Two Electrocuted While Responding to Orangeburg Car Accident

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A fatal car accident that took the life of one of the individuals in the wrecked vehicle also claimed the lives of two others who were helping at the scene, a WISTV Channel 10 news  article reported. According to law enforcement officials, the auto accident occurred when one car tried to pass another car on Highway Four and overcorrected when the driver realized he or she had pulled onto the path of an oncoming vehicle, causing the car to drive off the side of the road. The car hit a telephone pole before crashing into a tree.

The accident had occurred late Saturday night. For this reason, the four people who drove to the scene in the darkness of the night to help the victims (some of whom were friends) did not see the downed powerline. Tragically, two of the four were fatally electrocuted while the remaining two suffered severe burns.

Time Limits for Filing Suit

As can be seen by the Orangeburg tragedy, there several different types of accidents that may cause minimal to serious personal injury to the individuals involved. Unfortunately, sometimes these accidents result in the death of one or several people.  Some types of accidents include:

  • Car accidents;
  • Motorcycle accidents;
  • Boating accidents;
  • SUV rollovers;
  • Truck accidents; and
  • Pedestrian and bicyclist injuries.

South Carolina law governs the time limits under which a personal injury case may be filed in court and addresses car accidents in particular. In other words, if a victim fails to file a lawsuit within the specified time frame, his or her case will be barred simply by the passage of time.

Important deadlines in the South Carolina Code include sections:

  • 15-3-530(5) – a suit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident for filing a personal injury suit; and
  • 15-3-530(4) – a suit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident for filing a property damage suit.

Due to the importance of these deadlines, it is essential to contact an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney right away.

How Fault Affects Damages

It is not uncommon for a defendant (or defendants) to argue the injured victim was responsible, at least in part, for the car accident. If this argument is successful, the amount of compensation a plaintiff may receive can change. In fact, there are various ways to determine fault in an car accident matter. According to South Carolina law, courts follow what is known as a “modified comparative negligence” rule. Under this legal rule, the total amount of monetary compensation a plaintiff initiating a personal injury case may receive is reduced by the amount equal to the percentage he or she is found to be at fault for the accident. Under this rule, should a jury find that the percentage of fault is 50 percent or higher, the plaintiff will not be able to collect any compensation.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Anderson

An injured party’s best offense in a car accident lawsuit is the strength of the evidence. This is especially true when the possibility of reduced or eliminated compensation is a viable option. With the help of a seasoned and aggressive car accident attorney, a compelling case can be presented either during settlement negotiations or at trial. Skilled advocacy is key when maximizing the potential damages available. Servicing the entire state of South Carolina, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA will fight hard on your behalf. Contact the firm at (864) 932- 3001 today for your initial case evaluation.

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