Pedestrian accidents, understandably, tend to have severe — if not fatal — consequences for the victims. While the human body can withstand a lot if involved in a wreck, when struck by an automobile, the injuries can simply be too much for the body to handle. As the outcomes of pedestrian-involved car accidents are often tragic, it is clear why South Carolina law enforcement officials would like to do more to prevent these incidents from happening, especially since recently released statistics show an increase in pedestrian fatalities.
According to data released by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the number of pedestrians killed so far in 2014 is already greater than the number of pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2013. The most recent statistics provided show a total of 67 pedestrian deaths have already taken place this year, and this number is only expected to increase before year’s-end. As these accidents are believed to be highly preventable, and with the hope of avoiding future incidents, law enforcement officers are working to educate the public in pedestrian safety.
Some cities in the state are considered pedestrian friendly, and for many residents, walking or biking is simply their desired form of travel. Because of this, many pedestrian accidents occur on very busy streets. Regardless of how busy a road is, drivers and pedestrians alike need to be aware of their surroundings. Just like there are distracted drivers, there are also distracted pedestrians, and both can be cited for failing to exercise proper care.
Pedestrian-involved car accidents can have life-altering effects on their victims and the victim’s family members. If the driver involved is believed to have been negligent in causing the crash, legal claims may be filed in order to seek compensation for any damages sustained. Personal injury or — in the event of fatality — wrongful death claims may be filed in a South Carolina civil court by the victim or their surviving family members. If liability against the driver is properly established, a monetary judgment may be awarded in an amount deemed fair for the financial losses endured in the accident.
Source: wbtw.com, “Pedestrian fatalities on the rise in South Carolina”, Matt Alba, Oct. 5, 2014