A serious car accident can change everything in an instant. When painful injuries or lost wages impact your life, you may be unsure about where to turn. In these difficult moments, a St. Andrews car accident lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to provide you with valuable insight and guidance. With a proven track record of securing over $6 million for injured clients, we know how to maximize your recovery.
However, insurance companies rarely make it easy. Their goal is to minimize payouts, leaving accident victims fighting for scraps. You don’t have to accept less than you deserve. With a skilled St. Andrews personal injury lawyer on your side, you gain an advocate who knows how to confront insurers, prove negligence, and demand the full settlement you’re owed.
Common Car Accident Causes in St. Andrews
Car accidents in St. Andrews arise from many of the same factors as other road collisions, often compounded by local traffic patterns, narrow streets, and coastal weather conditions. One of the most prevalent causes is distracted driving, whether from mobile phones, GPS adjustments, or in-vehicle entertainment.
Other frequent causes of car crashes include:
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Intoxicated driving (alcohol or drugs)
- Driver fatigue from long commutes or shift work
- Failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections
- Unsafe lane changes and tailgating
- Running red lights, stop signs, or other traffic controls
- Adverse weather conditions (rain, fog, slick surfaces)
- Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and inadequate signage
- Vehicle defects or lack of regular maintenance
- Pedestrian and cyclist interactions in high-traffic areas
Many collisions also occur on narrow residential streets or at busy roundabouts, where sightlines are limited and reaction times are shortened. If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, it is essential to consult with a car accident lawyer in St. Andrews who knows how to investigate every contributing factor and pursue full compensation on your behalf.
Securing Fair Compensation
A serious car accident can turn your life upside down. Under South Carolina law, accident victims have the right to pursue compensation, but insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny valid claims. Avoid ending up bearing the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. You may be entitled to recover damages for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
Your attorney will gather critical evidence such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony to build the strongest possible case. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to undervalue claims, but do not settle for less than you deserve. Let a St. Andrews car accident attorney from Shelly Leeke Law Firm handle negotiations while you focus on recovery.
How Liability Works in Car Accidents
As your legal team, our first priority is determining who is legally responsible for your crash. This involves proving four key elements: First, we must show the other driver owed you a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely. Second, we demonstrate how they breached this duty through reckless actions like speeding, drunk driving, or distraction.
Third, we connect their negligence directly to the collision and your injuries. Finally, we document all resulting damages, from medical bills to lost wages. Some cases have clear liability, such as when a drunk driver runs a red light and causes a direct collision. However, many St. Andrews accidents involve shared fault, making liability more complex.
An experienced car accident attorney in St. Andrews will thoroughly investigate every accident to build the strongest liability case possible. Our team gathers police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction experts when needed. You can find examples of car accident settlements demonstrating our successful client advocacy.
Understanding Car Accident Laws in St. Andrews, SC
Victims of car accidents in St. Andrews must traverse South Carolina’s legal framework, which outlines driver responsibilities, liability rules, and victim rights. Understanding these regulations is crucial for protecting your rights and seeking fair compensation after a collision.
Duty to Stop and Exchange Information
Under South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-5-1230, drivers involved in an accident causing injury, death, or property damage must stop immediately and provide their name, address, vehicle registration, and driver’s license to involved parties and law enforcement. They must also render reasonable aid to injured individuals. South Carolina’s hit-and-run laws are strict: fleeing the scene is a misdemeanor punishable by fines or jail time.
If a driver is physically unable to report the accident, South Carolina Code § 56-5-1280 requires another occupant or the vehicle owner to file a report within five days. These laws ensure accountability and help victims pursue insurance claims or legal action against negligent drivers.
Moving Vehicles and Accident Scenes
Under South Carolina Code § 56-5-1210 & 1220, drivers must move disabled vehicles from traffic if possible unless the crash involves serious injury or death. Authorities may clear wreckage to restore traffic flow, but drivers will not face liability for moving vehicles unless they act recklessly. This prevents further accidents while preserving evidence for investigations.
However, in cases involving severe injuries or fatalities, vehicles must remain in place until law enforcement completes its investigation. Knowing these rules helps avoid legal complications and ensures proper documentation for insurance or court proceedings.
Uninsured or Unknown Motorist Claims
If a hit-and-run or uninsured driver causes your accident, South Carolina Code § 38-77-170 allows recovery under your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but only if you report the crash promptly and meet strict conditions. You must either have physical contact with the unknown vehicle, an independent witness affidavit, or footage of the accident. Delays or failure to report can jeopardize your claim.
If you are unsure whether you complied with the law, it is vital to seek guidance. We can help prove your case and negotiate with insurers to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Take Charge of Your Recovery Today with a St. Andrews Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident shouldn’t leave you struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and mounting stress. You deserve fair compensation for your injuries, and at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for it. We know South Carolina’s laws inside and out, and we’ll handle every legal detail while you focus on healing. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact us now for a free consultation and let us help you secure the justice and compensation you are owed. Your recovery starts here.
