Wrongful Death Caused by Distracted Driving in South Carolina

Distracted driving is a leading cause of death in South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, two distracted drivers crash every hour in the Palmetto State. If someone you love was killed by a distracted driver, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim in South Carolina. This type of lawsuit may help your family achieve closure, and it can provide compensation for unpaid medical bills, funeral costs, and much more. When is a lawsuit like this possible in South Carolina?

Family Decides to Sue After Woman Run Over on Myrtle Beach 

South Carolina residents were shocked to hear about the death of a woman sunbathing on Myrtle Beach in June. The woman was crushed by a Horry County Police Department truck, and witnesses reported hearing her scream as she was run over. Questions were immediately raised about the police officer operating this vehicle, and how this could have happened.

Predictably, the family of the woman has decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Horry County Police Department. They claim that the police officer was distracted when he ran over the woman, and they say that this is a clear example of negligence. The police department declined to comment when asked about the pending lawsuit.

It is not clear whether the family has any concrete evidence that the officer was distracted. However, they point out that there was nothing that could have affected the driver’s visibility at the moment of the collision. It was a clear, sunny day – and there was nothing obstructing his mirrors or windshield. The family also states that the officer was not responding to any emergency.

The general public has demanded that the police department cease driving its full-size vehicles on public beaches. It is not clear why the officer ever felt the need to drive his truck on a beach filled with people, but this is not the first time an accident like this has happened. Post and Courier points out that a very similar incident occurred in 2020, when an officer driving a Chevy Tahoe in Garden City ran over a beachgoer sitting in a chair.

How Do You Prove Distraction in a Wrongful Death Case? 

You may be able to prove distraction by gaining access to cellphone records. You can do this during the “discovery” pre-trial phase, in which both parties are legally required to exchange relevant documents upon request.

Find an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer in South Carolina 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced Charleston personal injury lawyer, look no further than Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC. With our help, you can strive for positive results and hold distracted drivers liable for the damage they have caused. The recent incident in Myrtle Beach highlights the dangers of distracted driving – even among police officers. Reach out today to learn more about the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.

Sources 

doi.sc.gov/884/Distracted-Driving

postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/horry-beach-patrol-wrongful-death-lawsuit-family-sc/article_24472044-37da-11ef-a9a1-c35b97823748.html