Pedestrian accidents are some of the worst that we see at McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy. Our clients often call from the hospital where they are recovering from traumatic injuries, including whiplash, fractures, and brain injuries. They are unsure of their legal rights but fearful they cannot pay their bills. These are serious accidents.
Our firm is glad to help anyone struggling with bodily injuries after an accident. Our Anderson pedestrian accident lawyer can meet to discuss your accident and analyze whether you have a legal right to seek compensation. Call us today—our consultations are free, and you are under no obligation to hire us. Instead, get the answers you need to your questions and learn more about what kinds of compensation we obtain for our clients.
We Make the Difference
Some pedestrians hope to tackle their own insurance claims. They have the name and insurance information for the driver who struck them and hope to fill out a couple of forms before receiving a check in their mailbox.
Instead, you should reach out to us. Winning an injury case is much harder than people realize. Our Anderson pedestrian accident lawyers can:
- Estimate the full value of your injuries and other losses;
- Negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company for full compensation;
- Reject any low offer and explain why you deserve more;
- Gather the necessary evidence to make a compelling claim.
Our office can also file a lawsuit, where necessary, to protect your legal rights. And our firm has the courtroom experience to win a case before a jury.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians can suffer horrifying injuries when a motor vehicle crashes into them. Some of the worst injuries include:
- Chest injuries. Fractured ribs, punctured lung, heart contusion, and kidney damage are common.
- Head injuries. Common injuries include concussions, traumatic brain injury, brain bleed, and more.
- Neck injuries. A pedestrian can suffer whiplash, cervical fracture, damaged nerves, and other injuries when they collide with a moving vehicle.
- Fractures. Any bone could break, but pelvic and leg fractures are common.
- Skin injuries. Even a low-speed collision can send a pedestrian sprawling. They can suffer abrasions when they skid along the road.
Go to the hospital after an accident so a doctor can check your injuries and begin treatment.
Remember to follow through with your treatment plan, otherwise the defendant might blame you for your pain.
Why Fault Matters for a Pedestrian Accident
South Carolina has important rules both motorists and pedestrians must follow. For example, a motorist must yield to a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk, and pedestrians shouldn’t dart in front of oncoming traffic if doing so would cause a collision.
Sometimes fault is contested. A driver might blame a pedestrian for lunging into traffic, but the pedestrian blames the driver for refusing to yield.
Our law firm can step in and collect evidence to reconstruct how the accident unfolded. Our pedestrian accident lawyer in Anderson uses the following evidence to assess fault:
- Witness testimony, including your memories.
- Any nearby security video that recorded the accident.
- Skid marks on the road.
- Electronic data from the vehicle.
- Medical records that can show where you were struck.
- The driver’s statements, made to you or the police.
- Any toxicology results if the driver was drunk or high on drugs.
Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident
Once we prove fault, our Anderson pedestrian accident lawyers seek full compensation for your injuries:
- Bills for medical care. Our clients often need diagnostic tests, surgery, time in the hospital, doctor’s visits, prescription medication, and crutches. We can also seek compensation if you require physical therapy or other rehabilitation services.
- Property damage. The collision could have damaged property, including any pet you were walking or an item you were carrying at the time of the collision.
- Lost wages/income. Bodily injuries often keep people from going back to work, so they lose critical income. We can seek full compensation for all lost income, even for those who are independent contractors or have gig income.
- Pain and suffering. Our clients deserve compensation for their pain and suffering, including sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Schedule a consultation today to find out more about how much you can receive. We typically negotiate with an at-fault driver’s liability insurer. Many factors go into how much our clients can receive, including the driver’s policy limit.
How Comparative Fault Impacts a Pedestrian Accident Case
South Carolina is a comparative fault state for personal injury cases. According to the state’s Supreme Court, a victim can receive compensation so long as they are not more than 50% at fault for their accident. If they are over this percentage—even by a little—they will receive nothing. The rule is that severe.
A pedestrian might be negligent and partially to blame for:
- Crossing outside the crosswalk;
- Crossing when a signal tells you not to cross;
- Jumping in front of a vehicle to cross the street;
- Walking in the road or on the shoulder instead of on the sidewalk;
- Walking with their back to traffic;
- Listening to music while walking.
Any comparative negligence will impact your personal injury case. If you are 50% or less to blame, then your compensation is reduced by a similar percentage. Someone 20% at fault will get, at most, 80% of their damages.
McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy is dedicated to fighting for the maximum compensation. We will do everything we can to reduce our client’s share of fault and pin all the blame on the driver who struck you.
Schedule Your Appointment with our Anderson Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Injured pedestrians have huge medical bills and need help accessing the legal system. Our team is ready to listen to your story and then start assembling evidence to prove what happened and who is to blame. We have an impressive track record of success helping people just like you after a devastating accident. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers today.