Greenville is a pedestrian-friendly city with an active nightlife, but even pedestrians in Greenville face many hazards.
Dangerous or negligent drivers are at the top of the list. Each year, dozens of people are injured when a driver crashes into them, sometimes at top speeds. An injured pedestrian can end up in the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and they need powerful painkillers to get through the day. Contact McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy if you were injured in a crash.
A Greenville pedestrian accident lawyer can meet to discuss your injuries in greater detail and provide an overview of your right to sue.
Primary Reasons Behind Pedestrian Collisions
Pedestrians should feel comfortable walking around Greenville. But too many are injured by negligent drivers who hit them because of:
- Fatigue. A tired driver has delayed reflexes and might nod off briefly. They might run right through an intersection without stopping.
- Speeding. The faster a vehicle is going, the longer it takes to stop. Speeding motorists cause major injuries when they are unable to stop in time and go into the crosswalk.
- Distraction. A driver faces many distractions, but cell phones are at the top of the list. When a driver is distracted, they don’t stop because they can’t see a pedestrian crossing in front of them.
- Intoxication or drug use. Impaired drivers exhibit poor judgment and manual control, so they can crash into a pedestrian.
- Inexperience. New drivers might not understand when they need to yield to pedestrians, or they make an illegal turn and pull directly into someone in the crosswalk.
You might not know what caused your accident. One second you were crossing the street, and the next you were on your back in an ambulance. Let our Greenville pedestrian accident attorney go over the evidence to determine what happened.
Compensation for Painful Injuries
Compensation for an accident should cover all economic and non-economic damages. McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy is dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive as much compensation as possible.
Economic damages include all out-of-pocket losses and expenses, such as:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages or income
- Lost work-related benefits
Non-economic damages cover things like:
- Bodily pain
- Mental distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diminished enjoyment of life
All pedestrian accident victims deserve legal help negotiating a settlement. Do not expect the driver’s liability insurer to make a fair offer. Typically, they shortchange injured victims when it comes to offering fair compensation for non-economic damages like pain. We have seen people with major injuries get an offer for only a few thousand in damages for pain and suffering. Let our Greenville pedestrian accident lawyer review any settlement offer and see if it is adequate.
Impact of Comparative Negligence on Your Case
South Carolina operates under a comparative negligence rule. An injured pedestrian can seek financial compensation if they do not bear most of the blame for a collision. In other words, you can seek compensation provided you are not more than 50% at fault for the wreck.
Some pedestrians contribute to an accident by walking on the shoulder instead of on the sidewalk, or they jaywalk in the middle of the street because it is convenient. The defendant will highlight these actions and try to blame you for causing the crash. Our job is to minimize your share of blame.
Even if your fault is 50% or less, your compensation is reduced by your portion of the fault. Someone who is 40% at fault will receive 40% less than they otherwise would. It takes a big bite.
Our Greenville pedestrian accident attorneys always take seriously any allegation of comparative fault. We will gather evidence to show a negligent driver was mostly to blame.
Five Mistakes to Avoid after a Pedestrian Accident
Obtaining compensation for injuries is never easy. Many pedestrian accident victims make simple mistakes that end up hampering their right to compensation. We recommend you avoid the following mistakes:
- Do not admit fault for the crash. Even if you were jaywalking, you might still have a right to receive compensation. Apologizing or admitting fault will only hurt your case. You could end up with $0.
- Avoid leaving the scene without documenting the accident. Of course, you might be knocked unconscious after the collision. But if you can move around, then speak with witnesses and take photographs of the car that struck you. Any evidence is useful for reconstructing what happened.
- Do not self-diagnose your injuries. You should go to a hospital and have a doctor order diagnostic tests to properly identify your injuries. Go as soon as possible and follow any treatment plan.
- Never participate in a recorded interview with an insurance company. A claims adjuster might call a week after the crash and ask if you’ll answer some questions. These are usually fishing expeditions to get you to admit fault or slip up and say your injuries aren’t serious. Your statements might show up later and undercut your claim.
- Do not negotiate your settlement. Do you know how much your pain is worth? Few people do. Chances are you’ll accept a low settlement if you don’t have a lawyer negotiate for you. A lawyer can take the necessary steps to ensure your case is strong, including filing a lawsuit before the statutory deadline.
You will bolster your case by connecting with a seasoned legal advocate who can review your legal rights and ensure insurance companies don’t hassle you. McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy is eager to help in any way possible.
Ready to Learn More? Call Us Today
Injured pedestrians have a legal right to submit an injury claim on the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. However, the process for obtaining a settlement is complicated. Insurance companies often blame victims for the crash or drag their feet and delay opening an investigation. As the weeks and months roll by, medical bills and other expenses pile up. You need help.
You need an experienced law firm in your corner to fight for a meaningful settlement. Call McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy today to schedule a free consultation with a Greenville pedestrian accident lawyer.