Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer Bert Louthian has four decades of experience representing victims and their families. When you or a loved one have been in a pedestrian accident, The The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers can represent your legal interests and seek financial compensation on your behalf. We handle claims throughout the Columbia, SC region.
When you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, the future may seem uncertain. Growing bills, personal expenses and physical pain can quickly create stress, worry and suffering.
Lawyer Bert Louthian represents pedestrian accident victims in the Columbia, SC area. He wants to take the stress away from you and handle the legal process while you focus on everything else.
Attorney for Pedestrian Accidents in Columbia, SC
For your free consultation, contact The The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers. See how a lawyer for pedestrian accidents in Columbia, SC can help you. Start your case as early as today.
Call (803) 592-6231 to begin.
Claiming Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
If you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, you should know:
- South Carolina laws protect pedestrians who are injured because of the negligence of others.
- You may deserve financial compensation.
- Pedestrians often have serious injuries that impact them in the future. You may claim fair compensation for current and future damages.
- A claim may include pain and suffering and emotional anguish.
- You can have a Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer represent you.
When you’re injured, it can be hard to know how to go about claiming fair compensation. You need to know the following:
- Who is responsible to pay compensation and why
- How to claim compensation
- What your case is worth
- How to negotiate your case effectively
- What legal steps to take, if needed
The The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers represents pedestrian accident victims through all steps of claiming compensation. We want you to receive justice, and we want to take care of the legal steps so that you can focus on healing.
Since 1985, lawyer Bert Louthian has advocated for victims in the Columbia, SC region. To talk about your situation and get personalized advice, we invite you to contact us.
Examples of Fault for a Pedestrian Accident
Here are some grounds for fault for a pedestrian accident:
- Turning in front of a pedestrian in a crosswalk
- Driving too close to the shoulder
- Failing to adjust speeds in an area where pedestrians may be present
- Backing up without looking behind
- Failing to yield the right of way when necessary
- Driving under the influence
- Texting while driving, distracted driving
- Careless or reckless driving
- Road rage, intentional harm
Fault for a pedestrian accident is based on negligence. Drivers have a duty of care to others including pedestrians. The duty of care is to follow traffic laws and otherwise act like a reasonable person would under the circumstances.
Negligence may make a person responsible to pay compensation for injury to a pedestrian. Many claims are settled through insurance policies and settlements, but you may take your claim to court. Columbian pedestrian accident lawyer Bert Louthian can represent you through the legal process to receive your compensation.
South Carolina Pedestrian Laws
Here are some of the laws that apply to pedestrian traffic in South Carolina:
- Where there is an available sidewalk, the pedestrian must use it rather than the roadway.
- If there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian must walk as far on the shoulder and away from the roadway as they can.
- Unless granted the right of way, pedestrians must yield to vehicles
- Vehicular traffic turning right or left in an intersection must yield to pedestrians lawfully present.
- When a pedestrian faces a green signal, they may cross the intersection (unless the green signal is a turn signal).
- A pedestrian should not start to cross an intersection when the signal is yellow.
- If a signal says “walk,” pedestrians may cross. If the signal says “wait,” pedestrians may not start to cross.
What side of the road should pedestrians walk on in South Carolina?
If there is no sidewalk or shoulder on a two-lane roadway, the pedestrian should walk on the left side of the roadway as near to the outside edge of the road as possible.
Who is a pedestrian in SC?
South Carolina law defines a pedestrian as any person “afoot.” (S.C. Code § 56-5-390).
As a pedestrian, you might be:
- Walking down a sidewalk
- Crossing the street at an intersection
- Using a pedestrian crossing
- Walking on the side of the road
- Sitting at an outdoor restaurant or coffee shop
- In a parking lot
- Entering or exiting a building
- Going for a walk
You may be a pedestrian several times in a day. If you are harmed while on foot, South Carolina laws may allow you to claim compensation. We can help.
Who is a driver?
A driver is anyone who drives or is in physical control of a vehicle.
Pedestrian Accident Case FAQs
What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident?
First, seek medical attention if you or anyone with you was injured. Next, contact the police department so they can respond to the scene and file a report. Ask others who might have witnessed the accident for their contact information. If you are able to do so, take pictures of the scene of the accident.
Who is responsible for my injuries?
It is often the driver of the automobile who is responsible for a pedestrian accident. However, if the driver was working while they struck a pedestrian, blame could potentially be placed on their employer, too. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney will investigate your case to determine who might be held responsible.
Should I speak to the driver’s insurance company?
No. Do not speak with another person’s insurance company. It is their job to reduce the amount of money that they will pay an injured person. Leave this correspondence to your attorney.
Should I speak to the driver’s attorneys?
No. Much like the insurance companies, it is the job of an attorney to protect their client from liability. They will not be looking after your best interests. This is another matter best left to your own attorney.
What kind of documents should I be keeping for my case?
You’ll want to keep a copy of the police report filed at the time of your accident. You should also keep any and all medical bills that you receive following your accident. It is a good idea to keep an injury journal documenting any doctor visits, pain levels you experience and any other relevant information about your ongoing treatment.
Why should I hire an attorney?
As you can see, there are many other parties (insurance companies and the driver’s attorneys, for example) who will be working on behalf of their client to shift blame onto you. Your own attorney will fight for your best interests and make sure you are protected. Your attorney will take the necessary actions to make sure that you receive compensation for your damages.
What qualities should I look for when hiring an attorney?
Perhaps the most important quality to look for in an attorney is experience. You should ask your attorney what kind of background they have in these cases and what kind of success they have had in the past. You should also make sure that an attorney is licensed to practice law in your state. It is often preferable for an attorney to have experience in your specific area (i.e., city or county).
What kind of compensation can I seek after a pedestrian accident?
You can seek compensation for the damages you’ve sustained in an accident. This includes, but is not limited to, pain and suffering, initial costs of treatment, ongoing medical treatment, loss of income due to your injury and loss of income due to a diminished work capacity.
Should I try to settle before hiring an attorney?
Absolutely not. Even if it is your goal to settle, the experience of an attorney can be invaluable to your case. If you attempt to handle the case yourself, you could actually end up hurting your chances of receiving any compensation.
What if my accident was a hit-and-run?
If the driver who hit you fled the scene, then you can still take action to receive payment for your injuries. If the driver is found, then they can be held responsible. An attorney will have the experience necessary to deal with the insurance company to make sure you are treated fairly.
The Columbia pedestrian accident attorneys at the The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers have the experience and the resources to make sure that your best interests are being represented. We can help you determine who is at fault for your accident and guide you through the process so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
The Process – The 1-2-3 Steps for Success
When we represent pedestrian accident victims, we use the 1-2-3 steps for success.
One – Learning Your Story
First, we learn about you. We need to know what happened and how you are impacted. We answer your questions, explain your rights and discuss your case.
Two – Creating a Legal Strategy
Together, we create a legal strategy for your case. By understanding your situation and your needs, we can personalize our approach to your situation. Our case plan is always adaptable, and we are available to answer questions.
Three – Advocating for You
Then, we go to work for you. We take care of all aspects of your case. Our team focuses on building technical evidence including expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, chemical test results, demonstrative displays and other tools to build a strong case. Then, we work on your behalf for the appropriate resolution.
Taking New Cases – Talk to a Lawyer Now
If you are a pedestrian accident victim, we want to help you. Talk to Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer Bert Louthian of The The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers. We want you to receive fair compensation when you are the victim of an accident.
We represent victims and families who are impacted by pedestrian accidents. If you have lost a loved one, we are truly sorry. Contact us by phone or online to talk about your situation and how we can represent you.