Charleston is a beautiful city to enjoy on foot, and when you’re in pedestrian mode, there is the added benefit of getting your steps in and doing your part for the environment. If, however, you’re injured by a motorist’s negligence, the damages you face can be devastating. If you or someone you love finds yourself in this difficult position, it’s time to consult with an experienced Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer.
Pedestrian Laws
While you are well advised to always proceed with caution when you are out walking, motorists on the road bear considerable responsibility for the safety of pedestrians who share the road with them – such as at crosswalks. The primary rules governing motorists in relation to pedestrians include the following:
- Motorists are responsible for exercising all due care to avoid harming pedestrians.
- Motorists are responsible for yielding to pedestrians who are crossing the street within crosswalks when there are no traffic control signals or when they’re not operational.
- Motorists are responsible for not passing or overtaking forward vehicles that are stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the road at marked crosswalks.
Motorists who lose sight of their immense responsibilities often cause dangerous pedestrian accidents.
Identifying Driver Negligence
When you’re on foot, you have nothing to protect you from the life-threatening impact of a traffic accident. In fact, an accident that would otherwise be considered relatively minor can prove fatal when a pedestrian is involved. As such, motorists must exercise the care necessary to spot pedestrians on the road and to accommodate their safe passage. Engaging in any of the following common forms of driver negligence puts pedestrians at significantly increased risk:
- Distraction
- Failure to follow the rules of the road
- Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians as required by law
- Excess speed
- Aggression
- Exhaustion
- Impairment
Seeking Compensation for Your Legal Damages
The losses – or legal damages – you experience as a result of a driver’s negligence in a pedestrian accident can be difficult to overstate, but they are classified in the following categories:
- Medical bills that cover related healthcare needs – both current and ongoing
- Lost income that may include career losses and a decline in your overall earning potential
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which refers to the emotional consequences that often haunt victims of violent pedestrian accidents
Your dedicated pedestrian accident attorney will carefully address the matter of your complete losses, which will play an important role in your ability to regain your health and well-being to the extent possible.
Consult with an Experienced Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
The capable Charleston pedestrian accident lawyers at John Price Law Firm are committed to fiercely advocating for a claim resolution that reflects your total damages, honors your legal rights, and supports your fullest recovery. Your claim is too important to put off, so please don’t wait to reach out and contact us online or call us at 843-552-6011 for more information today.