South Carolina Pedestrian Accident LawyersWithout seat belts, air bags, helmets or other means of protection, pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable travelers on our roads. And in our car-centered culture, many drivers of cars and trucks simply don't look for or don't notice pedestrians; many are unaware of or simply ignore local laws requiring them to yield to pedestrians trying to cross a street. That can mean serious injuries or death for the pedestrian. If you or someone you care about was hurt or killed in a car-pedestrian accident through no fault of their own, contact the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656 or online for a free evaluation of your case. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that a pedestrian is killed by a car every 108 minutes and injured every eight minutes; pedestrians made up 11 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2005. And in 2006, the South Carolina Highway Patrol reported our state's highest number of pedestrian fatalities in 17 years.While traffic laws vary between cities and towns, the law generally gives pedestrians rights as well as responsibilities. Drivers of cars and trucks must yield to pedestrians, even those who violate traffic laws, but pedestrians have a legal duty to obey those laws and take reasonable care to avoid being hit. In short, everyone has a duty to ensure traffic safety; ignoring safety could limit a pedestrian's right to recover money in a pedestrian accident lawsuit. The law gives drivers a special duty to watch out for blind and disabled people, children getting out of school buses and other specific categories of pedestrian. Because children cannot drive and may not be fully aware of the dangers of traffic, they are at special risk for a pedestrian accident. That's reflected in the statistics: 43% of 2005 pedestrian accidents that killed children under 16 happened between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The elderly are also at special risk; in 2005, about a quarter of all traffic fatalities were adults ages 60 or older. However, the NHTSA also found that 32 percent of pedestrians killed in 2005 had a blood-alcohol concentration over the legal limit, which may have caused poor decisions that led to their crashes. If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should speak to the knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Pedestrian accidents can be contentious, with both sides arguing about fault even as bills pile up. Pedestrians who survive a crash often come away with very serious, potentially disabling injuries like neck and spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and multiple fractures. Good legal representation can help you secure money to help pay medical bills, funeral costs and lost wages, as well as compensate you for pain and suffering, wrongful death and other emotional injuries. For a free consultation with no obligation on your part, call the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656. For additional information on vehicle accidents, please browse our website: South Carolina Pedestrian Injury Attorney Disclaimer: The pedestrian accident, motor vehicle accident, struck by car, pedestrian injury or other legal personal injury information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Further communication with our attorneys through the website and email may not be considered as confidential or privileged. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a Columbia South Carolina personal injury lawyer at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A. for a consultation on your particular personal injury matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of South Carolina. |
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