Pedestrian Accidents
While traffic accidents put everyone at risk, pedestrians are the most vulnerable to serious injuries and devastating losses. When you’re out and about on foot – enjoying everything that the beautiful State of South Carolina has to offer – it’s important to recognize that there’s nothing to protect you from the impact of an accident and driver negligence, such as distraction and excess speed, makes pedestrian accidents far more likely. If you find yourself in the challenging position of having been injured by a motorist’s negligence, it’s time to consult with an experienced South Carolina pedestrian accident attorney.
The Rules of the Road
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reminds motorists that they owe a duty of care to everyone on the road, including pedestrians. Because those on foot are both more difficult to see and more vulnerable to serious injuries, drivers are warned to keep all the following in mind:
- Motorists are required to exercise the care necessary to avoid pedestrian accidents.
- Motorists must yield to pedestrians crossing at crosswalks when there are no traffic-control signals or when those signals aren’t operational.
- Motorists shouldn’t pass or overtake other drivers who are stopped to allow pedestrians to cross at marked crosswalks.
In other words, motorists bear a significant responsibility for the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians, however, are also responsible for following all pedestrian traffic lights, signs, and signals and for proceeding with caution.
Serious Injuries
The injuries you suffer in a pedestrian accident can be life-threatening, and some of the most common include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Serious burns, cuts, and abrasions that can lead to dangerous infections and permanent disfigurement
- Limb loss and injuries that require amputation
- Soft tissue injuries like whiplash
- Broken bones
Your Physical, Financial, and Emotional Losses
The losses – or legal damages – you incur as a result of a driver’s negligence in a pedestrian accident can be immense, including in all the following categories:
- Your medical bills, including both current and ongoing
- Your lost income, including any losses that relate to earning potential
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering
Even if you share responsibility for the pedestrian accident that leaves you injured in South Carolina, you can seek compensation for the percentage of your damages that the negligent driver is responsible for – if they bear at least 50 percent of the fault.
Reach Out to an Experienced South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Attorney for the Help You Need
The compassionate pedestrian accident attorneys at Oxner & Stacy Law Firm LLC – proudly serving Georgetown and the Grands Strand of South Carolina – have the keen legal skill, experience, and resources to help guide your claim toward a favorable resolution that covers your full range of losses and supports your renewed health and well-being. Our accomplished legal team is on your side and here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 866-586-0116 for more information about what we can do for you today.