Car accidents can be deadly for drivers as well as their passengers, but they’re usually protected by air bags and seat belts; for pedestrians involved in car accidents, it can be another story entirely. If you were hit by a vehicle, you may have been severely injured, and your injuries may have left you incapacitated to some degree. You should call Double Aught Injury Lawyers, and their team will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
About South Carolina Pedestrian Accidents
Accident injury cases involving pedestrians can be particularly complex, especially when the injured person was doing something illegal such as jaywalking (i.e., not using a crosswalk); that’s why you should call an attorney near you to discuss the specifics of your case.
As a pedestrian, you may have been out walking or running yourself or your dog. Did you know that over ten percent of fatal car accidents in South Carolina involve a pedestrian? Hikers, bikers, walkers, and runners become victims of car accidents just by minding their own business, trying to spend some time having fun and getting some exercise.
Drivers are faced with a multitude of distractions on the road, and they can have a variety of other factors that cause them to drive in a manner less than their best, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; additionally, drivers may drive while tired or distracted (many by their phones). In order to get you the compensation you deserve, Double Aught Injury Lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident, including the above mentioned impairments and distractions of the driver who hit you, but also weather and road conditions – anything that may have contributed to the accident, and whether it could reasonably have been avoided.
Pedestrians and Drivers Have Rights and Responsibilities
Both pedestrians and drivers are obligated to follow the rules of the road, including paying attention to and obeying road signs and signals. Just like drivers of vehicles are supposed to stay on the road instead of driving on sidewalks, so too pedestrians are supposed to stay on the sidewalks and, when they need to cross the road, they should use crosswalks – but even then, always pay attention, looking both ways and practicing caution instead of jumping out into busy roads and darting into traffic.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When cars hit pedestrians, at least the driver and any passengers have the protection of their seat belts and air bags – not to mention, they’re surrounded by a mental car frame! Pedestrians don’t have any of those protections; rather, they’re out in the open, exposed, protected only by their clothing. The lack of anything to absorb the blow of being struck by a vehicle can leave pedestrians considerably more injured.
Walkers, runners, and other pedestrians can suffer serious injuries when they’re involved in accidents with vehicles. These injuries can include road rash and neck, head, and brain injuries, which can vary all the way from minor to severe, life-altering, and even crippling.
Recovering From a Car-Versus-Pedestrian Accident
Recovering from injuries caused by an accident can be daunting enough, especially depending on the severity of them, but when you consider the costs that arise from an accident like that, the medical bills can quickly add up. There are the more immediate costs such as ambulance transportation and hospital stays, but then the ongoing physical therapy and other treatments, not to mention any prescribed medication which you may need to take for months. If you’re a salaried employee and have access to paid time off, you might be able to take the necessary time off to recover so that you can return to work – if that’s even a possibility. If you work hourly, a car accident could spell disaster, with lost wages – you could even lose your job!
The combination of all these things makes it so much more important to hire an experienced attorney who will take the time to discuss the details of your case and explain your options. In situations like vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents, you should do what you can to get compensation, or you’ll soon find yourself with a looming mountain of debt you’re not sure how to find your way out of. Allow us to help you navigate this overwhelming process.
Should You File a Lawsuit?
If you’re still wondering whether to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were injured in a car accident as a pedestrian, here are some of the things you could miss out on if you fail to take your case to court:
Payment of medical bills – If the driver was found negligent, they could be legally responsible for reimbursing you for the medical bills you incurred
Pain and suffering – A negligent driver may be legally required to pay you for your pain and suffering (i.e., the mental/emotional toll it takes not to be able to live and enjoy your normal life)
Punitive damages – These fines are added when a driver is found guilty of gross negligence/recklessness in addition to negligence; their addition is meant to punish the driver
Lost wages – When you have to miss work (and any accompanying paychecks that would have come from it), you have the right to reimbursement by the person responsible for making you miss out on those opportunities
If you have been involved in a vehicle versus pedestrian accident, call our law office today to discuss your case and the options you have. Don’t let another day go by without calling Double Aught Injury Lawyers at 864-777-0000 who will provide a FREE consultation to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Client Reviews
While trying to find my way within the legal system, Bryan Ramey was a tremendous help with a legal matter. He was very forthcoming and knew exactly what I needed since I do not know legal jargon. I highly recommend him for all your legal needs. Steven Guthrie