When you are hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced, aggressive Columbia pedestrian accidents lawyer ready to go to bat for you. Pedestrian accidents are often devastating, causing significant injuries and financial losses. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Columbia personal injury lawyer takes your case seriously, provides you with honest, exceptional legal representation, and works hard to protect your right to compensation, such as the $2,000 obtained for a client injured in a pedestrian accident involving policy limits.
The Value of Hiring an Experienced Pedestrian Accidents Attorney
Walking is a great way to stay healthy and get around a walkable city or town. People do plenty of sitting, so pounding the pavement can be a refreshing change of pace. However, one must always be on guard because pedestrian accidents can strike at any time.
Working with a pedestrian accidents attorney in Columbia is critical in these situations. It is up to you to determine what your losses are and prove who is at fault. Let us make sure those who did this to you are held accountable.
Regardless of the kind of vehicle that hits a pedestrian, the damage is real, and injuries can last for months or years. Among other vital steps, enlisting the services of a Columbia personal injury lawyer is of the utmost importance. You need to recover the losses you have so you can move on with your future.
South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrian accidents are on the rise across the nation, and South Carolina ranks among the most dangerous states when it comes to these kinds of accidents. According to a study by Smart Growth America, South Carolina is the third deadliest state for pedestrians. The data shows that nearly 20 people die daily from motor-vehicle-pedestrian accidents, with approximately 7,500 pedestrians killed yearly.
This data highlights the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents in South Carolina. For those lucky enough to survive a pedestrian accident, it is crucial for them to speak with a pedestrian accidents lawyer in Columbia immediately. Doing so will help them get their life back on track.
Many people are struck by vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, and buses through no fault of their own, suffering a significant amount of loss for no reason. Our attorneys are ready to fight for you to reclaim your life or at least the financial compensation to help you get back on track. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys in Columbia are ready to help you.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When a pedestrian gets into an accident with a vehicle, the results are often catastrophic.. There is no denying the fact that the human body is not built to sustain the impact of a two-and-a-half-ton piece of metal on four wheels. Not only are these vehicles much larger than the person they are colliding with, but they are moving at a far greater speed.
This makes it much harder for pedestrians to get out of the way, increasing the potential for severe damage. Even if a bike hits a pedestrian, the damage can still be significant because it is a metal structure moving quickly. Common injuries associated with these accidents include the following:
- Head Injuries: experiencing a head-on collision with a car or truck can cause a victim’s skull to crash into the front of the vehicle or its windshield. Various physical and psychological signs of a traumatic brain injury can come about following such an injury.
- Broken Bones: Fracturing bones is typical of pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, breaking an arm or a leg or dislocating a hip can happen.
- Back Injuries: like head injuries, spinal cord injuries can do a great deal of harm to a person. The spine plays an integral role in the body, and a severe injury can affect a person’s limbs.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Are Likely to Take Place
Pedestrian accidents can take place at any location and at any time. However, there are some commonalities to be aware of so pedestrians can protect themselves. Urban environments are more prone to pedestrian accidents due largely to the increased number of pedestrians.
Accidents involving pedestrians are also likely to occur at intersections that are not built for pedestrian traffic. The time of day is another factor to consider. Pedestrian accidents are likely to happen at night because it is harder for vehicles to see people in the dark, especially on roads with poor lighting.
Weather conditions can also affect visibility. If it is snowing, raining, or foggy, pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by a vehicle. A pedestrian accidents attorney in Columbia can be a great resource for those injured by a vehicle.
What Typically Causes Pedestrian Accidents
It is clear how pedestrians are disadvantaged when involved in an accident, but what causes these accidents? Arguably, the biggest contributing factor is distracted driving. Whether the vehicle being operated is a truck, car, or bicycle, pedestrians are at risk if the driver takes their eyes off the road.
Two additional causes of pedestrian accidents include speeding and driving while intoxicated. If the driver is moving at high speeds, it is much harder for them to hit the brakes and come to a stop. If they are driving while drunk or high, then that makes matters worse.
If they are distracted, speeding, and driving under the influence, nearby pedestrians are in serious danger. As experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Columbia, we have helped many people find the support they need after such devastating accidents. Expect us to work diligently to prove your right to compensation.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
No one wants to be the victim of a pedestrian accident. However, it is essential to know what to do if faced with this unfortunate circumstance. Below are the steps one should take when in a pedestrian accident.
- Receive Medical Attention: pedestrians injured by a vehicle should not delay seeking medical treatment because their injuries may be severe or potentially fatal if untreated. Holding on to any medical reports, bills, and receipts is also important.
- Call The Police: speaking with the police is important because it is the first step in holding the negligent party accountable for their reckless and dangerous behavior. The police report will also prove useful when building a case with a Columbia pedestrian accidents lawyer.
- Speak With Witnesses: having witnesses’ accounts of what happened can benefit the injured pedestrian because this information can support what they said happened to them.
A Columbia pedestrian accidents attorney can help ensure all the appropriate steps are taken, so speaking with one as soon as possible is in the victim’s best interest. Our experience works in your favor. Expect us to pursue full compensation for you and maximize the compensation owed in every situation.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies may seek out support for you right away, often promising to help you get compensated for the losses you have. They are not being honest with you if they tell you to settle your claim quickly. Instead, let our Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers help you determine if their offer to settle is actually all you are owed.
Our attorneys review your case and explore all types of losses you may have now, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and any losses you may have in the future from this accident. We then obtain the necessary evidence to back up your claims. Our goal is to ensure you get the legal representation you deserve in this case.
When you reach out to us for a free consultation, there is no risk in working with us – we do not charge you anything for your consultation. Let us take a closer look at your claim before you sign away your ability to receive additional compensation later. You deserve to have a trusted, experienced, and aggressive attorney working on your side.
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm for a Columbia Pedestrian Accidents Attorney
Victims of a pedestrian accident in Columbia need to speak with a Columbia pedestrian accidents attorney at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm. For 15 years, our law firm has helped victims and their families move forward after an accident or injury as they may be trying to keep up with the bills and treatment associated with pedestrian accidents, but they do not have to go it alone. The smartest move a pedestrian accident victim in Columbia can make is to contact us.
