One study has ranked Charleston as the fifth most dangerous metropolitan area in the country for pedestrian accidents.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a serious pedestrian accident, The Hartman Law Firm, LLC can and will fight for your legal rights once you hire us to represent you. Call Frank Hartman today and let our Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer show you how he will stand up for your legal right to full compensation.
What Does a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Do?
In the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, a victim has little capacity to become involved in the legal process of seeking financial compensation. An injured individual can entrust all aspects of their case to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
When you hire Frank to handle your case, he will do the following:
- Speak to you in-depth, counseling you on your legal options and answering any questions that you may have in a patient and detailed manner
- Investigate the cause of your pedestrian accident and gather evidence that could show a negligent driver was responsible
- Defend you from any allegations in which the insurance company tries to blame you for the accident to reduce or eliminate their bill
- Estimate the value of your damages with precision so you know how much money to seek from the insurance company
- Negotiate a fair settlement that pays for all of your injuries and damages
- Litigate your case in court if it is necessary to get you what you deserve
Frank believes in what he does because he is a fellow Charlestonian who cares about the city’s residents. The last thing he ever wants to see is someone get shortchanged by an insurance company that is penny-pinching in the name of profits.
Charleston Pedestrian Accidents Statistics Paint an Alarming Picture
Given the urban nature of the Charleston area and the wide arterial roads, the area is exceptionally dangerous for pedestrians. Beyond the city’s distinction as the fifth most dangerous metro area for pedestrians, South Carolina ranks in the top ten in the United States in terms of rate of pedestrian fatalities.
In 2021, there were 189 total pedestrian accident victims in Charleston County. In state reporting, it was practically unheard of for a pedestrian accident victim to walk away with no injuries whatsoever. Of these victims, 18 lost their lives and 29 sustained serious suspected injuries. Each of these car vs. pedestrian collisions is too many.
Dangerous Areas of Charleston for Pedestrians
The Charleston area is expanding by leaps and bounds, as it is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the entire country. All the additional people means that there are both more pedestrians and drivers.
Unfortunately, efforts at ensuring pedestrian safety have not kept up with the rapid growth in the area. Authorities are behind the curve in making the necessary safety improvements to protect you from dangerous drivers.
The most dangerous parts of Charleston for pedestrians include:
- Moultrie Street and Rutledge Avenue
- Calhoun Street from Courtenay Drive to Meeting Street
- King Street from Carolina Street to George Street
- Meeting Street from Line Street to Society Street
- Rivers Avenue from Verde Avenue to Reynolds Avenue
- Ashley Phosphate Road from Rivers Avenue to Rock Street
There are often pedestrian-involved crashes in areas where local authorities already know that there is a serious problem, yet they have done nothing to enhance your safety. Depending on the circumstances, we may even recommend that you sue the City of Charleston for their role in not preventing your injuries.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Charleston
Drivers have picked up numerous bad habits over the last decade, and pedestrians are the ones paying the price.
Not only are there more pedestrian accidents, but the ones that occur are far worse on average.
These accidents are occurring at higher speeds because reckless or distracted drivers are not making an effort to stop. In addition, passenger cars weigh more now than they did two decades ago, meaning that there is more force involved in each accident.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents in our region include:
- Distracted drivers looking at their phones
- Reckless drivers unable to avoid hitting a pedestrian
- Speeding, causing a driver to miss a stop sign or crosswalk
- Drunk driving
- Poorly designed intersections without signage or crosswalks
Frank’s commitment as your pedestrian accident attorney is to pursue all leads and gather all available evidence that could prove liability for your injuries. He’s an aggressive litigator who won’t settle out of court until he knows that we are recovering every dollar from the responsible parties.
Contact Our Charleston Pedestrian Lawyer Today
Do not let an insurance company get away with anything in your pedestrian accident case. If you do not have a lawyer, you are risking money that should support your recovery.
Call The Hartman Law Firm, LLC today to get a tough and dedicated pedestrian accident lawyer working for you. Frank can help you overcome the barriers that the insurance company places in your way. You can schedule a review by sending us a message online or by calling us today at 843.300.7600.
Pedestrian Accident Case FAQs
What compensation is available in a pedestrian accident claim?
Compensation for pedestrian accidents is tied to the severity of your injuries. An injury can put you out of work for several weeks or even affect the trajectory of your entire career.
We try to never pay attention to what someone purports to be an average verdict or settlement in a pedestrian accident case. As your lawyer, Frank will work to maximize your damages by knowing the details of your situation and leveraging his ability to put pressure on the insurance company.
Whose insurance pays for a pedestrian accident?
If you can prove that the driver was to blame for the pedestrian accident, their insurance would have a legal obligation to pay you up to the amount of the policy limit. If the driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your damages, you may file a claim against your underinsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy. The driver may be personally liable for uncovered damages if you file and win a lawsuit.