Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Our society has become so accustomed to cars that we often do not stop to think about the impact on pedestrians. In recent years, the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents here in South Carolina continues to increase. Many of these collisions, which are often fatal to the pedestrian, are the direct result of driver negligence.
No pedestrian stands a chance when struck by a car or truck. A qualified Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer can help level the playing field, however, when it comes to seeking compensation for a victim’s injuries. At the Stanley Law Group, our South Carolina personal injury team has over 60 years of combined experience in representing pedestrian accident victims. We can fight for your rights under the law and help you obtain a measure of civil justice.
When Is a Motorist Liable for Hitting a Pedestrian in South Carolina?
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in South Carolina has a duty of care to operate that vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. This duty includes exercising due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. Among other things, this includes yielding to pedestrians who are lawfully in a crosswalk and not attempting to pass another vehicle that has stopped to allow a pedestrian to make a legal crossing.
Indeed, most pedestrian accidents occur at intersections due to a driver’s failure to obey basic traffic safety laws. Such behavior is negligent. The injured pedestrian can seek financial compensation, known as damages, through a personal injury claim. Such damages include compensation for out-of-pocket losses, such as medical bills, and income lost due to time missed from work, as well as non-economic losses, such as the victim’s pain and suffering. In fatal pedestrian accidents, the victim’s family and estate may also seek damages through a wrongful death claim.
At the same time, it is important to note that motorists are not always legally responsible for hitting a pedestrian. South Carolina follows a modified comparative fault rule in all personal injury cases. This enables the driver to turn around and argue the pedestrian actually caused their own accident, say by running into the middle of the street or failing to stay on a marked sidewalk. A judge must reduce a pedestrian’s damages to account for their comparative fault–and in some cases the victim may walk away with nothing. This is just one reason it is crucial to work with an experienced Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer from the outset.
Contact Our Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A pedestrian accident often leaves the lives of the victim and their families in shambles. Money alone can never restore things to the way they were. But it can help bring some measure of justice to the victim and their families.
So if you, or someone that you love, has been recently hit by a car while walking down the street, it is imperative that you speak with a Charleston pedestrian accident without delay. Call the Stanley Law Group at 803-799-4700 or contact us online today to request a free consultation.
