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The causes of pedestrian accidents in South Carolina often involve preventable driver negligence, traffic law violations, and unsafe roadway conditions. At West Law Firm, we represent injured pedestrians throughout Summerville and the surrounding Lowcountry who are seeking accountability after serious pedestrian accidents. Understanding what the main causes of pedestrian accidents are can help determine liability and protect your legal rights.
Our Summerville pedestrian accident lawyers can evaluate whether a driver, property owner, or governmental entity failed to follow South Carolina law. Never wait to contact us today if you have been injured as a pedestrian by a negligent driver.
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is a driver’s failure to yield at a crosswalk. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is within the same half of the roadway or approaching closely from the opposite half. Drivers must also follow traffic signals giving pedestrians the right-of-way.
Many crosswalk collisions occur because drivers are focused on vehicle traffic rather than foot traffic. Rolling through right turns on red, attempting to accelerate through yellow lights, or failing to slow down at busy intersections frequently leads to severe injuries.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving continues to play a major role in pedestrian accidents. Texting, using navigation systems, adjusting in-car entertainment, or handling food diverts attention from the roadway.
South Carolina’s hands-free law prohibits drivers from holding a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Despite this statute, distracted driving remains a leading contributor to serious pedestrian injuries. When distraction is involved, liability may be established through cell phone records, witness statements, and crash investigation evidence.
Speeding in Pedestrian-Heavy Areas
Excessive speed significantly increases both the likelihood of impact and the severity of injuries. Drivers must operate their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions.
Even if a driver is traveling below the posted limit, they may still be negligent if speed is unsafe for areas with high pedestrian activity, such as school zones, downtown corridors, or shopping centers. Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase stopping distance, often turning avoidable incidents into catastrophic events.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs
Disregarding traffic control devices is another major factor in the causes of pedestrian accidents. Drivers must obey official traffic control signals and signs.
Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to comply with pedestrian walk signals frequently leads to intersection collisions. These accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and spinal injuries. Traffic camera footage and police reports often provide key evidence in determining fault.
Driving Under the Influence
Impaired driving remains a significant contributor to pedestrian accidents. South Carolina’s DUI statute, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930, prohibits operating a vehicle while materially and appreciably impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Impairment affects judgment, perception, and reaction time. Intoxicated drivers may fail to recognize pedestrians in crosswalks or may drift into sidewalks or shoulders. Civil claims for damages may proceed independently of any criminal prosecution.
Turning Collisions at Intersections
Left-turn and right-turn movements create frequent hazards. Drivers focused on oncoming vehicle traffic may overlook pedestrians crossing parallel to the direction of travel.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2120, drivers must yield appropriately when turning at intersections. Failure to check crosswalks before turning is a common scenario in pedestrian accidents. Right turns on red without a complete stop are particularly dangerous.
Parking Lot and Backing Accidents
Many pedestrian accidents occur in parking lots and residential driveways. Drivers reversing without checking blind spots or relying solely on backup cameras may not see pedestrians behind the vehicle.
Although these accidents occur at lower speeds, they can still result in serious injuries. Poor lighting, obstructed visibility, or unsafe property conditions may also contribute to liability in these cases.
Road Design and Government Liability
Unsafe roadway design can contribute to pedestrian accidents. Missing crosswalk markings, inadequate lighting, obstructed sightlines, and poorly timed traffic signals can increase risk.
Claims against public entities in South Carolina are governed by the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, found at S.C. Code Ann. § 15-78-10 et seq. This statute outlines procedural requirements and damage caps when pursuing claims against governmental bodies. Proper investigation is necessary to determine whether roadway defects contributed to the accident.
Comparative Negligence Considerations
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-38-15. An injured pedestrian may recover damages only if they are not more than 50 percent at fault.
Insurance carriers often argue that a pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk or was distracted. Determining what the main causes of pedestrian accidents in a specific case are requires careful review of evidence, including surveillance footage, traffic patterns, and witness statements.
Rights of Injured Pedestrians in South Carolina
Pedestrians who are injured through the negligence of a driver, property owner, or government entity have important legal rights under South Carolina law. An injured pedestrian has the right to bring a civil claim against any party whose negligence contributed to the accident. This includes not only the at-fault driver but potentially:
- An employer, if the driver was acting within the scope of employment
- A property owner whose unsafe conditions contributed to the collision
- A government entity responsible for dangerous roadway conditions
Compensation in a successful pedestrian accident claim may include medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
No injured pedestrian is required to negotiate directly with an insurance company or navigate the claims process alone. South Carolina law allows pedestrians to retain an attorney to handle all communications, negotiations, and litigation on their behalf. Legal representation is particularly important when injuries are severe, liability is disputed, or a government entity is involved.
Our attorneys can identify all potentially liable parties, calculate the full value of damages, and advocate for a recovery that reflects the true impact of the injuries.
How West Law Firm Evaluates Pedestrian Accident Claims
At West Law Firm, we conduct detailed investigations to identify the specific causes of pedestrian accidents in each case. Our team reviews police reports, traffic statutes, medical records, and available video evidence to determine liability. We assess whether drivers violated statutes and how those violations contributed to the collision.
Contact a Summerville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at West Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the causes of pedestrian accidents described above, a Summerville pedestrian accident lawyer at West Law Firm can evaluate your case and explain your legal options under South Carolina law.
We offer free consultations and are prepared to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term care needs. Contact us online today to schedule your consultation and discuss your pedestrian accident claim.