Is South Carolina a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

Posted in Personal Injury on June 26, 2024

The patchwork of auto insurance laws in the United States often creates confusion for drivers, particularly if they’re new residents or are visiting from out of state. If you’re new to the Palmetto State, you might wonder: Is South Carolina a no-fault state? The answer is no. Like most states, South Carolina uses a fault-based… read more

Avoiding Road Rage: Essential Tips and Common Triggers

Posted in Personal Injury on May 14, 2024

Do you sometimes feel your blood pressure rising when another driver cuts you off or follows too closely? Getting angry on the road can quickly escalate into a dangerous road rage incident, which could, in turn, spiral into an avoidable accident. Fortunately, there are techniques for keeping your cool and defusing tense situations. At The Melonakos Law… read more

What Are the Odds of Winning a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Posted in Personal Injury on May 7, 2024

Did you recently lose someone close to you because of someone else’s wrongful actions or inaction? If so, you might have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. With a successful wrongful death claim, you can hold the responsible party accountable, demand justice for your loved one, and recover fair compensation for your family. But what… read more

Do You Have to Replace Seatbelts After an Accident?

Posted in Personal Injury on October 31, 2023

Bent bumpers, broken glass, and crumpled hoods – obviously, these parts must be replaced following a car accident. But what about other, less obvious components that also undergo stress in a collision – namely, the seatbelt? Seatbelts are crucial safety devices, but can they continue to work as intended after a car crash that puts… read more

Motorcycle Lane Splitting vs. Lane Filtering: What’s the Difference?

Posted in Personal Injury on September 27, 2023

As smaller vehicles, motorcycles can do some things the larger vehicles they share the roads with can’t. Motorcyclists can execute certain special maneuvers, among them practices like lane splitting and lane filtering that could make it easier to keep moving when traffic is slow or stopped. Unfortunately, these maneuvers can also present a risk to… read more

Driving Rules for Golf Carts in South Carolina

Posted in Personal Injury on September 5, 2023

State law in South Carolina allows qualified drivers to operate golf carts on public roads and streets under certain circumstances and with limitations. Drivers must meet specific requirements to drive golf carts in public. Before you take your golf cart onto a public street or road, you should review the golf cart rules in SC…. read more

What Is the Difference Between a Birth Injury and a Birth Defect?

Posted in Personal Injury on August 22, 2023

Birth injuries and birth defects can have devastating and lasting effects on newborns and their families. However, some conflate the two concepts and assume either gives rise to a medical malpractice claim. But birth injuries and birth defects are not the same. Critical differences between them can influence whether a family may have a valid… read more

Is Motorcycle Lane Splitting Legal in South Carolina?

Posted in Personal Injury on July 31, 2023

Riding between lanes of traffic on a motorcycle is called “lane splitting.” But is this practice legal in South Carolina, and if not, what are the implications for doing so – particularly if it ends in an accident? What Is Lane Splitting? Lane splitting is riding a motorcycle on top of lane divider lines or… read more

Who Is at Fault for a Car Accident at an Intersection?

Posted in Personal Injury on July 31, 2023

Navigating an intersection can be a complex and hazardous task. When mishandled, a collision can happen. When car accidents occur at intersections, the consequences can be painful, traumatic, and financially disastrous. When vehicles collide in an intersection accident, who’s at fault? Because answering this question involves a detailed analysis of traffic laws and accident reconstruction,… read more

Back-to-School Safety Tips

Posted in Personal Injury on July 19, 2023

While the new school year provides fresh opportunities to learn and grow, it can also present risks that parents, teachers, and students should be aware of, especially during the school commute. Here, the legal team at The Melonakos Law Firm shares some back-to-school safety tips for pedestrians, bus riders, bike riders, and motorists in the… read more