Driving Dangers During the Holidays in South Carolina

The holiday season in South Carolina brings a sense of excitement and community. Families gather for Thanksgiving dinners, communities light up for Christmas, and friends celebrate the promise of a New Year. Yet, this festive period, marked by travel and celebration, also brings a significant increase in risks on our state’s roads. The combination of congested highways, festive distractions, and unpredictable weather creates a uniquely hazardous driving environment.

Why Are South Carolina Roads More Dangerous During the Holidays?

The period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day consistently sees a spike in traffic collisions. This is not a coincidence but the result of several converging risk factors that make driving during this time of year particularly treacherous.

• Increased Traffic Volume: Major corridors like I-95, I-26, and I-85 become packed with residents traveling to see family and tourists visiting destinations like Charleston and Myrtle Beach. This heavy congestion reduces stopping distances and increases the likelihood of multi-car pileups.
• Higher Rates of Impaired Driving: Holiday parties and gatherings often involve alcohol. Unfortunately, this leads to a higher number of drivers getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or other substances, dramatically increasing the risk of serious and fatal accidents.
• Distracted and Stressed Drivers: The pressure of the holidays can lead to rushed and distracted driving. People may be navigating with a GPS, talking on the phone with family, or trying to manage children excited in the back seat, taking their focus off the road.
• Challenging Weather Conditions: South Carolina weather can be unpredictable. While we may not always get snow, holiday travel can be impacted by heavy rain, dense fog in the Lowcountry, or black ice on bridges and overpasses, especially in the Upstate.
• Driver Fatigue: Many people attempt long-distance drives to visit relatives. Driving for hours without adequate rest impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

Common Causes of Holiday Car Accidents in South Carolina

While the general conditions contribute to the danger, most holiday accidents are caused by specific negligent actions. Recognizing these common causes is the first step toward avoiding them and holding at-fault drivers accountable.

• Drunk and Drugged Driving: This remains a leading cause of holiday wrecks. A driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely is severely compromised by alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement agencies across South Carolina, including the State Highway Patrol, often set up DUI checkpoints to combat this, but impaired drivers continue to pose a threat.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving: With tight schedules and crowded roads, many drivers become impatient. Speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes are common behaviors that stem from this holiday rush. A driver exceeding the speed limit has less time to react to sudden stops or hazards.
• Distracted Driving: Modern vehicles are full of potential distractions, and the holiday season adds more. A driver looking at a text message, adjusting a holiday music playlist, or reaching for a fallen gift is not paying attention to the road. This type of inattention is a frequent factor in rear-end collisions and intersection accidents.
• Drowsy Driving: The push to “get there” can cause drivers to ignore their body’s need for sleep. Fatigued driving can lead to drifting out of lanes, missing traffic signals, and even falling asleep at the wheel, resulting in high-speed, catastrophic collisions.

Where Do Holiday Accidents Frequently Occur in South Carolina?

While a collision can happen anywhere, certain areas in South Carolina see a higher concentration of accidents during the holidays.

• Major Interstates: I-95, I-26, I-77, and I-85 are the main arteries for holiday travel. The sheer volume of cars, combined with drivers unfamiliar with the area, makes these highways hotspots for serious accidents.
• Tourist and Shopping Areas: The roads around popular destinations like downtown Charleston, Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, and major shopping centers in Columbia and Greenville become heavily congested, leading to fender benders, parking lot accidents, and incidents involving pedestrians.
• Urban Intersections: Busy intersections in cities across the state are prone to accidents caused by drivers running red lights or making improper turns in a rush.
• Rural Roads: Many families travel on two-lane rural roads to reach relatives. These roads often have poor lighting, sharp curves, and fewer shoulders, making them dangerous, especially at night or in bad weather.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Holiday Collisions?

The force involved in a car accident can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to life-threatening. The compensation you may be entitled to recover is directly tied to the severity and long-term impact of these injuries.

Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord damage, potentially leading to paralysis
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Lacerations and disfigurement
• Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Seeking immediate medical attention after any accident is vital, as some serious injuries may not present symptoms right away.

How Does Speeding Impact Liability in a Holiday Accident?

When a driver causes a wreck while speeding, it fundamentally alters how fault is determined in South Carolina. The legal doctrine of negligence per se often applies. This principle states that if a person violates a safety law (like a speed limit) and causes the type of harm the law was meant to prevent, they are presumed to have been negligent. This can make proving your case more straightforward.

However, South Carolina also uses a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of the blame is 50% or less. Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but are found to be 10% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $90,000. Insurance companies often try to use this rule to shift blame and reduce what they have to pay.

What Steps Should You Take Immediately After a Holiday Car Wreck?

The actions you take in the minutes and hours after a collision are important for both your health and your ability to pursue a legal claim.

• Prioritize Safety: If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights. Check on yourself and your passengers for injuries.
• Call 911: Report the accident to the police and request emergency medical services, even if you think your injuries are minor.
• Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Capture the damage to all vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Also, get contact details for any witnesses.
• Speak with Law Enforcement: When the police arrive, give them a clear, factual account of what happened. If you believe the other driver was speeding, texting, or appeared impaired, state that to the officer.
• Seek Medical Attention: Go to the emergency room or see your doctor as soon as possible. This ensures your injuries are properly diagnosed and creates a medical record linking them to the accident.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or accept blame at the scene. Stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver and the police.

What Evidence Is Used to Prove Fault in a Holiday Accident Claim?

Building a strong personal injury claim requires solid evidence to establish that the other driver was at fault. A combination of different types of proof is often used.

• Police Accident Report: This official document provides the investigating officer’s initial findings, notes if any traffic tickets were issued, and may include witness statements.
• Eyewitness Testimony: Statements from other drivers or pedestrians who saw the crash can provide an unbiased account of the at-fault driver’s actions.
• Vehicle “Black Box” Data: Many modern cars have an Event Data Recorder (EDR) that captures information like speed, braking, and steering in the moments before a crash.
• Accident Reconstruction Analysis: In complex cases, a professional may be hired to analyze physical evidence to scientifically determine how the accident occurred and the speeds involved.
• Surveillance Footage: Video from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or doorbell cameras can offer undeniable proof of a driver’s negligence.

How Do Insurance Companies Approach Holiday Accident Claims?

Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, and their primary objective is to protect the company’s financial interests by minimizing claim payouts. Even when their insured driver is clearly at fault, they may use certain tactics to reduce the value of your claim.

They might:

• Dispute the Severity of Your Injuries: An adjuster could argue your injuries were pre-existing or are not as serious as you claim.
• Shift Blame to You: They will look for any opportunity to assign you a percentage of fault under the comparative negligence rule.
• Offer a Quick, Low Settlement: Insurers often make a low initial offer shortly after the accident, hoping you will accept it before you know the full extent of your injuries and damages.
• Use Your Statements Against You: They may ask for a recorded statement and use leading questions to get you to say something that undermines your claim. It is wise to speak with an attorney before providing any recorded statement.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Collision?

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of losses, which are typically divided into two categories.

Economic Damages: These are the verifiable financial losses you have suffered.

• All past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Cost to repair or replace your vehicle

Non-Economic Damages: These are intangible losses related to the human impact of the accident.

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and mental distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases where the at-fault driver’s conduct was exceptionally reckless, such as in a drunk driving accident, it may also be possible to pursue punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer.

Contact Our South Carolina Car Accident Legal Team

Collisions caused by negligent drivers during the holidays can lead to serious injuries and complex legal challenges. Navigating South Carolina’s laws while dealing with insurance companies requires a detailed and determined approach. The legal team at Nowell Law Firm is dedicated to helping injured individuals hold careless drivers accountable and pursue the full compensation they deserve. We know the physical, emotional, and financial toll an accident can take, and we are here to provide the guidance and advocacy you need. If you have been injured in an auto accident in South Carolina, do not wait to seek legal assistance. 

Schedule a consultation to discuss your case by calling us at 864-707-1785 or by reaching out to us online.