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Fighting for South Carolina Injury Victims for Over 50 Years
Earlier this year, WBTW-TV reported that nearly 1 in 5 of the people killed in traffic accidents so far this year were pedestrians, and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety said pedestrian deaths had increased 60 percent between 2013 and 2017.
The Greenville News reported that pedestrian fatalities in Greenville County decreased to 10 in 2018 after there were 21 pedestrian deaths in 2017 and 20 in 2016 – but the South Carolina Highway Patrol said there had been 159 pedestrian fatalities in 2017 compared to 100 in 2013.
These news stories make it clear that pedestrians in South Carolina face very real dangers while walking on sidewalks and roadsides, while crossing streets, and in parking lots. And the problem appears to be getting worse.
A Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) study found that pedestrian accidents have reached a 28 year high in the United States, according to a report on NPR. Some of the reasons for the increase in pedestrian accidents (particularly fatal accidents) were cited as:
Corporal Sonny Collins told WBTW that most crashes with pedestrians occur at night. WBTW recounted the story of a 28-year-old woman who was hit and killed on the side of Peachtree Road in Socastee when she was walking late at night in August 2018 and her body was not found for six days.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents generally include:
You can increase your chances of staying safe by trying to walk only during daylight hours. If you must walk at night, wear bright clothing or something that helps make you more visible to drivers.
It is also important for you to remain aware of what is going on around you. Avoid any activities such as text messaging or using a cell phone while you are walking. If you need to do something else, you should stop to take care of the matter before resuming walking.
As a driver, it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings and obey the rules of the road at all times. Make sure to watch for pedestrians as you drive and remember that you must yield right-of-way to them.
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in South Carolina, you will only have a limited amount of time to seek justice.
Jebaily Law Firm has been helping clients for Over 50 Years. We have office locations in Florence and North Myrtle Beach. Call one of our pedestrian accident attorneys today or contact us online for a free consultation.