Who Is Responsible For a Sports Injury At School?

More than 60,000 boys and 35,000 girls play high school sports in South Carolina. Hundreds of thousands more participate in sports as a part of physical education classes. Every one of them risks injury.

As parents, we know we cannot watch over our children at all times. Yet, we also know that other adults have responsibility for children under their supervision. Coaches, trainers, teachers, and schools as institutions that formally supervise children act in the place of a parent and may bear responsibility if a child suffers a sports injury because of their negligence.

Bumps, bruises, and even strains or sprains are often part of the game in high school sports. But if your child suffers a serious injury such as a broken bone, concussion or more severe TBI, or heat stroke, then it is prudent to ask questions and have an attorney review the circumstances. If a teacher or coach’s failure to provide adequate supervision played a part in a youth’s sports injury, the child and their parents may have a right to seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses.

Our compassionate attorneys at Joye Law Firm can help you evaluate whether a sports injury was a preventable injury caused by the negligence of someone supervising the activities or by unsafe athletic fields or playgrounds. Joye Law Firm has been helping injured people in South Carolina for more than 50 years. If we believe that you have a valid sports injury lawsuit, we can help you seek compensation for your child’s medical bills and related expenses. Our goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of people who turn to us for help.

Call Joye Law Firm at 888-324-3100 or fill out our online form to set up a free discussion of your case.

Likelihood of Sports Injuries at School

Each year, more than 3.5 million sports injuries cause injured student-athletes to lose some participation time, according to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The highest rates of injury occur in sports that involve physical contact, such as football, soccer, and basketball. Sports and recreational activities contribute to approximately 21% of all traumatic brain injuries among American children.

Most injuries related to organized sports occur during practice. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says teenage athletes are injured at about the same rate as professional athletes. But injuries in high school athletes are often different from those in adult athletes. This is because many high school athletes are still growing.

Growth is generally uneven in teens: bones grow first, which pulls at tight muscles and tendons. This growth pattern makes teenage athletes more susceptible to muscle, tendon, and growth plate injuries. Injuries to the growth plate can result in disturbances to bone growth and bone deformity.

High school sports injuries can cause problems that require surgery as an adult and may lead to arthritis later in life, the AAOS says.

Types of Injuries Typical in School Sports

The AAOS says injuries among young athletes are generally either overuse injuries or acute injuries, which are caused by a sudden trauma such as collisions between players. Common injuries among young athletes include:

• Concussions, which are mild brain injuries caused by a blow to the head or body that results in the brain moving rapidly back and forth inside the skull
• Severe injuries to the head and neck that may cause damage to the brain or spinal cord, which could lead to paralysis
• Bone fractures
• Sprains, a partial or complete tear of a ligament
• Strains, a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon
• Knee injuries, including injuries to ligaments and tendons.
• Achilles tendon injuries, trauma to the thick, corded tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel
• Joint dislocations that force the ends of your bones out of position
• Rotator cuff injuries caused by repetitive motion involving the shoulder, such as in tennis, swimming, baseball, or football

Heat-related illness is a risk if children involved in sports are not properly supervised. Children who are playing or practicing in hot weather must take breaks and drink water to maintain proper hydration.

Heat stroke is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when an individual’s core body temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include:

• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Behavioral changes like confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizure or fainting

If your child has suffered a heat stroke or a head injury while participating in sports activities in South Carolina, have a knowledgeable sports injury attorney at Joye Law Firm review the circumstances of the injury. The consultation is free.

Suing a School or Educators for Student-Athlete Injuries

Athletes assume a risk of injury, but the law treats children differently than adults when it considers responsibility for their own actions.

Coaches, trainers, and others responsible for school sports have an obligation for the safety of children they directly or indirectly supervise. This means ensuring student-athletes:

• Have and know how to use protective gear
• Understand and abide by game rules about physical contact with other players
• Are reasonably fit before competing or practicing intensely
• Compete with players of similar size, weight, age, and capability
• Are not pushed beyond reasonable limits during practice and games
• Take scheduled breaks from activity, particularly in hot weather, and remain hydrated
• Are removed from participation and properly examined and treated when injured.

South Carolina’s Student Athlete Concussions Law outlines requirements for restricting injured athletes from S.C. High School League-sanctioned events and practice after a diagnosis of a concussion. The S.C. High School League also has protocols for hydration, heat stress, and athletic participation. In short, these risks are known and rules are in place to mitigate them.

There may be a valid cause for a legal claim if educators in supervisory positions responsible for an injured child’s play ignored policies and procedures, failed to properly equip or instruct the child, neglected signs of injury, or failed to obtain proper care and rest for the injured athlete.

Under South Carolina law, if your child is harmed while in the care of a public school, the school district may be held liable. It’s important to recognize that public schools have sovereign immunity. But South Carolina’s Tort Claims Acts grants injured individuals certain rights. Legal actions involving public schools often have reduced time limits for filing a claim. That makes it crucial to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to review the sports injury.

A seriously injured child may require extensive medical care and special requirements for education and other needs as they recover. In cases of long-term, disabling, or disfiguring injuries, a claim would seek compensation for ongoing medical needs, the costs of adaptive tools and equipment, and special education requirements.

Contact Our S.C. School Sports Injury Lawyers

If your child has suffered a sports-related injury in an accident that could have been prevented, your family may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses, including your child’s pain and suffering.

The sports injury attorneys of Joye Law Firm in South Carolina can provide you with a free and confidential consultation about your injured child’s case. Contact the Joye Law Firm now at 888-324-3100 or fill out our online case evaluation form.

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How to Win a Truck Accident Lawsuit

If you have been severely injured in a South Carolina truck accident, you may have a right to take legal action against the truck driver or other at-fault party to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident expenses. You will need experienced legal guidance to have the best chance of obtaining fair compensation after a truck accident in South Carolina.

The South Carolina truck accident lawyers at Joye Law Firm have more than 250+ years of combined experience helping those who have been injured by the negligence of others seek justice. While we can never guarantee a win in any personal injury case, our attorneys have handled many truck accident claims and resolved many cases in our clients’ favor.

While past results are not predictive of the outcome of future cases, we are proud of our record of results because they indicate the effort we made on behalf of injured people who needed help—people just like you. The results also show our experience handling complex cases. Call 888-324-3100 for a free case review and discussion of your legal rights.

Keep reading to learn more about what it takes to have the best chance of winning a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina.

Steps You Should Take After a Truck Accident

To increase your chances of winning a South Carolina trucking accident lawsuit, you should take certain steps after a truck accident:

• Be sure to get the truck driver’s name, personal insurance information, the name of the driver’s employer, and their company insurance information. To file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you will need this information.
• After calling 911 to report the accident, take photos of the accident scene, if possible. Get photos of the damage to all the vehicles involved and anything in the area that might have contributed to the accident. Evidence from the truck accident scene often plays a crucial role in a lawsuit. You want to gather as much evidence as you can.
• Seek medical treatment right away. You want a doctor to document your injuries as soon as possible after the accident.
• Save your medical records and proof of lost income related to the accident. These documents are evidence of your losses. You will need them to maximize your compensation.
• Do not give any recorded statements to insurance companies until you have spoken to a trucking accident attorney. Insurance companies are looking for reasons to deny or minimize claims. You need to maintain strict control over the information you provide insurers. An attorney can handle communications with the insurance adjuster on your behalf.
• Speak to a lawyer. A truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident and move quickly to preserve evidence before it is lost. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better the chance an attorney will have of finding evidence to support your case.

How to Win a Truck Accident Lawsuit

To win a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina, you must prove the truck driver or another party was negligent, and their negligence caused your injuries.

The potentially at-fault parties in a truck accident lawsuit include:

• The truck driver — There are many ways a truck driver can cause an accident. Examples of truck driver negligence include drunk driving, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, speeding, failing to check blind spots, following too closely, and reckless driving.
• The trucking company — Trucking companies are required to make sure the drivers they employ have adequate training, licensing and experience to handle a large truck safely. Trucking companies should screen their drivers for any past incidents that might indicate the driver is unsafe such as prior arrests for drunk driving. A trucking company may be held financially liable for the negligent actions of its employee.
• Vehicle and parts manufacturers — A 18-wheeler is made from thousands of individual parts. If a critical component or safety system fails, an accident could occur. The company that made the defective part that caused the accident may be held financially liable.
• Cargo loaders — A company that had the responsibility of loading cargo into a truck trailer may be legally responsible if the truck’s cargo comes loose or shifts in transit and causes an accident.

Tips for Developing Your Truck Accident Case

Here are some tips for navigating the process of developing a truck accident claim in South Carolina:

• Stay off social media after the truck accident. Any comments or photos that you post about the accident or other activities including family vacation photos six months after the fact may be used by an insurance company to dispute your case and call into question the seriousness of your injuries. It’s best to take a break from social media until the accident case is resolved.
• Act quickly after the accident. Key evidence, such as dash cam footage, security camera videotape, or the information in a truck’s electronic data recorder, can disappear or be destroyed if an attorney does not take prompt steps to preserve the evidence.
• Keep all follow-up appointments with the doctor. Failing to keep follow-up appointments could call into question the seriousness of your injuries and jeopardize your case.
• Remember that insurance company representatives are not your friend, no matter how friendly they seem. They are looking to protect their company’s bottom line, which means paying as little as possible after an accident to settle a claim.

When Should You File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

In most cases, you have three years after a truck accident to file a lawsuit in South Carolina. Generally speaking, you want to file a lawsuit well before that deadline.

If you wait too long to file, you may be barred by the statute of limitations and your case may be dismissed without being heard.

How Can a Lawyer Help Win Your Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Your truck accident attorney can help you identify all the liable parties and all the insurance policies available to compensate you for your injuries. A lawyer can also help gather evidence to support your case and negotiate with the insurance companies for a fair settlement. Most cases are resolved without a trial. But our attorneys at Joye Law Firm are outstanding trial lawyers and will be prepared to take your case to trial if the insurers refuse to agree to a reasonable settlement.

Call a Truck Accident Lawyer in South Carolina

Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that can affect your life for weeks, months, or years afterward. If you are struggling to get back on your feet and pay for medical treatment after a serious accident, you should speak with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney about your legal rights and the appropriate steps to take. The case review is free. We do not charge any legal fee unless we win compensation for you. Contact the Joye Law Firm for a free consultation with a South Carolina truck accident attorney.

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Water Safety When Tubing or Water Skiing

Watersports such as tubing and waterskiing in South Carolina can be a lot of fun, but they can be also be dangerous if safety precautions aren’t followed. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 146 boating accidents resulted in 14 deaths in 2019 (the most recent year on record). Drowning and near drowning cause most injuries and fatalities related to boating accidents.

To prevent your fun outing from turning tragic, you should know how to keep your passengers safe.

What Are South Carolina’s Water Safety Rules and Regulations?

South Carolina enacted laws such as the South Carolina Boating and Safety Act of 1999 to reduce boating accidents and fatalities. The law defines the negligent operation of a boat as:

• Going too fast in a no wake zone
• Failing to look out for other vessels or people, including other skiers or tubers
• Operating too quickly for conditions
• Racing against other boats
• Towing a skier or tuber through a swimming area

The reckless operation of a boat is defined as:

• Passing through heavy traffic at more than idle speeds
• Wake jumping too close to other vessels within 200 hundred feet
• Crossing the wake or path of another boat in limited visibility conditions
• Staying on a path to collide with another boat or object

State law prohibits operating a boat while drinking or using drugs to the point of impairment. If you cause significant bodily injury or death while under the influence, you could be liable for the injured person’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as face criminal charges including a mandatory sentence of at least 30 days.

Boating Safety Tips

As a boat driver, you are accountable for maintaining water safety for your tubers and skiers by making sure your boat’s personal floatation devices are in good working order. You must also secure the tow rope and focus on operating the boat while having someone else act as your spotter.

Avoid alcohol

A sober driver can notice and react to dangers more quickly than one who has been drinking. Sober drivers also make better decisions and have better vision and quicker reaction responses in the event of a potential accident.

Know your equipment

Learn the limits of your boat, tubes, and skis, and know how fast you can pull each tube and pair of skis safely. Understand their weight and capacity limits and age recommendations so your riders can enjoy their watersports safely.

Secure your towline

Maintain your towline and secure it to the boat so that you can prevent water skiing injuries. This is important! The towline should not snap back and hit the riders you’re towing.

Require a personal floatation device for everyone

Make sure every person you tow wears a life vest, even if they know how to swim. Do not allow them to ski or tube until they agree to wear one. This will protect the person behind the boat if they fall or the towline breaks, especially if they get injured when they hit the water. Drowning causes more boating-related fatalities than any other cause, and even strong swimmers can drown if they are injured or tired and aren’t wearing a life vest.

Designate a spotter

You should concentrate on operating the boat while a lookout is assigned to constantly monitor the skier or tuber. Using a spotter allows you to drive safely, avoiding collisions.

Make a plan

Before anyone leaves the boat, agree on hand signals to communicate important information, including start, stop, slow down, speed up, and okay. Your designated spotter should watch for signals from the skier/tuber and can also signal to the rider if you need to turn the boat around.

Check with the rider before you start

Make sure your skier/tuber has a proper grip on the line and are in an appropriate position before starting to move. Driving at speed can cause tubing injuries, especially for tube riders in the face-down position.

Maintain a safe distance

Keep the rider at least twice the length of the tow rope away from the shoreline, docks, vessels, and other people in the water, including other skiers and tubers. This helps ensure your rider doesn’t collide with others and ensures your compliance with state law.

Use caution when pulling riders

Turning can cause the tubes to collide, if you are towing more than one. Ensure you know how to do it safely, including even weight distribution and securing them to the boat.

To prevent wakeboarding injuries, turn off the engine before allowing the rider on the boat. After the rider is on board, retrieve the tow line.

When You Should Talk to a Lawyer

If the negligent actions of another boat operator caused your injuries, you can work with a South Carolina boating accident lawyer at Joye Law Firm. We work hard on your behalf and fight aggressively to protect your rights. We can help you determine who is liable for your injuries and help you get compensation for your injuries.

Contact Joye Law Firm today for a free, no-risk consultation.

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Why Do Motorcyclists Always Change Their Position in Their Lane?

Motorcycle riders face many challenges on the road. Other cars may not see them, and stormy weather can make the roads slippery. Road hazards also present more danger to motorcycles than cars because of their decreased stability.

Most riders know that they can mitigate these dangers by changing their position within their lane. Other drivers, and even the police, often assume that riders use this maneuver recklessly. In truth, when drivers of larger vehicles get into crashes with motorcyclists, it is typically the driver of the passenger vehicle, not the biker, who is at fault.

Why Motorcyclists Change Lane Positions

South Carolina motorcycle laws allow motorcycles to use the whole lane. Motorcycle riders don’t change lane position to give cars room, or to show off. They change lane position for several safety-related reasons, which include:

Increasing their visibility

Even attentive drivers’ eyes can skip over a bike or forget one is there if they remain in one lane position. Movement naturally draws the eye, so when motorcycle riders shift back and forth in their lane, it helps other drivers to stay aware of them.

In congested traffic, rear-end collisions pose a significant threat to motorcycles. If you see one weaving across the lane, that rider is doing their best to maintain your attention, so you don’t hit them.

Avoiding blind spots

Periodically changing lane position ensures a motorcyclist doesn’t remain in any vehicle’s blind spot, reducing the likelihood of an accident. This allows other drivers to see motorcyclists sharing the highway with them.

Avoiding road hazards

When cars leak oil and other fluids, those spills can ‌happen in the middle of the lane. Liquid on the road can cause motorcycles to lose traction, posing a crash hazard. Other road hazards include potholes, cracks, and fallen debris from other vehicles. Any of these hazards present more danger to motorcycles than to other vehicles, and motorcycle riders may need to swerve around them when it could be safe for a larger, heavier vehicle to drive over them.

Minimizing wind and passing vehicle hazards

When riding in strong winds, motorcyclists must know the direction of the wind and adjust their position accordingly to avoid being pushed across the lane and colliding with other vehicles.

Motorcyclists can also be pushed by the wind coming off of passing vehicles going at high speeds. When a motorcycle rider sees a large oncoming vehicle, they might move to the right side of the lane to minimize the wind coming off that vehicle.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash

Do you or someone you love ride a motorcycle? Unfortunately, safe motorcyclist maneuvers cannot prevent all motorcycle accidents. According to the 2019 Traffic Collision Fact Book for South Carolina, the rate of motorcycle fatalities increased by 9.6% between 2018 and 2019 (the most recent years on record). Knowing what to do after a motorcycle wreck can help relieve the stress it can cause.

Document the scene

Before moving the vehicles, take pictures of the vehicles and any damage they may show, if it is safe to do so (It is fine to take photos after moving the vehicles if you are at risk of being struck by another vehicle by remaining on the road). Collect witness testimonies, if possible. Remember to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver so you can file a claim for compensation.

If anyone is injured, call 9-1-1 for emergency services. You can use the police report ‌the responding officer compiles to support your compensation claim later.

Get medical attention

Even if you feel okay immediately after the accident, see your doctor. The adrenaline and shock from the accident can mask symptoms of serious injuries, such as concussions and pain from broken bones. Other injuries may not be visible at all, including soft tissue injuries and internal bleeding.

Make sure you attend all medical appointments recommended by your doctor and follow your physician’s treatment plan. Hold onto records and medical bills associated with your treatment, since they can be used to prove your injuries and injury-related damages when filing your claim.

Hire a motorcycle accident attorney

A personal injury attorney with extensive experience in motorcycle crashes can establish and build your case using evidence such as your medical records, witness testimonies, and the police report.

They can also calculate fair compensation for your losses, reconstruct the accident to prove you were not at fault, and consult expert witnesses to speak to the seriousness of your injuries and the compensation or treatment you’ll need. If the insurance company refuses to pay the claim, your lawyer can take your case to court.

The South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm can help you get the financial compensation you need to repair your physical, mental, and financial health.

Joye Law Firm Can Protect Your Rights

At Joye Law Firm, we understand that developing your judgment on lane positioning is part of honing your riding skills. We also support motorcyclists’ right to take up an entire lane to position themselves for better visibility, handle the road conditions, and stay out of blind spots. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence or failure to respect your right to the road, call our law firm for a complimentary consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can defend your rights.

As proud partners with Paul Teutul Sr. of American Chopper and Orange County Choppers, we demand fair treatment of motorcyclists on the road and in the courtroom.

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2022 Joye Scholarship Program Winners

At Joye Law Firm, we believe in the power of higher education to enrich lives and the value of the college experience. That’s why we’ve provided nearly $250,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors since 2006.

This year, we were thrilled to give away six $2,000 scholarships to students planning on attending four-year universities or institutes of higher learning in the fall of 2022. We also presented one $2,000 scholarship to a student planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to further their education.

Students in both categories were required to submit an application containing a creative entry that addressed a topic provided by Joye attorneys, such as “If teens could be elected to the South Carolina House or Senate, what issues facing teens would be among your top legislative priorities?” and “How do you plan to use your education to benefit the community?”

Our selection committee reviewed all entries and selected the seven most notable to receive the scholarship prizes. Winners were announced at each of their respective schools’ year-end awards ceremony, when such ceremonies were held.

2022 $2,000 Scholarship Winners

• Lillian Stackhouse, Charleston School for the Arts (plans to attend Lasell University)
• Bregasia Harding, Fort Dorchester High School (plans to attend University of South Carolina)
• Alaysia Woodruff, Goose Creek High School (plans to attend University of South Carolina)
• Carlos Frank, Summerville High School (plans to attend Winthrop University)
• Rivers Cahill, Myrtle Beach High School (plans to attend Coastal Carolina University)
• Kayla Mitchum, Cane Bay High School (plans to attend University of South Carolina)

2022 HBCU $2,000 Scholarship Winner

• Omar Culbreath, Columbia High School (plans to attend Morehouse College)

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who applied. We hope you make the most of your college experiences and are able to establish solid academic and personal foundations that continue to benefit you for the rest of your lives.

Inspiring Teacher Prizes

As part of their entries, students were also asked to nominate the teacher who helped or inspired them the most throughout their school career. In addition to being recognized for their hard work and care towards their students, these teachers were rewarded with a $200 cash prize.

The seven winning teachers are:

• Amanda Miller, Charleston School for the Arts
• Rebekah Hornke, Fort Dorchester High School
• Emily Smith, Goose Creek High School
• Tarrah Meyer, Summerville High School
• Amanda Vipperman, Myrtle Beach High School
• Linda McSwain, Cane Bay High School
• Edward Chambers, Columbia High School

We appreciate the often-thankless hours of work that teachers put in to shape the lives and futures of students throughout South Carolina. We see you and we’re glad to honor you, teachers!

Our Community Is Important to Us 

At Joye Law Firm, we believe in taking care of our community. In addition to helping people get fair compensation after accidents and injuries, we also want to see our neighbors and fellow community members thrive, grow, and succeed. That’s why we work hard in our communities every year with our scholarship programs and other efforts.

Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on all of our community efforts, and keep an eye out for next year’s 2023 Joye Scholarship Program if you know any graduating high school seniors or HBCU attendees who might be interested.

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How to Deal with Bad Sun Glare on Your Windshield

Located in the heart of America’s “Sun Belt,” South Carolina averages 219 sunny days per year. While that’s great news for sun bathers, it’s not so great for drivers who have to deal with sun glare. South Carolina drivers frequently experience the frustration and anxiety caused by severe sun glare blinding them through their windshields. Sun glare is more than just an annoyance. It can significantly impair your vision, making an accident with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist much more likely.

A recent study found that ⅓ of all daytime accidents occurred because of bright sunlight. Bright sunlight increased the risk of getting into a dangerous motor vehicle crash by a whopping 16%.

South Carolina law requires drivers to have complete, unobstructed windshields to maintain a clear view of the highway. This means anything impairing a driver’s vision, even if it’s the sun refracting through a smudged windshield, means you, the driver, bears at least some liability for a crash. With the brightest days of summer still ahead, it’s important to take steps now to prevent sun glare. Doing so makes you less vulnerable to causing an accident and all the following consequences.

Tips for Preventing Glare

When sun glare obstructs your vision, even the most cautious drivers are in danger of causing a collision. Taking these measures can reduce glare on your windshield and lower your risk of an accident.

Keep your windshield clean

You should clean the outside of your windshield every time you fill your tank. At home, you can use soap and water to wash your windshield, and then wipe it with vinegar and a lint-free cloth.

If you regularly get dead bugs or tar on your windshield, consider a commercial product intended for windshields to help remove them. Regular cleaning of your windshield also makes scratches from the windshield wipers less likely to occur.

Whenever you wash your car, ‌don’t forget to also clean the inside of your windshield. This ensures you have full visibility of the road ahead of you. Consider applying rubbing alcohol with a microfiber cloth. This will help make the inside of your windshield more resistant to fogginess and will boost your visibility.

Avoid wax or other car shine products

Everyone loves a shiny car, but when you use wax products on your car’s exterior paint, light can scatter off the hood, intensifying the light coming through your windshield. Consider using protective coatings for your car paint that don’t cause these glare problems.

Keep your dashboard clear

Shiny or light-colored objects on your dashboard can also cause distracting reflections on your windshield. These reflections can hide what is happening outside your vehicle in certain lighting conditions.  Avoid hanging items, even air fresheners, from your rearview mirror. Not only can they obstruct your view, it is actually illegal to operate a vehicle with something hanging from your rearview mirror in South Carolina.

Maintain your windshield and its wipers

Cracks, chips, and even minor scratches can affect how sunlight comes through the windshield. Light reflects off these defects and bounces around your car, which can seriously impair your vision. You can also install a tinted strip at the top of your windshield, sometimes called a sun strip, or tint your whole windshield. Just ensure you follow the local auto window tinting laws.

Keeping your windshield wipers in good working order and your tank full of windshield wiper fluid can help if you get road spray on your windshield or drive through a lot of insects.

Wear polarized sunglasses

Use polarized sunglasses when you drive to cut the intensity of sun glare. The lenses in polarized sunglasses contain a specific filter that blocks the intense reflections of the sunlight. Many cars include a sunglasses holder so you can always keep a pair on hand when you need them.

Use defensive driving

Sun glare can make it hard to see ahead. Avoid suddenly changing lanes, keep plenty of following distance, and reduce your speed so you have more time to react when you come across another vehicle or pedestrian.

You can also pull over, as soon as it is safe to do so, if the sun’s glare stops you from seeing road signs and markings. If you can do so safely, wait for the sun to move far enough that it is no longer blocking your vision.

Change your driving route

If possible, use an alternative route to avoid the sun’s glare during the day. Driving north to south can help you avoid getting hit by sun glare. A trip through areas with tall trees or buildings may also help filter the sun’s rays.

What to Do if Sun Glare Caused Your Crash

If you’ve been injured by a driver who couldn’t see you due to sun glare, contact the South Carolina car accident lawyers at Joye Law Firm today. Injured drivers have the right to compensation for their injuries.

An experienced car accident attorney at our law firm can investigate your accident, work with experts on accident reconstruction, calculate a fair settlement, and negotiate with the insurance company. Contact Joye Law Firm today to schedule your free, no risk case evaluation.

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Five Tips for Anyone Involved in a Multiple Vehicle Crash

When a car accident involves more than one vehicle and more than one driver, there is a potential for conflict when it comes time to sort out who was at fault. If you are involved in a multi-vehicle collision, you may find yourself battling multiple insurance companies while trying to protect yourself from unjustified blame for the accident.

You don’t need that hassle, especially while recovering from injuries related to the accident. A multi-vehicle accident lawyer at Joye Law Firm can investigate the South Carolina car accident you were involved in and help you seek compensation for your losses if others were at fault. Your lawyer will be the heavy lifting, while you focus on your recovery.

Before contacting Joye Law Firm, here are some steps to take to help yourself:

At the scene of an accident:

1. Immediately after a multi-vehicle accident, stop and summon police. If someone has been injured or killed in a car crash, South Carolina law requires you to stop at or near the accident scene, provide reasonable assistance to anyone who needs help (such as calling for an ambulance), and exchange information (driver’s license, vehicle information, etc.). If there have been injuries, do not move your vehicle. If an accident has only caused damage to the vehicles, you may move your vehicle to avoid obstructing traffic, if it is safe to do so.

Remain at the scene and wait for emergency responders to arrive. Turn your car’s hazard lights on.

1. Take as many photographs as possible. Take photos of the vehicles and the accident scene to document the crash. The photos may help support an insurance claim or lawsuit later. Get photos of anything that will help illustrate the accident:

• The damage to each vehicle
• The position of the vehicles in relation to each other
• Skid marks and other debris from the crash
• Your injuries and those of your passengers
• A depiction of the accident site’s location with street signs or buildings in the background to locate the site
• A depiction of weather conditions.

1. Gather witnesses’ statements. Ask any passengers in your vehicle or bystanders who saw the accident to let you make a short video of them explaining what they saw. Ask for their permission to be recorded while the device is recording and have them state their full name and a contact phone number. If you take a statement in writing, ask the individual to sign and date it. Do this while your passengers and witnesses are present and what has happened is fresh on their minds.

After the accident:

4. Report the accident to your insurer. When talking to the insurance company or anyone about the accident:

• Do not apologize or accept blame. Do not admit that you caused a car accident because you may not know all the contributing factors. In a multi-vehicle accident, more than one driver may share fault. If someone suggests you are at fault, say, “It hasn’t been determined.” Do not blame anyone else, either.
• Do not speculate about the accident. Be ready and comfortable saying “I don’t know” when questioned about the accident. Don’t guess about things. Anything you say may potentially be used against you later, so be careful what you say. Provide the facts and nothing more when questioned about the accident or your injuries. Let the police investigate and reach a conclusion about how it occurred.
• Don’t downplay your injuries. This one can be tricky! If an insurance adjuster says, “So how are you?” the reflexive response is something like, “Oh, I’m OK.” This is a mistake. You’ve just said you were not injured! You don’t want to downplay or exaggerate your injuries. If you are hurt in an accident, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible and remember his or her diagnosis. Learn to state your exact injuries when asked how you are after a car accident.
• Don’t accept a quick settlement offer. You’ll have many expenses after being injured in a car accident, especially medical bills. You may be out of work because of your injuries and experiencing some financial stress from loss of income. An insurance adjuster may offer you a quick settlement to limit the insurer’s liability. Early offers are designed to sound like a lot of money while ensuring that the insurance company comes out ahead. If you are still receiving medical care and have not returned to work, no one knows what your final costs and losses will be. It’s a good idea to have an experienced personal injury attorney review any settlement offer you receive and discuss whether it is a reasonable offer based on your injuries and related losses.

5. Meet with a car accident lawyer. You deserve a just insurance settlement if you have been injured in a multi-vehicle car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. In South Carolina, a car accident attorney from Joye Law Firm can help you seek full and fair compensation. As your attorneys, we can:

• Investigate who was at fault in the multi-vehicle accident
• Identify all insurance policies available to provide compensation to you
• Calculate all of your costs and losses, including medical bills, lost income, property damage costs, pain and suffering
• Present demand letters to insurers for compensation to you
• Negotiate aggressively for a proper settlement or pursue a lawsuit seeking the maximum compensation available to you.

Joye Law Firm’s work for you begins with a free, no-obligation consultation about the accident that injured you and your legal options. Our attorneys are attentive, compassionate, and we do not charge a legal fee unless and until we recover money for you.. Joye Law Firm has been recovering compensation for accident victims across South Carolina for more than 50 years. We are ready to help you, too.

Joye Law Firm has offices in Charleston, Columbia, Clinton, Summerville, and Myrtle Beach. We represent injured people across South Carolina. Contact Joye Law Firm. Call us at 888-324-3100 or use this online contact form for a free case review today.

The post Five Tips for Anyone Involved in a Multiple Vehicle Crash appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2022/07/five-tips-when-in-a-multiple-vehicle-crash/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com

What to Do After Being Hit by a Car on Your Bike

Bicycles provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation and recreation for people of all ages. However, a bicycle lacks the enclosed protection of a car. So, bicyclists are at an elevated risk of severe injuries when they are involved in collisions with other vehicles.

Between 2009 to 2017, South Carolina reported an average of 508 injuries or fatal bicycle accidents per year. Over 90.7% of these accidents resulted in injury, and 3.2% were fatal. Some common injuries incurred by cyclists in crashes include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, which often need ongoing medical care and expensive treatments.

If you have suffered injuries after being hit by a car while riding your bike, you need to contact our Charleston bicycle injury lawyers to help you file a claim for your best chance to get the compensation you deserve for your medical costs and lost earnings.

What Contributes to Bicycle-Car Accidents?

Most bicycle injuries on public roads happen between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Drivers commonly cause bicycle accidents due to several factors:

• Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Disregarding traffic signs and signals
• Other driving errors
• Driving the wrong way or on the wrong side of the road
• Improper lane change
• Driving under the influence

Drivers that fail to yield the right-of-way are the top cause of bicycle crashes, accounting for more than a quarter of all crashes. Failure to yield frequently occurs when drivers make a left-hand turn into a bicyclist or when they cross a bike lane.

What to Do After Being Hit by a Car on Your Bike

To file a claim for compensation with the driver’s car insurance company, there needs to be proof that the bicyclist had physical contact with the car. A police report can help to establish that. Taking the steps below can guarantee that you assemble the proper evidence you need to file your insurance claim.

Call 9-1-1 immediately

Needless to say, if you or anyone else suffer severe injuries in the accident, contact the police and request a police report and an ambulance immediately. Get checked out by the paramedics when they arrive. The responding police officer can interview you and the driver, investigate the severity of the damage, and create a police report that your lawyer can review to understand the scale of the accident and later use as evidence when you file your claim.

Exchange information with the driver

If you are able, collect the driver’s full name, contact information, insurance company and policy number. You should also write down ‌the car’s license plate number, make, and model. This information is vital for filing an injury claim against the individual that caused the wreck.

Gather evidence from the accident scene

If at all possible, get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Your lawyer can interview them for their testimonies. Photos and videos taken at the accident scene, capturing any damage to your bike, the vehicle that hit you, the road, and any injuries you have can also become vital evidence in your claim.

This evidence can support your insurance claim along with witness testimonies, medical records, and the police report.

Visit the hospital

Go to the hospital for a more thorough evaluation. The shock and adrenaline in your body after an accident may mask symptoms of severe injuries. For instance, whiplash symptoms may appear days after the injury, and once it starts, the discomfort can last for a long time.

Keep track of your medical records

Keep copies of all medical bills and records of where and when you receive treatment for the initial injuries and follow-up visits, as well as the people who provide your care. Also, keep records of any mental or physical therapy you require.

Don’t discuss your injuries with the at-fault driver’s insurance company until you have legal representation. The company can and will hold anything you say against you in the settlement process or civil court.

Contact a bike injury lawyer

Before you file a claim with the driver’s insurance company, consult a bike injury lawyer first. A lawyer can compile evidence, such as medical records, photos, and videos, to build a strong case and prove your injuries. They can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and handle settlement offers, helping you assess each offer so you can achieve a fair settlement.

Get Legal Representation After a Bike Accident

A bicycle accident can cause severe injuries that result in high medical bills and require filing a personal injury claim. You can trust the bicycle injury lawyers at Joye Law Firm to handle your case and pursue the financial compensation you need and deserve. To speak with an experienced bicycle accident attorney, contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation and discuss your legal options.

The post What to Do After Being Hit by a Car on Your Bike appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2022/07/what-to-do-after-being-hit-by-a-car-on-your-bike/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com