Heavy pedestrian traffic is a common sight in the Myrtle Beach area. This is particularly the case during the summer tourist season. An unfortunate side effect of this is the fact that there are many accidents that occur each year because of careless and reckless drivers who hit pedestrians with their vehicles. These drivers put lives at risk when they fail to follow traffic laws and look out for those who are traveling on foot. This results in injuries that can range from minor and severe to fatal.
If you were hurt in a crash due to the negligence of a driver, help is available when you contact our experienced Myrtle Beach pedestrian accident lawyer at Jebaily Law Firm. Our team of legal professionals will work hard to pursue the financial compensation that you deserve for the injuries that you have sustained at the hands of a negligent or reckless driver.
What Should I Do After a Suffering From a Pedestrian Accident?
There are several important steps that you should take after being hit by a driver while walking on foot. These steps will help to ensure that your legal rights and options are protected so you can pursue compensation for the injuries that you have sustained. They include:
- Immediately seek treatment for your injuries and diligently follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Failing to follow your health care provider’s treatment plan could be used by the defendant to raise doubts regarding the severity of your injuries.
- Retain copies of all documentation that pertains to your pedestrian accident. This includes medical bills and documents as well as pay stubs and anything else that is relevant to your case and demonstrates your losses.
- Document the way that your injuries/treatments have impacted your daily living experience and overall quality of life. This can include making notes of activities that you can no longer take part in and notes regarding the pain levels that you have reported to your doctor.
- Do not discuss your accident with family, friends, co-workers, or social media contacts. You also want to avoid posting any videos/photos of yourself on social media while you are undergoing treatment. The insurance company could try to use your posts on social media as a way to argue against your claim.
- Speak to a personal injury attorney in Myrtle Beach at Jebaily Law Firm to talk about the next steps to take in the pursuit of your injury claim.
The Common Causes of Myrtle Beach Pedestrian Accidents
The five most common causes of injury that can lead to you needing the assistance of our Myrtle Beach pedestrian accident lawyer include:
- Crossing the Street – The large number of Myrtle Beach pedestrians who walk to the beach and popular shopping outlets along with joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians pushing strollers means that area drivers must always be alert when going through the region. Each year, a number of major injuries occur when drivers fail to look out for pedestrians. State law in South Carolina compels drivers to yield when pedestrians are crossing intersections with a light. Pedestrians who are hit by drivers who fail to yield may hold them accountable for the injuries that they sustain.
- Walking From Between Parked Vehicles – Each year in the Myrtle Beach area, pedestrians who step out from between vehicles that are parallel parked end up getting hit by drivers who are not paying careful attention. Drivers often do not see crossing pedestrians in time to slow down in these situations. This can lead to collisions at higher speeds that often result in serious or fatal injuries.
- Sidewalks – Pedestrians are required by South Carolina law to walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. In cases where there is no sidewalk, they should instead walk along the road’s shoulder. Area beachgoers, tourists, and window shoppers routinely walk along the roads in Myrtle Beach in areas that do not have sidewalks.
- Injuries Related to Drivers Running Traffic Lights – It is common for drivers who speed up to make it through changing traffic lights at Myrtle Beach intersections to fail to notice pedestrians who are stepping off the curb upon the changing of the signal. These drivers often exceed the posted speed limit. This means that they have less time to react and avoid hitting people who are on foot.
- Accidents in School Zones – It is important for drivers in the Myrtle Beach area to pay close attention while going through school zones. These areas have lower speed limits that are in place to protect the students who arrive and depart daily. Unfortunately, many motorists fail to pay attention to these reduced speed limits. This can lead to them being unable to slow down quickly enough to avoid an accident.
Common Injuries Associated With Pedestrian Accidents
The most common injuries suffered by individuals who contact our pedestrian accident attorney in Myrtle Beach include:
- Spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Brain damage
These serious injuries can often cause permanent disability as well as issues with scarring/disfigurement.
South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Filing Time Limits
According to South Carolina law, victims of pedestrian accidents have three years from the date of their injury to file a claim. Once this time limit expires, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Notable exceptions include cases where the allegedly negligent driver cannot be located so they can be served with the claim. In these situations, the court may grant additional time for the individual to be located. Given the time constraints on filing an injury claim, it is important to quickly reach out to our fatal pedestrian accident attorney so we can evaluate your specific circumstances and determine the strength of your case.
Contact our Myrtle Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
If you were injured by a driver while on foot, our Myrtle Beach pedestrian accident lawyer at Jebaily Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free consultation with one of our legal experts. We are ready to assist you in getting the financial compensation that you are due.
