How South Carolina Pedestrian Accidents are Caused
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities have become more common in South Carolina in recent years. According to a study performed by Car Insurance Comparison, South Carolina now ranks number four out of the top 10 states in the number of pedestrian fatality accidents. There are many ways our modern lives have increased pedestrian accidents causes.
Some of the most common causes of injuries and fatalities that are not the fault of the person on foot include:
- Distracted driving is the main cause of all types of accidents, including those with pedestrians. The driver who is talking on their cell phone, texting, looking at the GPS or other activities removes their focus and eyes from the road just long enough to cause an accident.
- Drunk driving continues to be a problem when motorists weave in their lane, speed and then slow down and other dangers. The drunk driver has poor judgment and reflexes, and vision can even be affected, which presents a danger to those on foot.
- Failure to yield can cause an accident. This commonly occurs when someone is crossing the street and the driver strikes them.
- Running a red light or stop sign is a common reason for a person on foot injury or fatality.
- Tailgating can lead to a pedestrian accident if one driver strikes another in front of them at an intersection. By striking the car in front, it can push it into the crosswalk, hitting someone on foot.
- Speeding can not only cause a walker accident but greatly increases the risk of fatalities. According to the National Safety Council, in 2019, speeding factored into 26 percent of the traffic fatalities reported.
- Road rage contributes to pedestrian accident injuries, and this condition is more common than many people think. Anger and stress can contribute to road rage as well as traffic congestion, sleep deprivation and drug or alcohol use.
- Government negligence in road maintenance can lead to an accident involving a walker. When trees or shrubs are overgrown on street corners, lighting is poor and signals don’t function properly, a walker can end up being hurt. In addition, potholes and other forms of poor road maintenance can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, which causes an injury.
Pedestrian Accidents Caused by a Motor Vehicle
Injuries to walkers are often severe because of their lack of protection against a motor vehicle. Common injuries include:
Pedestrians suffer serious injuries in collisions with motor vehicles because they are vulnerable. This can cause the following types of serious injuries:
- Broken bones: In a pedestrian accident caused by a motor vehicle, walkers often suffer broken upper legs such as the tibia or fibula because this is where an adult is struck. As a he/she falls or gets thrown into the air and attempts to brace themselves, upper extremity injuries to the arms, hands, and wrists can occur.
- When a person on foot is hit by an automobile and lands on its hood, they can suffer a traumatic brain injury. The effects of traumatic brain injuries include concussions, skull fractures and hemorrhaging. In some cases, surgery will be required to treat the damage.
- Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord can cause it to be paralyzed either permanently or temporarily. These injury types often require long-term care.
Pedestrian Accidents - Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers Is Here for You
Whenever another person or entity has been negligent, Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers has the experience and ability to successfully resolve injury cases involving pedestrian accidents. The role of our firm is to assist clients in recouping their damages caused by the negligent party, including all of their medical expenses, wages from being unable to work and for their pain and suffering. From the area around Myrtle Beach, you can reach us at (843) 232-0944, and we can set up a free case review to answer your questions and tell you about options to recover compensation. You can also reach us online.
