Charleston, South Carolina Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

Wrongful Death Attorneys For Families of Car Wreck Victims

There are few experiences as difficult and life-changing as losing a loved one in a fatal car accident. In addition to the monumental task of grieving a sudden loss, the victim’s family must also face a host of other new challenges at the same time. The financial losses can be devastating and there are countless other aspects of life that will never be the same after a fatal car accident.

If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, first accept our sincerest condolences. We understand how hard it is to recover from a sudden loss and that it is something that can never truly be understood. As the surviving family members of the victim, you may be entitled to take legal action under South Carolina law and could potentially receive a sizeable financial settlement. Although money will never replace what you have lost, it can ease some of the financial burdens created by a fatal car accident.

South Carolina Accident Statistics

The number of fatal traffic accidents has increased over recent years across the country. South Carolina has historically had an accident fatality rate much higher than the national average. In 2019, around 38,800 people were killed in traffic accidents in the United States. More than 1,030 of those fatalities occurred on South Carolina roadways.

Fifty-five percent of fatal accidents in South Carolina are single vehicle crashes. Sixty-six percent of them happen in rural areas and 34 percent on urban streets. There are many factors that influence a fatal traffic accident, such as alcohol, weather, road conditions, maintenance or structural issues and more. Sometimes, in the most senseless cases, an accident is caused by the negligence of another. An investigation into a fatal accident will be conducted to determine exactly what caused it to happen and who might be responsible.

No one expects for a loved one to be included in a statistic like this one. Of course, each person included in these figures is much more than a number. They leave behind families and friends with lives that will never be quite the same, and who deserve to be able to hold the individuals or companies that contributed to the accident that took their loved one accountable.

Determining Negligence
Negligence on the road can be many things. Common forms of negligence that cause a fatal traffic accident include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting, using social media, talking on the phone, or taking photos or videos while driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including marijuana, sleep medications, and prescription or over the counter medications
• Reckless driving, such as speeding, running stop signs and lights, unsafe passing and more
• Drowsy driving and falling asleep at the wheel

Often in cases involving an accident with a commercial or company vehicle, the negligence potentially lies with or is shared by the company or individual that owns, schedules, loads, maintains or repairs the vehicle. This is why a full investigation into the cause of the accident is crucial to support a wrongful death claim after a fatal traffic accident.

Potential Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

The money awarded in a wrongful death case after a fatal vehicle accident is for compensatory damages. These include the financial costs and losses incurred as a result of the loss of the accident victim. For example, medical bills, funeral and burial costs, lost income, loss of consortium and even for the emotional suffering of the victim’s family.

Again, no amount of money can replace a lost loved one. However, a financial settlement can help cover the family’s immediate and future needs and allow them to focus on grieving and healing. An attorney can help the family calculate their losses and projected needs. It is important to consult an attorney with experience in car accident fatality cases before accepting a payout from an insurance company, as the family is often entitled to more than insurance will offer. These companies are notorious for paying families as little as possible.

In South Carolina, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the executor or administrator of the victim’s estate. Any money awarded will then be distributed to heirs, often a spouse and children or surviving parents.

How Steinberg Law Firm Can Help after a Fatal Car Accident

Our team of understanding attorneys have years of experience handling traffic accident fatality cases. Before you make any decisions about how to move forward, contact Steinberg Law Firm for a free consultation. Our attorneys will work toward the best outcome possible for you and your family. We work on a contingency fee basis and there is no fee until you win your case. Call us at (843) 720-2800 to speak with a member of our team.