If you are reading this article, you or a family member has probably been in a pedestrian accident resulting in serious injury or death. You are not alone. Every day in South Carolina pedestrians cross the street, putting their lives at risk. Increasingly distracted drivers are hitting or running over more and more innocent people.
A vehicle hitting a pedestrian almost always results in serious harm to the pedestrian. Pedestrian accidents often result in devastating injuries to the head, neck and back, and in some cases, even death.
When a motorist does not exercise due care while operating a motor vehicle, then the driver is legally responsible for the injuries caused by his negligence. The injured pedestrian or family of the injured pedestrian are entitled to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering.
The same factors that contribute to other types of car accidents also cause pedestrian accidents. Drivers who engage in the following behaviors are the most likely to cause a pedestrian accident:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
- Distracted driving, especially texting while driving,
- Sleepy driving,
- Unlawful passing, or
- Speeding.
What is a pedestrian accident?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian accident occurs when a motor vehicle injures a person travelling “on foot.” Pedestrian accidents include being struck by a vehicle when:
- Crossing a crosswalk,
- Crossing a street mid-block,
- Crossing a street with no crosswalk,
- Walking beside a road or on the sidewalk,
- Walking in a parking lot, or
- Backing up.
What does traveling “on foot” mean?
A person traveling “on foot” includes:
- Walking,
- Running,
- Jogging,
- Hiking, or
- Bicycling.
The NHTSA further states that more than 4,000 people per year die in pedestrian accidents.
Who is most at risk for pedestrian accidents?
Our children are at highest risk for pedestrian accidents. The most common pedestrian accidents involving children occur when children get off the school bus or when children walk through a school crossing or crosswalk. In addition, many accidents occur in parking lots – cars and trucks back up without seeing children walking behind the vehicle. Finally, there are cases of children in pedestrian accidents while playing outside, in the driveway, or crossing the street.
What type of injuries occur in pedestrian accidents?
Car accidents are dangerous, but pedestrian accidents are deadly dangerous. In fact, pedestrians who are in an accident are 150% more likely to die from the accident than someone inside a motor vehicle. On average, one pedestrian dies as a result of an accident every few hours. Even if a person survives the accident, they may be victims of a brain injury.
Why are brain injuries so serious?
Pedestrian crashes have a high risk of resulting in brain injuries. The forces from the accident can often push a pedestrian’s head towards the vehicle. The pedestrian is at the mercy of 4,000 pounds of metal, while the driver sits protected.
The impact can cause the following injuries to the pedestrian:
- Concussion,
- Brain swelling,
- Internal bleeding, or
- Skull fractures.
These types of serious brain injuries lead to permanent brain damage; affecting memory, basic motor skills, language, and vision.
How do pedestrian accidents happen?
Pedestrian accidents are usually caused by inattentive drivers. Almost half of all pedestrian fatalities are caused by impaired or inattentive drivers. Most deaths occur in low visibility conditions in rural areas where a driver may not be devoting enough attention to the task of driving. In urban areas, most pedestrian accidents occur when an inattentive driver hits a pedestrian in a driveway, sidewalk, or crosswalk.
Need help with your pedestrian accident in Greenville SC?
An injured pedestrian that was not at fault in a pedestrian accident should not have to pay for medical bills, lost income and wages during rehabilitation, or pain and suffering. Moreover, families of pedestrians who died from car collisions also deserve fair compensation for their losses.
Contact David R. Price, Jr., P.A. if you or a loved one has been in a pedestrian accident. The attorneys at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. are committed to helping hold drivers responsible for their negligence in pedestrian accidents, and we will tirelessly and aggressively advocate for justice.
Attorneys representing insurance companies for drivers responsible for causing the accident will work very hard to minimize the compensation their clients pay. The most common tactic is to claim that the injured pedestrian caused the accident and was at fault for his injuries. As a result, it is imperative for you to have a tireless advocate in your corner.
The attorneys and staff at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. will investigate the details of your pedestrian car accident. We will build a case that accurately documents all of your damages and losses from the accident, and we will work to collect all of the financial restitution that you deserve.
