If you or someone you care about was injured in a car accident in South Carolina, you may not know where to turn for guidance. The stress of medical expenses, doctors’ appointments, and possibly not being able to return to work can be a lot to take on, especially if you are also trying to negotiate with the at fault driver’s insurance company to receive a full, fair settlement. Our South Carolina car accident attorney is here to help you.
Living in a world where multi-tasking is encouraged, so many South Carolina drivers get behind the wheel and fail to focus fully on the one thing—driving—that should receive 100 percent of their concentration.
This is what is commonly referred to as distracted driving, our personal injury lawyer says. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3,100 people died in the U.S. in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2017.
What are examples of distracted driving?
When people think of distracted driving, they immediately think of people texting on their cell phones. However, there are so many different things that can take a driver's attention away from the road:
- Typing a destination into the GPS
- Grooming (putting on makeup, brushing your hair, etc.)
- Talking to other passengers in the car
- Chatting on your cell phone
- Texting on your cell phone, including updating Facebook or Twitter
- "Rubber-necking," or trying to catch a glimpse of scenery or an accident on the road
- Eating while driving
Distracted Driving Laws in South Carolina
In the past few years, incidents where a driver has been using a cell phone or other mobile device have received a lot of attention. Many states have begun to institute laws regarding cell phone use. In 2014, South Carolina banned texting and driving, but the penalty is just a $25 fine and officers often have a difficult time enforcing the law because drivers claim they're simply using a GPS or controlling their music. In 2019, South Carolina lawmakers attempted to pass a hands-free law but were unsuccessful. Many people are pushing for statewide distracted-driving laws; we will be monitoring developments closely.