It’s a startling statistic: Over 10% of all fatalities from vehicular accidents in South Carolina involve pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the most recent year counted, 113 out of 828 total fatalities from car accidents were pedestrians engaged in activities such as walking, running, or even just sitting close to roadways.
Like drivers, passengers, and cyclists, pedestrians are vulnerable to the hazards of the road, often falling victim to the negligent or reckless behavior of drivers. When such tragic incidents lead to injuries or worse, the victims or their grieving families are often left to seek justice and compensation for their immense losses.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are dedicated to advocating for pedestrians harmed in traffic accidents across South Carolina. If you or someone you care about has been affected by a pedestrian accident, do not hesitate to reach out to us for support and legal guidance.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Handle by Our Simpsonville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Simpsonville streets and crosswalks demand the utmost respect for traffic regulations and pedestrian signals to maintain safety. When these rules are disregarded, whether through distraction, negligence, or failure to yield, the safety of pedestrians is compromised.
Below are the types of pedestrian accidents that our skilled personal injury attorneys frequently handle:
- Accidents caused by distracted drivers impacting pedestrians
- Incidents involving high-speed driving near pedestrian zones
- Collisions linked to jaywalking
- Pedestrian-related accidents in parking lots
- Cases involving injuries to child pedestrians
- Situations where aggressive driving leads to pedestrian injuries
- Accidents due to alcohol impairment
- Situations where drivers fail to yield the right-of-way
- Complex cases involving larger vehicles like 18-wheelers, scooters, and even government-operated vehicles
- Severe incidents resulting in catastrophic injuries to pedestrians
- Claims related to wrongful deaths of pedestrians
- Accidents caused by poorly designed or managed intersections
- Accidents involving large vehicles such as SUVs and trucks, impacting pedestrian safety
Our Simpsonville personal injury law firm is dedicated to representing those affected by these diverse and challenging scenarios, ensuring that victims receive justice and appropriate compensation.
Securing the Right Legal Representation With the Help of Our Simpsonville Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
Experiencing a pedestrian accident can be both physically and emotionally devastating. In such challenging times, having a competent attorney to face the complexities of your legal case is important.
A qualified lawyer will not only gather necessary evidence but also effectively advocate for your rights, aiming to secure the highest possible compensation for you.
For those affected by pedestrian accidents, the law firm of the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm comes highly recommended. With a wealth of experience in pedestrian accidents and personal injury claims, they are adept at handling complex cases with precision and empathy.
Our law firm prioritizes a client-focused approach, ensuring transparency throughout the legal process and involving clients in every decision. This commitment to client engagement helps to ease the burden during a difficult period.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, allow the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm to manage the legal challenges while you focus on your recovery and well-being.
Common Reasons for Pedestrian Accidents in Simpsonville, SC?
Pedestrian accidents in South Carolina occur with alarming regularity, with a pedestrian fatality reported every 2.2 days, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Nationwide, serious injuries or deaths involving pedestrians occur every 88 minutes, totaling around 6,000 fatalities each year.
These accidents predominantly occur in urban areas, at intersections, and most frequently under the cover of darkness. A common factor in these tragic events is a vehicle striking a pedestrian, often due to driver distractions such as texting, alcohol consumption, or other forms of inattention, which significantly decrease a driver’s ability to notice pedestrians in time to avoid an accident.
Key factors contributing to pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding: Excessive speed diminishes a driver’s reaction time and increases the distance needed to come to a complete stop, making it perilous for nearby pedestrians.
- Reckless driving: This may involve erratic maneuvers such as swerving through traffic, aggressive overtaking, ignoring traffic signs, tailgating, and abruptly cutting off other vehicles, all of which heighten the risk of hitting a pedestrian.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s ability to perceive and react to pedestrians, often leading to fatal miscalculations.
- Neglecting to check blind spots: Pedestrians may go unseen if drivers fail to check blind spots before making turns or lane changes.
- Ignoring traffic signals: Disregarding red lights, crosswalks, or stop signs can lead to catastrophic incidents where pedestrians are struck and seriously injured.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Simpsonville?
If you find yourself involved in a pedestrian accident in Simpsonville, the experience can be deeply traumatic, regardless of whether you’re crossing a street, navigating a parking lot, or merely standing on a sidewalk. The repercussions can range from minor injuries and psychological distress to severe, disabling conditions that could alter your life permanently.
Here’s a structured guide on the steps to take immediately following a pedestrian accident:
- Immediate Medical Attention: Even if injuries appear minor or non-existent, it’s crucial to seek medical evaluation. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, or concussions, might not be immediately apparent, especially under the adrenaline rush experienced during the accident. Prompt medical attention not only addresses hidden injuries but also creates a medical record, which is vital for any subsequent legal claims.
- Report the Incident to the Police: No matter the severity, report the accident to the police as soon as it occurs. Ensure both you and the driver involved remain at the scene until authorities arrive. While waiting, gather as much information as you can about the event and exchange contact and insurance details with the driver. This report will serve as an official document detailing the accident, which is essential for legal and insurance purposes.
- Gather Witness Testimonies: If there are any witnesses to the accident, their accounts can be invaluable. Speak with them, record their observations, and collect their contact information. Witness testimonies can play a critical role in supporting your claim and establishing the facts of the accident.
- Document Your Recovery Journey: Keep a detailed diary of your recovery process. Note your medical treatments, emotional state, work limitations, and any disruptions to your daily life caused by the accident. This documentation can be pivotal when seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Injuries Associated With Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents, often marked by the stark contrast in size and momentum between a person and a vehicle, usually result in severe injuries to pedestrians. The type and severity of these injuries often depend on the first point of contact between the vehicle and the pedestrian, which varies based on the height of both the vehicle and the pedestrian.
For instance, children and shorter adults might sustain injuries primarily to the head or chest, while taller individuals might suffer more from hip or leg injuries.
Following the initial impact, the trajectory and subsequent interactions of the pedestrian’s body with the vehicle and other surfaces can lead to various serious injuries.
These include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These are among the most severe outcomes, typically occurring when the pedestrian’s head strikes the vehicle or other hard surfaces. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments, drastically altering a victim’s quality of life.
- Fractures: Commonly, pedestrians suffer fractures in their legs and hips due to the height at which smaller vehicles strike. Arms and wrists can also break frequently, as victims instinctively try to break their falls.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact on a vehicle or the ground can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in paralysis or other forms of permanent disability. The spinal cord’s critical role in nerve communication makes such injuries particularly debilitating.
- Internal Injuries: These injuries may include internal bleeding or organ damage and are often a result of the force exerted on the body by the impact. Broken ribs are a common related injury, which can further complicate the safety of internal organs.
- Severe Lacerations: Contact with broken glass or abrasive surfaces like asphalt can cause deep cuts, which are not only painful but also prone to infection and other complications.
What Damages Can You Pursue After a Pedestrian Accident?
When pedestrians are involved in motor vehicle accidents, they are exceptionally vulnerable due to the lack of physical protection. The force of such collisions can propel them several feet, often leading to severe, life-altering injuries.
Among these are:
- Skull fractures
- Various traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Spinal injuries
- Bone fractures
- Lacerations and cuts
- Friction burns from contact with surfaces
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
At our firm, we understand the lasting impact these injuries can have on a victim’s life, affecting their ability to work, study, and engage in daily activities. Our commitment is to vigorously advocate for our clients, ensuring they receive full compensation for the burdens they face. This includes:
Compensation for medical treatments already received and for expected future medical needs.
- Reimbursement for lost wages and a potential decrease in the ability to earn
- Compensation for physical pain and psychological suffering
- Damages for emotional distress
- Loss of companionship and support (loss of consortium)
In instances of particularly egregious conduct, such as accidents involving impaired drivers, punitive damages may also be pursued. These are designed to penalize particularly harmful behavior and deter similar actions in the future.
For families who have lost a loved one due to negligence, we offer dedicated support in pursuing wrongful death claims. While no monetary compensation can replace your loss, securing financial support can help cover funeral costs and provide stability as you navigate this challenging time.
Determining Fault in a Simpsonville Pedestrian Accident: A Legal Perspective
In the event of a pedestrian accident in Simpsonville, determining who is at fault is critical for pursuing legal recourse. Our personal injury attorneys specialize in passionately analyzing such incidents.
We employ a thorough approach to establish the circumstances surrounding your case, employing various tools and resources, including:
- Collecting and reviewing photographs of the accident location
- Examining video surveillance from nearby sources
- Analyzing images of the involved vehicles
- Compiling and assessing eyewitness accounts
- Retrieving and interpreting data from any event data recorders, often referred to as “black boxes.”
- Reviewing the driver’s cell phone records to check for possible distractions
- Analyzing the results of the driver’s toxicology tests to determine impairment
To strengthen our investigation, we also collaborate with experts in fields like accident reconstruction, traffic safety, and engineering. These specialists scrutinize the gathered evidence to provide a clearer picture of the dynamics of the accident, aiding us, insurers, and potentially a jury in understanding the sequence of events and attributing fault accurately.
Struck as a Pedestrian? Consult Our Experienced Simpsonville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys!
If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries or if a family member was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident in Simpsonville, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden of someone else’s negligence. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to advocating on your behalf to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
Reach out to the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm now at (864) 664-3865—either by phone or through our online contact form—to schedule a complimentary initial consultation. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your pedestrian accident and strive diligently to recover the compensation you need for medical bills and other related losses.
