South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When cars collide with pedestrians, there is high potential for serious injury. A pedestrian accident is a common occurrence in areas where there is high pedestrian traffic and high motor vehicle traffic.
A pedestrian accident can result in people being killed on crosswalks, sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands. The most serious pedestrian accident injuries result from pedestrians making contact with vehicle bumpers, hoods, or the windshield of a passing car or truck.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 4,092 people died as the result of a pedestrian accident in 2009 and 17 percent of those pedestrian deaths were hit and run crashes.
Some common negligent practices by motorists which result in pedestrian accidents include:
- A driver’s failure to observe posted speed limits,
- A driver’s failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians at marked cross walks,
- A driver’s disregard for traffic control devices, and
- distracted driving.
When a pedestrian is involved in a motor vehicle accident they are at risk for countless serious injuries. Pedestrians’ head, legs, and arms are the most vulnerable in an accident. Often, pedestrians endure extreme bodily injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Coma
- Fractured bones
Keeping Children Safe From a Pedestrian Accident
Children and the elderly are among the most common victims of a pedestrian accident. When a child is hit by a car, it can cause severe injuries and emotional heartache for everyone involved. A pedestrian accident can occur in a school zone when a driver is not following the law, is negligent, distracted, or not obeying the speed limit. Young children do not always understand the dangers of the road, and when a child runs out into the street while playing or chasing a ball, the results can be tragic.
Some child pedestrian safety tips include:
- Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks
- Parents and kids should hold hands in parking lots
- Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, never behind and
- Teach your child never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet, to catch the school bus, or any other reason
When a pedestrian accident occurs, there may be more than one party at fault. Both the driver of a vehicle that strikes a pedestrian and the party responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, roadway or parking lot where the accident occurred may be responsible for a pedestrian accident. The South Carolina accident attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC have experience analyzing who may be at fault and can help you get the compensation you deserve for a pedestrian injury or death.
If you need legal advice, we recommend that you seek the advice of a licensed attorney. If you have any questions about this page and/or need to talk with an attorney, contact us today for a free, no cost consultation to discuss your legal rights. At Strom Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services designed to protect your rights and your interests. Our lawyers are licensed in South Carolina, New York, and Georgia.
