A tragic vehicle accident last month in Edgefield County claimed the life of a 32-year-old Saluda resident. According to officials from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Julio Elias Ramirez-Gonzalez was killed when a pickup truck driver attempting to pass a semi truck hit him head on.
Collision involved multiple vehicles
The driver of the tractor trailer took evasive action to avoid the collision, but ultimately bumped the rear of the pickup, traveled down an embankment and overturned. The deadly crash occurred after 6:00 a.m. on December 23 on Highway 121 near US 25. Officers remained on the scene following the collision to conduct further investigation into the event.
Potentially tragic consequences of driver negligence
There can be no doubt that auto accidents are among the most serious personal injury events anyone could ever experience. The potential for profound, life-altering injury and death is very real, and when such tragedy occurs, it is vital for victims to assert their rights to seek justice. It’s important to your rights if you have been involved in a accident, and Columbia based Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers can provide you with a specialized truck accident attorney to help you.
Common harm sustained in vehicle accidents include:
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Lacerations
- Burns leading to permanent disfigurement
- Soft tissue injury
- Harm to internal organs
The lasting impact of involvement in a car crash can bring families to the brink of emotional and financial ruin. It is essential for victims to enlist the aid of a seasoned accident attorney as soon as possible following an event of this nature.
Post-accident determinations of fault
To establish responsibility in a vehicle accident, it is important for victims and their representatives to take immediate action. Evidence must be obtained and preserved so that negotiations with insurance carriers and, in some cases, presentations to juries can be as effective as possible. To that end, an experienced auto accident attorney will take prompt steps to secure all police investigation reports, interview witnesses to the event, review medical records and consult with engineering experts and/or accident reconstruction professionals to get to the bottom of what occurred.
Compensation available for victims of negligence
Accident victims who successfully establish that the negligence of another party is to blame for their injuries may be eligible to receive substantial monetary compensation. Recovery of this type is often necessary for those harmed in car crashes to begin the healing process and regain some degree of normality.
Financial awards may include payment for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Lost wages/diminished earning capacity
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Funeral expenses
Because auto accident cases inevitably involve detailed examination of the specific facts of the event, it is incumbent upon victims and their families to secure knowledgeable legal assistance as soon as practicable following the accident itself.
Effective advocacy for the injured throughout South Carolina
If you or a loved one has suffered harm as the result of another party’s negligence, you owe it to yourself to explore all available avenues of legal recourse. South Carolina accident attorney Michael Jeffcoat stands prepared to seek fairness and accountability for injury victims across the state and help them get on the road to recovery. For a free, no-obligation evaluation of the facts of your case, call (803) 200-2000.
