Driving accidents can occur at any time of the year, but seem to increase over the holidays and during the winter months. Drivers who are out celebrating or visiting may be unfamiliar with streets and roadways or may have indulged in a few drinks before getting behind the wheel. It gets dark earlier which can create problems with visibility, and rain, sleet, ice and snow can all make roads more dangerous. Either way, auto accidents increase at this time of the year, and can result in serious, potentially life threatening injuries. It is important to be aware of the hazards that exist for drivers over the winter months, as well as what you can do if you or a loved one is injured.
Winter Driving Accidents
Jump Ahead To
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that nearly six million car accidents occur each year in the United States, and over 20 percent of these accidents occur due to weather conditions. December and January in particular see a peak in car accident and injury rates, with wet and icy roads, poor tire traction, and decreased visibility being partly to blame for these accident. In addition to poor weather conditions, increases in drunk driving rates also make the winter months particularly hazardous. According to a December 2015 article in the Claims Journal , roughly one third of all car accidents that occur over the holidays and in the winter months can be attributed to drunk driving. Despite efforts from law enforcement, injuries caused by drunk driving accidents continue to kill close to one thousand drivers each year during the month of December alone.
Car Accident Claims
When you have been injured in a car accident, one of the first calls you receive will likely be from an insurance company asking for details both about the accident as well as your injuries. Before speaking with the insurance company, consult with our experienced car accident attorney. According to a report from automotive experts at Edmunds , while many claims adjusters themselves may want to offer you a fair settlement, they simply do not have the time or the resources to thoroughly research and investigate your claim. Under pressure from their supervisors to settle cases quickly while saving the company money, the result is that many claims are undervalued or even denied altogether. Before accepting an insurance company offer or settlement, make sure that you are getting the total amount of compensation you are entitled to for your injuries by consulting with our experienced attorney.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as the result of a car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney right away. At the Lauren Taylor Law, we provide aggressive legal representation for people injured in accidents as the result poor road conditions or due to another driver’s reckless or negligent driving. We can advise on how to deal with the insurance company, as well as assist you in filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Serving all of Upstate South Carolina, call or contact us online today for an initial consultation.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.