Available 24/7Statistics released by the National Highway Transit Safety Administration show that South Carolina has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. Pedestrian accidents are among the most serious and deadly types of personal injury possible. Drivers have become far more reckless and self-entitled, and the result is that you are at risk.
Lawyer for Pedestrian Accident Victims in Aiken
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. The Law Office of Taylor S. Braithwaite can provide you with legal representation in a straightforward and dedicated manner. Reach out to an Aiken pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm today and start pursuing answers and justice.
Pedestrian Accidents in Aiken County
The most recent statistics available report there were 22 accidents involving pedestrians in Aiken County in 2020. The accident victim was apparently injured in all but four of the incidents. Seven of the victims lost their lives in the accident.
Throughout South Carolina, roughly half of pedestrian accident victims will suffer a serious injury or death. Most people will not walk away from an accident unscathed. Roughly 3 out of every 100,000 South Carolinians die in pedestrian accidents each year, which is higher than the national average of 1.98.
South Carolina Laws that Protect Pedestrians
South Carolina law states that drivers must “exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.” There are specific laws to protect you as a pedestrian once you have entered a crosswalk. Drivers should slow down as they approach a crosswalk.
Pedestrians will have the right-of-way in a crosswalk, while drivers will have it outside the crosswalk. However, drivers could still be liable to an extent if they strike you outside a crosswalk. The driver could bear a proportion of the fault.
If there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian has an equal right to the road, although they should walk as far to the side as possible, facing oncoming traffic, so the driver can see them.
Never assume that you are not entitled to compensation based on where the accident occurred. Always check with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, so they can review your case.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
The number of serious pedestrian accidents is getting worse, both in South Carolina and throughout the country. Drivers’ behavior behind the wheel has been growing far worse in the past decade, and motorists acquired even worse habits during the pandemic that they have kept.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Lack of knowledge of pedestrian laws
- Poorly marked crosswalks
- A driver’s failure to come to a complete stop
- Drunk driving
- Illegal left-hand turns
Perhaps the number one cause of the increase in pedestrian accidents is the smartphone. Drivers do not see crosswalks, nor do they spot pedestrians trying to cross the road. Motorists are often looking down at their phones until it is too late.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
There is a low chance that a pedestrian will not be injured when they have been struck by a driver. The average size of a vehicle is getting larger these days as automakers move from sedans to more profitable trucks and SUVs. When pedestrians are struck, their injuries will be more serious than they were in the past.
Here are some common pedestrian accident injuries:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
In many cases, you will never be the same again after a pedestrian accident. When you are able to recover, it may take extensive time and rehabilitation.
How Much Your Pedestrian Accident Claim May Be Worth
The value of your claim depends on the severity of the accident and injuries. You may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Emotional distress
Your family may be filing a wrongful death claim when a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident. In that case, your damages would consist of:
- Wages that your loved one would have earned over the course of their career
- Grief and trauma that your family has endured from losing a family member
- Loss of the close, loving relationship that your family had with the deceased person
- Loss of the physical relationship between a spouse and their partner
How TSB Injury Law Is Here for You
The first thing that you need from the legal process when you have been hurt in an accident is answers. You must know about your legal options and how you can get financial compensation. We will patiently explain what you are facing in terms that you can understand. In addition, we will do the following in your case:
- Gather the necessary evidence to show that the driver was negligent
- Value your case and the total amount of damages that you are seeking
- File an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the driver
- Negotiate a settlement agreement or present your case in court
One of the most important ways that we will help your case is by defending you when the insurance company tries to blame you for what happened. Insurance companies will often try to point a finger at an accident victim because it could help them save money or avoid liability entirely. Your attorney may need to explain your own actions to show why you were not to blame for your accident injuries.
Contact Our Aiken Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
When you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you will need a determined lawyer. Your attorney should be straightforward and responsive while dealing with you and tough when dealing with the insurance company.
Veteran-owned TSB Injury Law is here for you when circumstances turn against you. You can schedule an initial consultation by reaching out to us online or by calling us today at (803) 220-0000. The consultation is free, and you pay us nothing unless you win your case.
