West Ashley Car Accident Attorneys

Award-winning South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Help Those Injured in West Ashley Car Crashes

West Ashley is located in Charleston County, but its sense of place is unique. With a population of about 81,085 people, West Ashley offers a vibrant, growing community. And over 80 percent of West Ashley families rely on their cars for transportation to work and other events. 

A car accident turns your world upside-down. What began as an ordinary day ends as anything but. You may face significant pain and injury, damaged property, or, tragically, the loss of a loved one.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we’re here to help you pursue a positive future after your auto accident. We can help you determine who was at fault for your crash, negotiate with insurance companies, and hold negligent parties accountable. 

Life in West Ashley

West Ashley’s charm comes from several factors, many of which appeal to residents and workers of the neighborhood. 

West Ashley is growing. Since 2000, West Ashley’s population has increased by 65%. Today, West Ashley has a population of about 1,160 people per square mile, and the traffic congestion to match.

West Ashley households are small. The average household size in West Ashley is three people, and only 28 percent of households currently have children. Smaller households mean fewer people sharing vehicles, which can also increase traffic on local roads.

West Ashley values education. Over 90 percent of West Ashley adults have completed high school or an equivalent education program. Approximately 10 percent of these high school graduates went on to complete an associate degree; 26 percent finished their bachelor’s degree, and 12 percent hold a graduate or professional degree. An additional 19 percent have completed at least one college credit. 

For West Ashley’s children, Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary, Drayton Hall Elementary, Oakland Elementary, Springfield Elementary, St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science, and Stono Park Elementary offer the foundations of childhood education. Many students from C.E. Williams Middle School go on to attend West Ashley High School, which supports over 2,000 students in grades 9-12. Like their parents and families, these students rely on road transportation to and from school. Whether that is in the form of a carpool car ride, Uber or Lyft ride, or taking the school and local buses. This is why safe, careful driving is imperative for all who share the road.

West Ashley’s workforce is committed. About 82 percent of West Ashley workers hold “white-collar” jobs. The neighborhood’s median household income is about 1.3 times that of South Carolina as a whole, and its poverty rate is lower than the state average. West Ashley workers stay busy with their full-time and part-time jobs, which means they are constantly traveling across not just West Ashley, but to other parts of the Palmetto State.  

West Ashley offers more than work. West Ashley’s workforce is bright and committed, yet these workers know there’s more to life than their jobs. West Ashley offers a diverse mix of events and activities for all ages such as grabbing some fresh food from the West Ashley Farmer’s Market, taking a long walk or bike ride on the West Ashley Greenway, or hitting the sports fields, playground, pool, or dog park at West Ashley Park. Revitalizing the neighborhood’s central shopping and recreational districts continues to bring new restaurants, concerts, and similar events. 

Common Car Accident Locations in West Ashley

According to SCDPS, US-17 saw more fatal crashes in 2022 than any other Charleston County roadway. Eleven deaths, 26 serious injuries, and over 1,900 crashes occurred on US-17 in 2022. Several of these collisions occurred in West Ashley.

Other dangerous roadways include I-526. The interchange between I-526 and I-26 saw 106 crashes in 2022. Other stretches of I-526, including the interchange between I-526 and SC-461 and I-526 and US-61 (Paul Cantrell Blvd), have also been the site of recent collisions.

For example, between 2017 and 2021, SCDPS recorded 1,130 collisions on or near Paul Cantrell Boulevard and the I-526 ramps. Six deaths and 270 injuries resulted from these collisions over five years. Most occurred on the interstate; the most common cause was drivers traveling too fast for conditions, often in the rain.

Common Causes of Car Collisions in West Ashley

Many vehicle accidents are preventable. They result from drivers or other parties failing to take due care to prevent harm. Common causes of car crashes in West Ashley include drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving. 

Redevelopment Risks

West Ashley’s history stretches back over 300 years, but the current push for redevelopment focuses on today and the future. The West Ashley Revitalization Commission and the Charleston Planning Commission recently announced Plan West Ashley, an outline of policies, plans, and visions for the area.

Recent focus areas for Plan West Ashley include:

• Revitalizing the streetscape at Wappoo & Dupont, including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and boosting infrastructure safety. Work on improving drainage and stormwater management has also taken place over the past ten years.
• Creating “compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use neighborhoods” and establishing a greenbelt around Charleston – a plan known as the Long Savannah Master Plan.
• Executing the Ashley Landing Redevelopment Plan to create apartments, townhomes, restaurant and retail space, and six acres of green space. Work on this project broke ground in April 2025. Ashley Landing will replace several old businesses in West Ashley, including the Big Lots building and the former Piggly Wiggly on Sumar Street.
• Bringing life back to the former Citadel Mall location with medical research buildings, offices, houses, hotels, and an indoor sports center.

Many of these projects include efforts to make the streets safer. Creating space for people to walk and bike, improving intersections, and slowing traffic are key factors in many projects. However, construction can be confusing and distracting for drivers. Road and intersection updates create new traffic patterns that drivers must learn. Traveling through these spaces carefully is a must, and accidents can result from a lack of care.

Drunk Driving

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) estimates that in 2022, Charleston County experienced 33 drunk driving-related deaths. These deaths occurred in crashes involving a driver whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. SCDPS also estimates that 324 people suffered injuries in crashes involving alcohol or drug use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 32 percent of all traffic crash deaths result from drunk driving. South Carolina has one of the US’s highest rates of drunk driving deaths, with about 43 percent of deaths resulting from drunk driving.

Distracted Driving

SCDPS lists distracted driving as one of the top five causes of Charleston County car accidents in 2022. In 2022, distracted driving became a factor in three fatal Charleston County collisions and 30 serious injury collisions. SCDPS estimates that distracted driving caused or contributed to 3,429 crashes in Charleston County in 2022. 

South Carolina is the seventh-worst state in the US for distracted driving, according to the state’s Department of Insurance. On average, two crashes occur each hour involving a distracted driver in South Carolina. 

Speeding

“Speeding” includes exceeding a posted speed limit and driving too fast for road conditions. In 2022, “driving too fast for conditions” was a factor in 13 fatal crashes and 36 serious injury crashes in Charleston County. Speed caused or contributed to 1,853 collisions in Charleston County in 2022, per SCDPS. 

In 2023, speed played a role in 382 South Carolina roadway deaths. Another 14,718 South Carolina residents or visitors were injured in speeding-related crashes. Nationwide, the NHTSA estimates that one of every three roadway deaths involves a speeding driver. 

Other common causes of car accidents in West Ashley and throughout Charleston County include drivers failing to yield the right of way, tailgating the vehicle ahead of them, or making improper lane changes, or using the wrong lane.

Common Injuries That May Occur in a West Ashley Car Crash

A car crash can cause serious injuries. Common injuries that may occur in a vehicle collision include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Damage to the face, neck, or back
• Spinal cord and nervous system injuries
• Broken bones
• Damage to muscles and connective tissue
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Burn injuries
• Crush injuries or amputation(s)
• Scarring or disfigurement

An injured person may also experience post-traumatic stress symptoms following an accident. These symptoms can cause significant psychological distress and difficulty functioning in daily life. 

People outside a vehicle can also be injured in a collision. In 2022, Charleston County saw nine motorcyclist deaths, 17 pedestrian deaths, 3 bicyclist deaths, and the death of one moped operator on county roads.

Car Accident Statistics Across Charleston County

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), Charleston County recorded 16,104 traffic collisions in 2022, the highest number of any South Carolina county.  Charleston County also recorded one of the highest traffic crash rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. 

In 2022, Charleston County ranked fourth among South Carolina counties for fatal car crashes, with 57 deadly collisions. Charleston County ranked first for injury collisions, with 3,854 crashes causing at least one injury. 

Charleston County’s car accident statistics are similar to those posted nationwide. Collisions between two or more motor vehicles caused approximately 19,400 deaths on US roads in 2023, according to the National Safety Council. Crashes in which a car collided with an object, such as a guardrail or building, caused approximately 11,500 deaths. About 9,100 deaths occurred when a vehicle hit a pedestrian; another 1,400 involved a car hitting a bicyclist.

South Carolina Car Accident Lawsuit Basics

Navigating a car accident lawsuit can feel daunting. You’re already dealing with a serious injury, the loss of a loved one, or both. You may be unfamiliar with South Carolina’s court system or rules for injury lawsuits.

An experienced West Ashley car accident lawyer can help. Your attorney can help you understand how basic rules regarding deadlines, fault, and compensation apply to the facts in your case. 

Time Limits

The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in South Carolina is three years. If the case is not filed within three years, it may not be brought to court. 

The three-year period typically begins to run on the date of injury. Some exceptions exist, but they are limited to a few narrow situations. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your opportunity to file a claim. 

Determining Fault in a South Carolina Car Accident

When a car accident occurs, one of the first questions asked is, “Who was at fault?” 

Some states use a “no-fault” insurance system. In these systems, both drivers rely on their auto insurance first. They only seek compensation from another driver’s insurance in specific situations.

South Carolina is an “at-fault” state. Determining who is at fault for the crash also determines which insurance company pays for the damages caused. 

To show that another driver or party (the “defendant”) is at fault for a crash, an injured plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent harm but “breached” that duty (or failed to meet it). The plaintiff must show that this breach caused their injuries. 

Determining fault can be challenging. Insurance companies will typically argue that you were partly or wholly at fault for your injuries, reducing or eliminating their obligation to pay for your needs. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these arguments, investigate your claim, and build a case.

Compensation After a Vehicle Collision

A car accident lawsuit seeks compensation for the harm you suffered in a crash. Common types of compensation available after a car accident include:

• Medical expenses, including the costs of care you may need in the future,
• Lost past, present, and future wages,
• Property damage costs to repair/replace damaged property, like your vehicle,
• Rehabilitation or long-term care costs if your injuries require long-term support,
• Compensation for physical pain and suffering, as well as mental or emotional anguish resulting from any permanent disfigurement. 

If you lose a loved one in a vehicle collision, a wrongful death claim can seek compensation for many of these losses, like medical bills and damaged property. Surviving family members can also seek compensation for:

• Lost benefits
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Emotional distress
• The loss of a marital relationship or the loss of a loved one’s care and companionship
• Compensation for any conscious pain or suffering your loved one experienced before death 

To learn more, speak to an experienced West Ashley car accident lawyer today. 

Speak To an Experienced West Ashley Car Accident Injury Lawyer Today

Pursuing compensation after a car accident can be tough. All your time and energy is spent dealing with the aftermath of the crash. You may struggle to recover from serious injuries or be forced to juggle transportation issues. You may face financial hardship or carry the weight of grief over the sudden loss of a loved one.

If this sounds familiar, we’re here to help. The Steinberg Law Firm has represented injured people in Charleston and South Carolina since 1927. We’re here to commit our experience to your cause and pursue the compensation you deserve.

To learn more, contact us today. Call 843-720-2800 to schedule a free case review with a dedicated West Ashley car accident lawyer.