A Lexington, SC car accident lawyer provides the details
Speed is a major factor in whether a car accident causes serious injuries or worse. In South Carolina, speeding is a common factor in fatal crashes. Over the last 10 years, speeding was a factor in almost 40% of fatal South Carolina car accidents, according to a new study.
The number of deadly crashes has increased steadily during the years studied (2010-2019). The number of South Carolina speeding-related deaths was 288 the year the study started. Nearly 460 died in speed-related crashes in 2019.
Speeding is negligent driving behavior that puts you and others on the road at risk of a bad crash. When people make reckless decisions behind the wheel and cause injuries, it is important that they are held responsible.
The speed factor
For drivers who frequently go over the speed limit or drive too fast for road conditions, many of them admit that they don't think speeding is a "big deal." The damage that speeding causes, however, should not be brushed aside. Studies show that just a small increase in speed can greatly raise consequences.
A joint study by AAA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed the results of controlled crash tests at various speeds. They used dummies and popular vehicle types for their speed experiment.
Accidents at 50 mph or greater are far more likely to cause serious injuries to the head, neck, and right leg than collisions at speeds of 40 mph or slower, the study says.
Lexington's most dangerous intersections
Some areas of South Carolina are more prone to crashes than others. In Lexington, there are a handful of intersections on a list of "most dangerous intersections in the U.S."
Many of these locations are along Lake Drive (Highway 6) and involve more than 8 lanes of traffic. Most are near or at a highway on/off-ramp, where speeding is often a problem.
These intersections include:
- Glassmaster Road at S Lake Drive (SC-6)
- Columbia Avenue (US-378) at Dreher Street and N Lake Drive (SC-6)
- Sunshine Boulevard at Mallard Lakes Drive and State Road (SC-32/485)
- N Lake Drive (SC-6) at State Road (SC-32/485)
Operation Southern Shield
As one measure to address speeding, South Carolina is part of a program called "Operation Southern Shield." The goal is to stop fatal and injury-causing accidents by speeding drivers.
Law enforcement officers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee are a part of the program, which coordinates a crackdown on highway speeders. Typically, the campaign runs during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities spike. The program started in 2017.
In 2020, South Carolina law enforcement gave out more than 3,800 tickets and citations for speeding through Southern Shield. They also made 250 DUI arrests and issued 54 child safety citations, according to state data.
Help for injured crash victims in South Carolina
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. The problem is auto insurance companies are profit-driven and have a financial interest in paying crash victims as little money as possible.
That's why you need an attorney in your corner to look out for your best interests and fight for every dollar you deserve. At Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law, our car accident lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and discuss your legal options. We won't let an insurance adjuster push you around, and we will work to get the best possible outcome in your case.
Our personal injury law firm is located in Lexington and proudly serves clients throughout Lexington County and the surrounding area. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your potential legal case.
