Charleston Car Accident Attorney

Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle

Under South Carolina law, those injured in car accidents are entitled to claim damages, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and compensation for pain and suffering. South Carolina operates under a "fault" system, meaning that the party who is deemed to be at fault for the accident is liable for any resulting harm. This makes it crucial to have experienced legal representation to assist in establishing fault and seeking compensation.

At Romeo Deters, we handle a broad spectrum of car accident claims, including but not limited to:

• Rear-End Collisions: Frequently caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden deceleration of the leading vehicle. These can result in injuries ranging from whiplash to more severe spinal cord injuries.
• Hit & Run Accidents: Occur when the at-fault driver leaves the scene without providing their details. These cases can be complex, but our experience can help track down the driver or seek compensation through uninsured motorist coverage.
• Rollover Accidents: Often caused by high-speed collisions or hitting a curb or guardrail. These can lead to severe or fatal injuries due to the violent nature of the rollover.
• T-Bone Accidents: Occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. Often caused by failure to yield, they can result in serious injuries due to the lack of structural protection on the side of vehicles.
• Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Involving large trucks, buses, taxis, or other commercial vehicles. These cases often involve multiple parties and require extensive knowledge of commercial vehicle regulations.

Understanding South Carolina Car Accident Laws

Understanding the specific laws and regulations governing car accidents in South Carolina is crucial. At Romeo Deters, our knowledgeable legal team offers valuable insights into these state laws and how they may affect your car accident claim.

These are some of the main South Carolina rules that may affect a car accident claim:

• Comparative negligence laws: South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means your recovery can be reduced if you are found partially at fault.
• Statute of limitations: Injury claims generally must be filed within a limited time frame under South Carolina law, or you may lose the right to pursue compensation.
• Mandatory reporting requirements: Certain collisions, such as those involving injury or significant property damage, must be reported to law enforcement.
• Minimum insurance requirements: Drivers are required to carry specific minimum levels of liability and uninsured motorist coverage in South Carolina.

By familiarizing yourself with these laws, you can make well-informed decisions about your car accident case and safeguard your rights. Reach out to our Charleston office right away for customized legal advice for your unique circumstances.

Local Support for Truck Wreck Victims in Charleston

Charleston, with its bustling port and busy highways, sees a significant amount of commercial truck traffic. Unfortunately, this also means a higher risk of truck wrecks, which can lead to severe injuries and complex legal challenges. At Romeo Deters, we understand the unique difficulties faced by truck wreck victims in Charleston and are here to help you navigate the aftermath.

Our team is familiar with local resources and government entities such as the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the Charleston Police Department, which play crucial roles in accident reporting and investigation. We use their resources and data to build strong cases for our clients.

Truck wrecks in Charleston often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and sometimes even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts. This complexity requires a thorough understanding of both state and federal regulations governing commercial vehicles. Our legal team is adept at untangling these intricate cases to help ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.

Local residents know that Charleston's roads, such as I-26 and US-17, can be particularly hazardous due to heavy truck traffic. Accidents on these routes can lead to significant disruptions and long-term consequences for victims. We are committed to helping our clients recover not just financially, but also physically and emotionally, by providing comprehensive legal support tailored to the specific challenges of truck wrecks in our area.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Charleston

Understanding the common causes of car accidents in Charleston can help promote safer driving practices. Charleston's unique mix of tourism traffic, local commutes, and commercial transport creates a varied traffic environment. Contributing factors to accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield. Distracted driving remains a prevalent issue, often involving the use of mobile devices while operating a vehicle.

Other factors include weather conditions, particularly during hurricane season, which can lead to reduced visibility and hazardous road surfaces. Familiarity with these common causes and maintaining vigilance on the roads can be instrumental in reducing accident rates. At Romeo Deters, we offer guidance not only for those involved in accidents but also in preventive measures to help keep the community safer.

Damages You May Recover After a Charleston Car Accident

After a serious collision, many people are unsure what their claim might actually cover or how far a settlement can go toward rebuilding their lives. Understanding the types of damages that may be available helps you plan for medical care, time away from work, and long-term needs. South Carolina law allows injured people to seek compensation for both financial losses and the ways a crash has changed their daily lives.

In a typical claim, recoverable damages may include past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and the expense of medications or medical equipment. Many of our clients also face reduced earning capacity if they cannot return to the same kind of work they did before the wreck. In Charleston, this can be especially challenging for people employed in physically demanding jobs tied to the port, tourism, or construction, where an injury may limit lifting, standing, or repetitive motions.

We also help clients pursue compensation for non-economic harms, such as ongoing pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of activities they once valued. In some situations, spouses may have separate claims for the impact the injuries have on the relationship. When a crash in the Charleston area leads to a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death or survival action, which follows specific procedures in the South Carolina courts. By carefully documenting each way the collision has affected you, we build a clearer picture of what fair compensation should look like.

Our Process for Handling Charleston Car Accident Claims

Knowing what to expect from the legal process can relieve some of the anxiety that follows a serious crash. We follow a structured but personalized approach, so you always understand what is happening with your case and why certain steps are being taken. From the first phone call, our goal is to listen carefully, explain your options in plain language, and begin protecting your rights right away.

In most Charleston cases, we start by gathering key documents such as police reports from the Charleston Police Department or the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, medical records, and any available photos or videos. We then investigate liability by reviewing the crash scene, speaking with witnesses, and, when necessary, consulting with professionals in areas like accident reconstruction or vocational loss. This meticulous preparation helps us identify all potentially responsible parties and any insurance policies that may apply, including underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.

Once we have a solid understanding of your injuries and how they affect your daily life, we prepare a detailed demand package for the insurance company. We keep you informed about all offers, explain the pros and cons of settlement versus litigation, and give you space to ask questions before any decision is made. If the insurer refuses to be reasonable, we are prepared to file suit in the appropriate South Carolina court and continue building your case through discovery, depositions, and, when needed, trial. Throughout this process, we remain available to update you on timelines and next steps so you never feel left in the dark.