Were you recently struck by a car while walking? Are you having trouble dealing with the emotional trauma, devastating physical injuries, and financial distress that comes with a collision? If so, you are not alone.
With help from an experienced Moncks Corner personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, you can recover the compensation you are entitled to and make the at-fault party pay. Discuss your opportunities for financial relief further when you contact our Moncks Corner car accident team for a free consultation today.
What to Do After a You Are Hit By a Car While Walking
If you are hit by a car while walking you may be entitled to compensation for another party’s negligent actions. The initial steps you take immediately after the crash will help you build a compelling case against those responsible.
Even if you initially feel okay after the accident, it is crucial to take the following steps if you hope to protect yourself and reduce the liable party’s opportunities to deny you the compensation you might otherwise be entitled to. With that in mind, the steps you should take include:
- Moving out of the road if possible
- Contacting emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and law-enforcement officials
- Getting medical attention from emergency responders
- Collecting evidence that can be used to prove the defendant’s liability and negligence, such as witness statements, names and contact information, and video or photos of your injuries or the accident
- Hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer in Moncks Corner, SC to take over the legalities of your case and fight for justice
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Moncks Corner
Your Moncks Corner pedestrian accidents attorney will be responsible for figuring out what caused the accident. For instance, you might assume the driver who hit you is somehow responsible, but that may not always be true. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Moncks Corner include:
- Dangerous driving conditions
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Drunk driving
- Failure to stop
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Making illegal turns
- Driving distracted
- Malfunctioning or Defective auto parts
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Wildlife
Who to Sue for Damages After a Pedestrian Accident
Once your pedestrian accidents attorney in Moncks Corner, SC has figured out what caused the collision, we can better evaluate who could be held accountable for your damages. For example, if a drunk driver hit you, we would not only pursue a claim against the driver that hit you, but we may also have grounds for a claim against social hosts or dram shops, depending on the specific details of your case.
Other parties who may be held accountable for pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Auto parts designers
- Motor vehicle parts distributors
- Parts suppliers and retailers
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
- Dealerships and executives
- Safety inspectors
- Maintenance professionals
- Auto parts technicians
- The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
- The city of Moncks Corner
How the Moncks Corner Pedestrian Claims Process Works
The thought of pursuing a civil lawsuit and bringing your case to court can seem like a lot to take on during this difficult time in your life. Once you understand how pedestrian accident claims work, it may leave you feeling empowered and ready to take back control of your life.
Although every person’s case is different, here is a general idea of what you can expect when you move forward with a Moncks Corner pedestrian accident case:
- You hire a pedestrian accidents attorney to take on your case
- Your lawyer conducts a thorough investigation into how your injuries and identifies those responsible
- Throughout the course of the investigation, your attorney gathers compelling evidence used to prove negligence and fault
- Once we know who is responsible, we can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company if they are insured
- If the liable party is not insured or does not have enough insurance coverage to meet your needs, we can instead file a civil lawsuit against them
Your pedestrian accidents attorney will carefully review the details of your case every step of the way and ensure you are regularly updated when there are changes to your case. We will be available to answer your calls and questions so you can get the peace of mind you deserve.
What You Could Be Awarded for Your Pedestrian Accident Damages
You are entitled to total financial compensation when you file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. This does not mean you should only be repaid for monetary damages. You should also be compensated for non-economic losses, which may be more difficult to quantify.
Examples of potentially recoverable damages following a pedestrian accident include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of household services
- Embarrassment
- Reputational damage
- Mental anguish
- Shock and indignity
- Loss of consortium
- Lost wages
- Medical bills and future healthcare costs
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Important Pedestrian Accident Laws You Need to Know
There are multiple pedestrian accident laws you should be aware of before you navigate the claims process. Some of the most notable include:
- South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under South Carolina Code Section 15-3-555
- South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence code allows victims to recover compensation as long as their portion of shared Liability is not greater than 51%
- Pedestrians have the right of way when traveling in a crosswalk or adhering to traffic signals
- South Carolina operates under a fault-based system for insurance claims, so you file a claim with the liable party’s insurer as opposed to filing a claim with your own
Call a Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer in Moncks Corner, SC for Help Today
Your pedestrian accident injuries may have a substantial impact on your life for the foreseeable future. You should not be required to absorb the costs when someone else is at fault. Demand justice and total financial compensation.
Reach out to an experienced Moncks Corner pedestrian accidents lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to get the most out of your claim. You can reach us via our quick contact form or by phone to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
