Pedestrians are South Carolina roadways’ most vulnerable travelers, leaving them to rely on drivers to be aware of their surroundings and remain undistracted. The injuries sustained in these accidents can be life-altering, leaving St. Andrews victims feeling alone in their physical and financial recovery.
St. Andrews residents have a formidable advocate should a pedestrian accident upend their world. Shelly Leeke Law Firm understands the uphill battle ahead and will fight for your compensation when you need a St. Andrews personal injury lawyer to recover fair compensation in a pedestrian accident claim. Our team led by a St. Andrews pedestrian accident lawyer will successfully navigate the legal system for you while you focus on recovery.
Why Choose Us
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm team never views clients as just a case number. Our team sees individuals who are overwhelmed by the legal system, unsure of where to turn for help, and often feeling the impact that medical debt can bring after a St. Andrews pedestrian accident. We are champions of victims’ rights and believe in our ability to compassionately support you while aggressively seeking compensation for your injuries.
- We offer a free case evaluation to understand your needs better
- Clients pay no fees unless we secure compensation
- Our proven results help clients find their way back to a stable life after a pedestrian accident
- We have a diverse staff with varying backgrounds and specialties that allow us to meet your individual needs
- We believe in supporting our community by giving back to those we serve
Our mission is to offer vital legal support to SC accident victims from the beginning of their journey until the end, helping individuals avoid costly errors with insurance companies and ensuring the compensation they receive is truly reflective of the damages experienced. Shelly M. Leeke, founder of Shelly Leeke Law Firm, has published The South Carolina Accident Book as a navigational tool to help you successfully navigate the legal process.
Why Representation Is Vital in Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian is no match for the weight and speed of a moving vehicle, often leaving them unable to give their account of what happened at the scene of an accident, leaving pedestrian injury victims vulnerable to the driver’s statement about the incident when interviewed by law enforcement. South Carolina is based on modified comparative negligence fault (§15-1-300), meaning an individual can only recover damages if they hold 50% or less responsibility for an accident. Additionally, an individual’s percentage of fault is deducted from the compensation for their injuries.
Without a pedestrian’s account of the accident, it becomes easier to place more blame on a pedestrian for fault. A knowledgeable St. Andrews pedestrian accident attorney will seek out the evidence available to help prove who the responsible party is in an accident. Evidence such as security camera recordings, traffic videos, cell phone records, or any information subject to erasure is collected promptly to protect you and establish a claim.
The more blame assigned to a pedestrian in an accident, the less compensation the driver’s insurance company will owe. There are pedestrian laws in South Carolina, and while it is vital to follow them for safety, you may still be able to file a personal injury claim even if you were hit while crossing outside a crosswalk. The ability to successfully recover often correlates directly with an individual’s ability to seek medical care, and when compensation is unavailable, then an optimal recovery may not be achievable.
Damages in a St. Andrews Pedestrian Accident
The damages, or compensation, available to pedestrian accident victims is to help restore them to where they were before the accident occurred. It only takes a short time to understand that this restoration is costly. When a pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Andrews considers a claim, they will account for all of your injuries, with the knowledge that some of the costs are financial while other costs can bring emotional, psychological, and physical pain that must be accurately accounted for, including:
- All medical expenses related to the incident, including the need for future care and medications
- Rehabilitative costs
- Lost wages and lost potential earnings
- Costs for accommodating services, such as a home ramp or other accessibilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These are not haphazard dollar amounts but calculations based on formulas to help you get back to a healthy life. Insurance adjusters may seem sympathetic and eager to settle a claim, but they understand that a quicker settlement can often prevent a full assessment of the total damages an individual should be compensated for. The team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm will thoroughly evaluate your injuries so that the resources for a full recovery are available and explain how a personal injury settlement is determined.
What a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in St. Andrews Can Do for You
In addition to negotiating fair compensation, Shelly Leeke Law Firm will ensure vital documentation is collected and presented to prove your claim. We will serve as a critical contact source between you and the insurance company so your statements about the accident can never be misconstrued and used to lessen your claim outcome. We will meet the imperative deadlines that apply to your claim and strive to reach a fair settlement for your injuries with the insurance company.
When a settlement does not meet a client’s needs, we never back down from representing a client in court. We will present all available options, allowing our clients to make the best personal decision. We believe in the negotiation process but remain prepared to move forward, offering unwavering support until the end. Understanding South Carolina pedestrian laws can be challenging, and we can ensure that you navigate them effectively.
Advocates for St. Andrews Pedestrian Accident Victims
Shelly Leeke Law Firm has witnessed the devastation pedestrian accident victims suffer and wants to be a formidable force in recovery. A free consultation commits you to nothing but a better understanding of how we can assist you. Let our knowledgeable team of St. Andrews pedestrian accident lawyers start working for you today so you can return to what matters most.
