People often believe most car accidents happen on Charleston’s busy highways, like Ashley River Road (Highway 61) and US Highway 17. The surprising truth is that many crashes occur within five miles of a driver’s home. Below we explain why more drivers get involved in car crashes in familiar areas.
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If you were injured in a car crash, it is vital that you seek medical attention for your injuries right away, even the crash occurred near your home. Once your injuries have been stabilized, we recommend consulting with an attorney to discuss your potential legal options, as critical evidence can get overwritten, cleared away or destroyed quickly.
At Roden Law, our knowledgeable Charleston car accident attorneys help injured victims secure compensation for their damages every day. To date, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Our trusted law firm is dedicated to protecting your legal rights and best interests. Call our law offices today to find out what legal options may be available to you. Your initial consultation is completely free, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay.
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Why Drivers Have More Accidents Closer to Home and in Other Familiar Areas
Statistically, more crashes happen within five to 25 miles of where you live due to several key factors, including how we drive in familiar surroundings.
Common reasons more collisions happen closer to home are because:
Drivers Are More Familiar With the Local Roads Near Their Home
Drivers can become complacent or “zone out” while driving on local roads they know well. When you drive the same routes repeatedly, your brain tends to shift into that “autopilot” state, but this is dangerous. Zoning out in that way impairs your ability to focus on the road, remain alert for potential hazards, and drive defensively.
Distraction
Distraction rates increase dramatically near homes. Since drivers are familiar with these routes, they are much more comfortable checking their phones, adjusting their music, or engaging with passengers. However, getting distracted, even on familiar roads, is dangerous. You could miss a pedestrian or pet darting into the road, or the vehicle in front of you braking at a stop sign or turning into the local convenience store without signaling. Getting distracted by your cellphone could even cause you to drift and crash into a utility pole, parked vehicle, or even someone’s house.
The “Almost Home” Phenomenon
The “almost home” phenomenon affects many residents. After successfully navigating longer trips, drivers often relax their guard during the final minutes of their journey. This mental shift typically happens after drivers exit busy highways and enter residential neighborhoods. In some instances, drivers may fail to stop at stop signs or overlook pedestrians crossing the street.
Charleston Neighborhood Driving Hazards
Multiple neighborhoods present unique driving challenges that contribute to a high number of accidents near home.
- Downtown Areas: Some of Charleston’s downtown areas have narrow streets that could get congested with heavy traffic. This is likely to be the case if you are driving through downtown on the weekends or during the holidays.
- Suburban Access Points: In some residential neighborhoods, there may be limited entry and exit roads, creating congestion hotspots. These bottlenecks become particularly hazardous during morning or evening rush hours when drivers are often distracted or fatigued.
- Developing Areas: Charleston has multiple areas that are undergoing rapid development. New traffic patterns in familiar areas can catch drivers off guard, particularly where older neighborhood streets intersect with recently expanded main roads.
- Mixed-Use Zones: Drivers regularly navigate areas where residential traffic mixes with commercial vehicles. This creates dangerous speed and size differentials even on streets that locals drive daily.
- School Zone Congestion: The areas surrounding Charleston’s schools pose unique hazards during drop-off and pick-up times. Parents familiar with these routes often multitask while driving, which increases the risk of accidents in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
- Backing Out of Driveways: Exiting driveways onto residential streets can be dangerous if there is limited visibility, unexpected pedestrian and the false security of familiar surroundings.
- Neighborhood Intersections Without Signals: Intersections that do not have signals in residential areas account for a significant proportion of crashes near homes. Drivers may unintentionally ignore familiar stop signs or fail to yield at intersections they navigate daily.
- Shopping Center Parking Lots: Minor collisions are likely to happen in neighborhood shopping areas. The combination of pedestrians, cart returns and multiple vehicles maneuvering in tight spaces creates conditions for fender-benders.
How Weather and Road Conditions Affect Local Accidents
Charleston’s unique environment creates specific weather and road challenges that contribute to close-to-home accidents:
Flash Flooding on Familiar Routes
Charleston’s low elevation makes residential streets highly susceptible to rapid flooding, even during moderate rainfall. Residents often underestimate water depth on familiar roads, particularly in flood-prone neighborhoods.
Sudden Coastal Fog Patterns
Morning fog develops quickly along Charleston’s waterways and can dramatically reduce visibility on residential streets near harbors or rivers. Locals driving familiar routes often maintain unsafe speeds despite adverse weather conditions.
Hurricane Season Road Debris
Debris left behind by a hurricane can lead to an accident. Residents may have to swerve unexpectedly to avoid fallen branches or flood-related road damage.
Tourist Season Traffic Pattern Changes
Seasonal tourism alters traffic patterns throughout Charleston’s residential areas as visitors seek shortcuts to avoid congestion. Locals often do not expect familiar streets to get so busy during peak tourist season.
What To Do After a Neighborhood Accident in Charleston
Even if you are in a car accident in your neighborhood, it is still essential to take steps to protect your health and legal rights.
Stay Safe
Ensure your safety first by moving your vehicle out of traffic. If possible, check all parties for injuries. Even in minor neighborhood crashes, activate hazard lights so drivers can stop or slow down if they drive near your vehicle. This helps prevent further collisions, especially in heavy traffic, low visibility, or high-speed areas.
Visit a doctor even if you feel fine initially. A diagnostic test or examination can reveal the full extent of your injuries so that you can get the medical treatment you need to recover.
Report the Accident
Report the accident to the police by calling 9-1-1. Some individuals may hesitate to call the police for minor accidents that occur near their homes. However, reporting the accident can help your insurance claims and could provide vital evidence that can strengthen your case.
Collect Evidence
If possible, take photos of the vehicle damage, street conditions, and the overall accident location. Pay special attention to any neighborhood-specific factors, such as unmarked dips, faded stop signs, or overgrown vegetation, that may have contributed to the collision. Additionally, check for credible witnesses who may be able to confirm events leading up to the car accident.
Consult With an Attorney
Contact a local personal injury lawyer familiar with Charleston’s specific traffic patterns and neighborhood hazards. Even accidents close to home can result in significant medical expenses and complex insurance issues that require professional guidance.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer. Provide basic facts about the crash without elaborating or accepting blame. Many close-to-home accidents in Charleston involve complex liability questions that insurance adjusters must adequately evaluate.
Call Roden Law After a Local Charleston Car Accident
Unfortunately, even the most careful drivers cannot control the actions of others. If you have been injured in an accident near your home due to another driver’s negligence, seek the legal help you need to recover from an accident.
At Roden Law, our legal team knows Charleston’s road laws and can help you navigate the process of obtaining a claim after a car accident. During a free consultation, we can discuss your legal options and any questions you may have. We do not charge any upfront costs to engage our services. We only get paid if you do.
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