Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian safety is a serious issue. Unfortunately, South Carolina ranks among the bottom of states for pedestrian safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that South Carolina had the fifth-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country in 2022. Only New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, and Florida were less safe for pedestrians.

You may be wondering: What are the main causes of pedestrian accidents? The short answer is that these collisions can happen in a wide range of different ways—but driver error is consistently a leading cause. Here, our Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer provides a more detailed overview of the leading causes of pedestrian crashes in South Carolina.

The Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in South Carolina

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a leading cause of pedestrian collisions in South Carolina. Unfortunately, many innocent people in Charleston and throughout the state are struck by distracted drivers each year.

Drivers who divert their attention from the road—even if seemingly only briefly—significantly increase the risk of hitting a pedestrian.

Texting and driving is especially dangerous. For example, a driver glancing down at a phone might fail to notice a pedestrian stepping into the crosswalk. That momentary distraction can lead to a crash.

Speed-Related Pedestrian Collisions

Speed is another serious safety hazard for pedestrians. Speeding both increases the likelihood and potential severity of pedestrian accidents. When drivers exceed speed limits, they have less time to notice pedestrians and insufficient distance to stop safely. As an example, imagine a driver in Charleston who exceeds the speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour (MPH). If that motorist strikes a pedestrian, it could cause very serious, potentially, even fatal injuries.

Failure to Yield Accidents

Many pedestrian accidents happen because a driver fails to properly yield the right-of-way. When drivers neglect to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, they are creating a major safety hazard. It is a traffic violation that is most common at crosswalks and intersections. These are the main areas where pedestrians legally have priority. Drivers may be inattentive or in a hurry—and they might ignore traffic signals and/or pedestrian rights. For instance, a driver turning onto a street in Charleston might fail to yield to someone crossing at the crosswalk. That disregard for pedestrian safety can cause a serious collision.

Intoxicated Driving Crashes

Impaired driving is dangerous driving. A disproportionate number of catastrophic and fatal pedestrian crashes are caused by motorists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving under the influence (DUI) impairs the judgment, coordination, and reaction time of motorists.

Further, there is a wide body of evidence that shows that intoxicated drivers are simply less likely to observe traffic laws and even notice the presence of pedestrians. The crash risk is significant.

Imagine a driver in Charleston leaves a bar late in the evening. They make the bad (and illegal) decision to drive while intoxicated. With impaired senses, the driver could easily overlook a pedestrian crossing a nearby street. The consequences could be a serious or fatal accident.

Road Construction Issues 

All construction contractors and road maintenance crews need to take proper care when doing work. A disproportionate share of pedestrian accidents happen in road construction zones. Why is this such a big issue? Construction zones can create confusion and unexpected hazards. Changes in traffic patterns, closed sidewalks, unclear signage, and a wide range of other issues can put pedestrians in harm’s way. Further, local drivers unfamiliar with the new layout may not anticipate pedestrians in altered areas. For example, imagine that during roadwork a driver misinterprets detour signs and accidentally enters a zone where pedestrians are present. The mistake can result in an accident due to the unpredictable environment.

Poor Road Design

Our highway infrastructure has a big impact on pedestrian safety. Well-designed roads and sidewalks can actually go a long way toward reducing the risk of pedestrian collisions. On the other hand, flawed road design can dramatically increase the likelihood of a bad pedestrian crash. Some common examples of road design problems include issues related to a lack of sidewalks, poor lighting, insufficient crosswalks, and poor signage.

Pedestrian Error

Pedestrians have responsibilities too. Some pedestrian collisions happen because of errors by the pedestrian. Indeed, pedestrian negligence is an issue that will be reviewed in every pedestrian crash claim by the insurance company. Insurers are trying to find strategies that they can use to pay out less in settlement. Ignoring traffic signals, crossing streets mid-block, or walking while distracted could all be deemed pedestrian negligence.

South Carolina is a comparative negligence state. If a pedestrian is deemed partially (or wholly) responsible for causing their accident, that will have a big impact on the claims process. For example, imagine you suffered $60,000 in damages in a pedestrian crash. If you are found at fault for 30 percent of the crash, you would be liable for 30 percent of your own damages ($18,000). If your fault exceeds 50 percent, then you are barred from recovery as a matter of law in our state.

Injured Pedestrians Deserve Full and Fair Financial Compensation

In South Carolina, injured pedestrians have the right to seek compensation for the full value of their damages, including for any non-economic losses. How much can you expect to recover after suffering a serious injury in an accident? The answer depends on case-specific factors—including liability and damages. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on any insurance company to look out for your rights or your interests after a pedestrian crash. Our Charleston, SC pedestrian injury lawyer is prepared to fight for the maximum settlement or verdict. You may be able to recover for:

• Ambulance costs;
• Emergency room care;
• Hospital bills;
• Other medical expenses;
• Physical therapy;
• Loss of wages;
• Diminishment of earnings;
• Pain and suffering;
• Long-term disability; and
• Wrongful death.

Contact Our Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Attorney Trey Harrell is an experienced advocate for injured victims. If you were hurt in any type of pedestrian crash, we are here as a legal resource that you can trust. Contact us today to arrange a free, completely confidential initial case review. With an office in Charleston, we handle pedestrian accident injury cases throughout the surrounding area in South Carolina. Remember Trey Helps!