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Of all the people on the road in South Carolina, pedestrians are at the highest risk for serious, debilitating and even life-threatening injuries. Because you have no protection, you’re more likely to take severe damage even compared to motorcyclists, who make up another high-risk group.
Because you are more likely to have severe injuries that interrupt your life and change the trajectory of your future, you’re also more likely to need financial compensation to help.
If you’re looking for an astute and skilled Summerville pedestrian accident lawyer to take up your case, look no further. Trey Harrell will stand by your side through the entire process, working hard to get you the highest amount of compensation.
What is a Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian accident occurs when a motorized vehicle hits someone who’s traveling outside of a motorized vehicle.
Most often, the second party is simply walking or jogging, often within designated pedestrian spaces, such as crosswalks or sidewalks.
Any driver of a motorized vehicle might end up involved in a pedestrian crash, including:
- Cars and trucks
- Motorcycles
- Public transportation vehicles
Sometimes, even cyclists who end up hitting joggers or people walking can end up involved in a pedestrian crash case.
The smaller the motorized vehicle, the less severe a pedestrian’s injuries may be. However, because pedestrians have so little protection when involved in crashes, “less severe” doesn’t mean mild.
A Summerville pedestrian accident lawyer like Trey Harrell can help you gain compensation for these injuries and get your life back on track.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Summerville
When a motorized vehicle crashes into a pedestrian, it’s often for a completely avoidable reason, making these accidents even more tragic.
Some of the most common reasons for a pedestrian accident include:
- Reckless, negligent or distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Left turns
- Poor road designs
Many times, a driver simply isn’t paying enough attention to their surroundings or they’re going too fast. It’s harder to spot and react to a pedestrian than another vehicle, meaning drivers must pay close attention when pedestrians are in the mix.
However, sometimes the circumstances leading to a crash are out of everyone’s hands. A poorly designed road may place a crosswalk right around a turn that drivers can’t see past, for example.
A Summerville pedestrian accident attorney can help you figure out who is at fault in these accidents. Knowing who to pursue for damages can take some of the stress out of the situation.
Injuries Sustained by Pedestrians in Accidents with Motor Vehicles
Almost any pedestrian who’s involved in a crash with a motor vehicle will suffer from one or more of the following:
- Scrapes and road rash
- Bruises
- Fractured or broken bones
However, because you have so little protection as a pedestrian, you’re more likely to suffer from severe and extreme injuries. This can include:
- Full body burns
- Traumatic head injuries
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Amputation
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
The severity of your injuries depends on several factors, such as the size of the vehicle that hits you and the speed of the driver at the time of the crash.
Unfortunately, injuries like this often take months or years to recover from, with some causing permanent disabilities. This not only affects your finances in terms of medical treatment but can also impact your ability to hold down a job, thus influencing your income.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Before pursuing damages for a pedestrian accident, it’s best to answer any questions you may have. Understanding the situation you’re in can help you get the most out of your search for compensation.
What damages may you receive?
As the victim of a pedestrian accident, you have the option to pursue different forms of compensation, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
It’s hard to give a ballpark estimate for the amount of compensatory payment you may get, though. This is because the court awards compensation based on many factors, including your personal finances, the severity of your injury and whether you have other systems of support in place.
Who’s liable for pedestrian accidents?
Most times, the driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian is liable for the crash. Pedestrians have the right of way, meaning cars must stop for them.
However, there are some cases where pedestrians are at fault. This can include not following traffic signals, jaywalking (i.e. crossing the street where there isn’t a crosswalk) or crossing the street under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In other cases, the city may hold liability. Examples include poorly designed roads or a lack of maintenance, such as overgrown trees blocking the view of a crosswalk.
How long do you have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
According to S.C. Code § 15-3-530, you have three years to file your claim. The countdown begins from the date of your injury, not the date of your medical examination, recovery or any other metric.
When you team up with a pedestrian accident lawyer, Summerville residents like you can rest at ease knowing you’ll never have to worry about missing one of these crucial deadlines.
Reach Out to a Summerville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
As a pedestrian, getting into a crash with a motorized vehicle is a losing battle. You can suffer from life-altering injuries like head trauma and full-body burns. Not only could you spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses throughout your recovery, but you could also lose income because of an inability to work.
Therefore it’s crucial to hire a Summerville pedestrian accident lawyer. It takes the stress of handling legalities off your already-full plate.
Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney will help you with your legal case. To receive the compensation you deserve, contact us today 843-636-8739.
