Auto Crash Attorney Near Me

 

A crash can turn your day upside down and leave you wondering what to do next. Your auto crash attorney near me law firm from Joe Cunningham Law, can help you figure out where to start and what steps to take to protect your rights. 

Attorney Joe Cunningham is the only former congressperson currently practicing law in Charleston, South Carolina, and since founding our firm in 2018, our Charleston, SC personal injury lawyers have been helping people across the state get the answers and support they deserve. Give us a call when you are ready to take the first step.

Common Causes of Crashes Our Auto Crash Lawyer in Charleston, SC Near You Sees Most Often

Charleston’s traffic can be a challenge, especially in busy areas like I-26, the Ravenel Bridge, or downtown intersections packed with tourists and delivery drivers. Whether you are heading to work or running errands near King Street, collisions often happen in places where people rush or stop paying attention. 

Drivers in South Carolina are required to remain at the scene and exchange information after a crash, as stated in South Carolina Code § 56-5-1210. Unfortunately, not every driver follows the rules. Here are some of the most common causes your auto crash attorney in Columbia, SC sees in crash reports and client stories every week:

• Distracted driving is one of the most frequent causes of collisions we handle.
• Speeding increases both the chance of a crash and the severity of injuries.
• Drivers who run red lights often cause side-impact crashes in intersections.
• Tailgating leads to rear-end collisions that can cause neck and back injuries.
• Unsafe lane changes put motorcyclists and small cars at high risk.
• Drunk driving accidents often happen at night or on weekends when visibility is already reduced.
• Drowsy driving leads to serious crashes, especially during early mornings or late nights.
• Failure to yield causes many crashes at roundabouts, crosswalks, and merge points.
• Inexperienced drivers can panic and make unpredictable decisions behind the wheel.

Each of these crash types can bring its own set of challenges when it comes to insurance claims, fault, and recovery. For example, drunk driving accidents often involve both criminal charges and civil liability, which can affect how compensation is pursued. 

In motorcycle accidents, the injuries tend to be more severe, and we often see issues with drivers failing to notice bikes in time. Your personal injury lawyer with our firm can help you work through the details, connect with the right experts, and make sure nothing gets missed while you focus on healing.

How Rear-End Crashes on I-26 Are Handled by Our Auto Crash Lawyer

If you have ever driven on I-26, you know how quickly things can go from smooth to stressful. Between stop-and-go traffic, lane shifts, and impatient drivers, rear-end crashes are a regular occurrence that we see on this interstate. These wrecks may seem straightforward, but they often come with legal questions about speed, following distance, and who is really at fault.

Drivers in South Carolina are expected to keep a safe distance and adjust their speed based on traffic conditions, as explained in South Carolina Code § 56-5-1520. When someone follows too closely or brakes too late, that failure often leads to a collision. Our auto crash attorney knows how to look at the details, sort through the facts, and help you determine what really matters for your case.

What Makes Rear-End Crashes So Common on the Interstate

I-26 moves fast, but traffic patterns change in an instant. One minute you are cruising along, and the next you are hitting your brakes behind a long line of stopped cars. Rear-end crashes happen all the time when drivers are distracted, speeding, or just not paying attention to how quickly the flow can shift.

Your auto crash attorney in Columbia, SC sees this a lot near interchanges, construction areas, and entrance ramps where traffic slows or merges. A lot of people assume they have enough space, but even a small misjudgment at highway speeds can cause a serious chain reaction. These accidents are common, but that does not mean they are simple. Every detail counts.

What Rideshare Accident Claims Look Like in South Carolina

Uber and Lyft accidents are different from other types of crashes because the type of insurance coverage available changes depending on what the driver was doing at the time. South Carolina uses a tiered insurance system for rideshare companies, so the moment the app is opened or a ride begins can make a big difference. 

We help you identify where your case fits and what kind of coverage may apply based on the tiered insurance system for rideshare claims, required under South Carolina Code § 58-23-1610(5). Here are some of the common situations we look at when reviewing rideshare accidents:

• The driver had the app open but was not actively matched with a passenger.
• The driver was on their way to pick someone up after accepting a ride request.
• The driver was in transit with a passenger already in the car.
• The crash happened while the rideshare driver was waiting near a hotspot for a new fare.
• The driver was using the app in the background while running personal errands.
• The accident occurred during a multi-stop ride with a group of passengers.

These claims can get complicated quickly because multiple insurance policies may be involved. Personal insurance, company-provided coverage, and even third-party carriers all have different limits and conditions based on timing and app activity. That is why rideshare accidents require a strategic legal approach. Our auto crash attorney in Charleston, SC from Joe Cunningham Law knows how to dig into these layered policies and protect your rights.

Types of Collisions That Often Involve Catastrophic Injuries

Certain types of crashes carry a much higher risk of serious injury, especially on highways like I-26. The speed, traffic flow, and size differences between vehicles can make even a moment of distraction incredibly dangerous. Our firm sees some crash types far more often in cases involving catastrophic outcomes, and we know how to break down what caused them and what that means for your recovery.

Drivers are expected to follow posted speed limits and adjust for road and traffic conditions, as outlined in South Carolina Code § 56-5-1520. When those limits are ignored, the impact force increases, and so does the chance of life-altering injuries.

Rear-End Wrecks at Interstate Speeds

Rear-end crashes happen everywhere, but the injuries are far more serious when they occur on highways like I-26. At high speeds, the forward momentum of the striking vehicle transfers directly into the car ahead. This can cause your body to jolt forward, snap back, and absorb more force than it would in a lower-speed crash.

Even a relatively “simple” rear-end wreck can leave you with broken bones, head injuries, or spinal cord injuries that affect your ability to work or care for yourself. We work with crash reconstruction experts and medical professionals to fully understand the damage these wrecks can cause. When speed is a factor, the stakes are higher, and your case deserves careful attention.

Rollover Crashes and Spinal Trauma

Rollover accidents are especially violent and often lead to spinal cord injuries. They usually involve a taller or top-heavy vehicle like an SUV or van, but even smaller cars can flip if struck at the right angle or if the driver loses control. These crashes are more likely when someone is speeding, overcorrects, or swerves off the road.

When a vehicle rolls, the roof can collapse, or passengers may be thrown around inside. Brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding are all common outcomes. Recovery from these injuries takes time, support, and resources that insurance companies may not offer willingly. We know what these cases look like and how to build the kind of evidence that shows exactly how serious the damage really is.

Your Auto Crash Lawyer Sees Many Multi-Car Pileups in Columbia, SC

If you drive through Columbia during morning or evening rush hour, you know how quickly traffic can back up. A single sudden stop on I-20, I-26, or near the Broad River Road exits can cause a chain reaction involving several vehicles in just a few seconds. These multi-car crashes get complicated fast, especially when everyone involved tells a different version of what happened.

Chain-reaction crashes, for example, almost always start with one driver who is distracted, speeding, or following too closely. On a packed roadway, the driver behind them has very little time to react. Once the first impact happens, it usually sets off a chain of rear-end crashes involving multiple cars that cannot stop in time.

These pileups are especially common during peak traffic hours or when weather reduces visibility. Everyone is moving fast, close together, and often distracted. It only takes one misstep to affect several cars and multiple families. Your auto crash lawyer in Columbia, SC with Joe Cunningham Law, is here to guide you through the claims process.

Your Auto Crash Lawyer Handles Hit-and-Runs in Charleston and Columbia

Getting hit by another driver is difficult enough. However, when the driver who struck you takes off, the stress and uncertainty can be overwhelming. We help you take the right legal steps after a hit-and-run so you are not left handling everything on your own.

South Carolina law requires drivers to stop, share their information, and help anyone who was hurt. When someone leaves the scene, they are not just being irresponsible. Under South Carolina Code § 56-5-1270, they may also be facing serious criminal penalties. We work with victims of hit-and-runs in both Charleston and Columbia to make sure their rights are protected from the very start.

We also look at the vehicle damage, paint transfers, and any parts left behind at the scene. Those small details can help identify the make and model of the car that hit you. Sometimes, we work with local authorities to compare findings with reports of similar accidents. Whether you suffered bruises, broken bones, burn injuries, or brain injuries, we help you gather the evidence needed to tell your side of the story clearly and confidently.

Crash Liability and Comparative Fault on South Carolina Roads

When more than one driver is involved in a crash, figuring out who is responsible is not always clear. South Carolina uses a comparative fault system, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. 

The law explained in South Carolina Code § 15-38-15 adjusts compensation based on how much each driver contributed to the crash. If you are found to be less than 50% at fault, you may still receive payment. Anything higher than that, and you may not be eligible to recover damages. Here are some of the factors we look at when figuring out who was at fault:

• Statements made at the scene are often used by insurance companies to decide liability.
• Video footage from traffic cameras or dash cams can help show what really happened.
• Police reports give an official breakdown of how the crash occurred and who may have been cited.
• Witness interviews can fill in the gaps and add credibility to your version of events.
• Vehicle damage patterns help show the direction, speed, and position of each car.

If you are found partially at fault, that does not mean you are out of options. It simply means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 20%. Our team helps make sure that the percentage is accurate and fair. Your auto crash lawyer in Columbia, SC with Joe Cunningham Law, will focus on protecting your rights every step of the way. 

Contact Joe Cunningham Law for our Auto Crash Attorney Near Me Law Firm

A crash is stressful enough without having to chase down help. An auto crash attorney near you from Joe Cunningham Law will answer your questions, handle the insurance calls, and give you space to focus on feeling better. When you are ready to talk with someone who understands what you are going through, contact us to get started.