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Many people in Columbia, SC, walk daily to exercise or reach their destinations. In 2020 alone, there were 974 motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in South Carolina. Of those, 186 were fatal crashes, and 762 produced injuries. The pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 residents ranks South Carolina as the second worst in the U.S.
You may wonder what to do if you or a loved one sustained injuries as a pedestrian. A Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer from Shealey Law Firm can provide you the next steps to start legal action. Contact us to get started.
Why Call a Columbia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Immediately?
Any auto accident can leave those involved facing medical bills, lost wages and significant stress. Pedestrian injuries are usually serious and can leave those people incapacitated and unable to take necessary actions.
Your Columbia pedestrian accident attorney from Shealey Law Firm will pursue your insurance claim so you can focus on recovering. We will:
- Offer information and legal advice
- Take care of accident-related paperwork and other administrative tasks
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence to hold guilty parties accountable
- Speak to insurance company representatives on your behalf
- Negotiate a favorable settlement offer or take your case to trial if it’s in your best interest
Protecting your right to compensation is behind everything we do.
What Can Cause Pedestrian Accidents in Columbia, SC?
Every accident is different, and they happen for various reasons. Your Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer will investigate what caused your accident so we can make the guilty parties pay.
Driver error
Many pedestrian accidents are avoidable because they result from driver error:
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Driving while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to follow traffic laws
- Not yielding the right of way
- Speeding
Distracted driving also causes many accidents. Distracted driving takes many forms:
- Texting or other hands-on use of phones
- Eating, drinking and smoking
- Fixing hair or putting on makeup
- Daydreaming or interacting with passengers
- Searching for objects in the vehicle
Any form of driver error can delay reaction times, often leaving drivers without enough time to avoid a collision. In these cases, drivers are likely guilty of negligence, and you can hold them liable.
Environmental conditions
Some pedestrian accidents happen because of poor lighting and low visibility, sometimes due to fog or heavy rain. Slick roads and high winds can also make driving safely challenging. Drivers may swerve to avoid colliding with objects in the roadway and hit pedestrians instead.
Poorly maintained infrastructure
Poorly maintained roads may have potholes or cracks that cause cars to shift unavoidably. Traffic lights and walk signals can malfunction and contribute to causing pedestrian accidents.
Government agencies are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of roads and traffic signals. Your Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer from Shealey Law Firm can hold the appropriate agency responsible.
Mechanical errors
Although infrequent, a car’s brakes, steering or other parts or systems can fail and cause crashes. In these cases, parts or vehicle manufacturers may share the blame.
Pedestrian errors
South Carolina has laws that describe the obligations and rights of pedestrians. If pedestrians don’t follow these regulations, they can cause accidents:
- When crosswalks are available, pedestrians must use them.
- Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks but must yield to automobiles when crosswalks are unavailable.
- Pedestrians should obey walk/don’t walk signals and traffic lights.
- Walking on interstates is illegal.
- Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available.
Many other laws apply to pedestrians. Even when vehicles have the right of way, drivers should yield to pedestrians and attempt to avoid hitting them.
Younger children don’t understand the risks of entering a street and often dart into traffic too. Drivers may be unable to avoid hitting them.
Shared fault
More than one party contributes to causing many accidents. A competent Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer will seek compensation from at-fault parties. Even if you are partially responsible, you may qualify for compensation under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rules.
What Are Common Injuries for Pedestrians?
Pedestrians have no protection against auto collisions, making the chances of experiencing severe injuries very high. Young children and adults over 65 are at the highest risk of sustaining serious injuries in pedestrian accidents.
When a car hits an average-height adult pedestrian, there are usually three stages of impact:
- The auto hits the pedestrian’s lower body.
- The pedestrian typically hits the car’s hood or windshield.
- Pedestrians usually hit the ground after impact.
Cars impact children and shorter adults in different areas. The initial collision can hit more of the pedestrian’s body, often causing more significant primary injuries.
Common pedestrian injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones and dislocated shoulders
- Face, neck and head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises
- Internal organ damage
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident, your experienced Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer from Shealey Law Firm will seek compensation for your damages from all guilty parties.
How Does a Columbia Pedestrian Accident Attorney Determine Fault?
At-fault parties are responsible for paying compensation, but you must prove fault. The legal team at Shealey Law Firm will search for evidence from every available source, including:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Video surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
Our competent investigators know what evidence to look for, and how to find it.
What Damages Can You Receive?
Compensation amounts vary by case. Pedestrian accidents may qualify you to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Losing your enjoyment of life
The Shealey Law Firm can tell you how much your case is worth.
Why Should You Hire Shealey Law Firm as Your Columbia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Trust is everything. Brian and Luke Shealey founded our firm in 2013. Since then, we have fought to protect our clients’ best interests. We understand how to handle pedestrian accidents successfully and will seek maximum compensation for your damages.
If you need a competent Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer, contact Shealey Law Firm 24/7 to request your free consultation. Call us at 803-590-3917 or submit our contact form.