Greenville Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Key pedestrian laws in South Carolina include:

• Right-of-way in crosswalks: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks when traffic signals permit crossing.
• Pedestrian responsibilities: Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and use crosswalks when available.
• Sidewalk usage: When sidewalks are present, pedestrians should use them instead of walking in the roadway.
• Walking along roads: If no sidewalk exists, pedestrians should walk facing oncoming traffic.

South Carolina also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means a pedestrian can still recover compensation as long as they are less than 51% at fault for the accident. However, the total compensation may be reduced based on their share of fault.

Our Greenville pedestrian accident attorney can analyze the circumstances and determine how these laws apply to your case.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are often preventable and typically occur due to driver negligence or unsafe road conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, phone use, and in-car distractions prevent drivers from noticing pedestrians.
• Speeding: Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase the severity of injuries.
• Failure to yield: Drivers ignoring crosswalks or turning without checking for pedestrians.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction time.
• Poor visibility: Nighttime driving, bad weather, or inadequate street lighting.
• Reckless driving: Aggressive behavior, running red lights, or ignoring traffic laws.

Identifying the cause of the accident is a crucial step in proving negligence and building a strong injury claim.

Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?

Liability in a pedestrian accident depends on the facts of the case. While drivers are often responsible, other parties may also share liability.

Potentially liable parties include:

• Negligent drivers who fail to yield, speed, or drive distracted
• Employers if the driver was working at the time of the accident
• Vehicle manufacturers if defective brakes, tires, or other components contributed
• Government entities responsible for unsafe roads, poor signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals
• Property owners if hazards in parking lots or private areas caused the incident

Your attorney will investigate police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction evidence to determine who should be held accountable.

Compensation Available for Injured Pedestrians

A pedestrian accident can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects. Filing a personal injury claim can help you recover damages for both immediate and long-term losses.

Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Disability or disfigurement
• Property damage
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame onto the pedestrian. Having a Greenville pedestrian accident attorney on your side can help ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your losses.

How We Investigate a Greenville Pedestrian Accident Claim

Proving fault in a pedestrian accident often comes down to evidence that can disappear quickly — skid marks fade, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses move on. Our approach is built to move fast and build a complete picture of what happened:

• Securing the official crash report from the Greenville Police Department or South Carolina Highway Patrol, along with any citations issued at the scene.
• Canvassing for surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or doorbell cameras before it's deleted or overwritten.
• Documenting the scene — crosswalk markings, signal timing, lighting conditions, and any road design issues that may have contributed to the crash.
• Identifying and interviewing witnesses while their memory of the event is still fresh.
• Reviewing the driver's history and circumstances — cell phone records, employment status at the time of the crash, and any signs of impairment.
• Connecting your injuries to the crash through complete medical documentation, which insurance companies routinely try to dispute or minimize.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

What should I do after a pedestrian accident in Greenville?

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Call law enforcement, document the scene if possible, collect witness information, and contact an attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in South Carolina?

In most cases, South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Under South Carolina’s comparative negligence law, you can recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?

You may still have options, including filing a claim through uninsured motorist coverage or pursuing other liable parties. An attorney can help you explore available legal avenues.

Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?

While it is not required, having legal representation can significantly improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation. Attorneys understand how to prove negligence, calculate damages, and negotiate with insurers.

Why Injured Pedestrians Choose Our Firm

• A track record that gets insurance companies' attention. Recoveries, including a $4,000,000 wrongful death settlement and a $2,550,000 premises liability verdict, show we prepare every case as if it may go to trial.
• A firm focused entirely on injury law. Personal injury and workers' compensation aren't side practices for us — they're what we do every day, for clients across South Carolina.
• No cost unless we win. Every pedestrian accident case is handled on contingency, so there's no financial risk in learning what your claim may be worth.
• Roots in the community we serve. From our scholarship program to volunteering with Harvest Hope Food Bank and supply drives for St. Francis NICU families, our commitment to South Carolina communities extends well beyond the courtroom.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Greenville, our team is ready to put that experience and those resources to work for you.

Call to talk with our team about your pedestrian accident case.