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Walking and biking are enjoyable hobbies for numerous South Carolina residents. However, recent news stories demonstrate how common pedestrian accidents are.
Pedestrian accidents in South Carolina
In one case, an 87-year old man was pinned underneath a pickup truck. According to the Herald Online, the man was walking with a relative outside a VA Medical Center when the pickup truck jumped a curb and struck the man. The man later died from his injuries.
The driver of the pickup truck was attempting to park at the hospital and suddenly accelerated. The truck eventually hit a brick wall.
Another accident involved a 15 year-old high school freshman. According to Myrtle Beach Online, the girl was walking along the shoulder of a road when a vehicle lost control and hit her. She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The girl is a student at St. James High School. Students and parents expressed sadness at the tragic event, and the school provided extra counselors and psychologists the next day.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
South Carolina highway fatalities are slightly lower in comparison to last year. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that 662 people died on South Carolina highways as of late October this year. During the same period last year SCDPS reported 702 deaths.
Pedestrians make up a significant number of these deaths. Of these numbers, 87 of the victims were pedestrians, 93 motorcyclists and 12 bicyclists.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reported that over 4000 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2008. Additionally, over 60,000 suffered injuries.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Inattentive drivers are one of the main causes of pedestrian accidents. Drivers often fail to yield at yellow lights or run red lights. This increases the risk of colliding with a pedestrian who is using a crosswalk.
Right of way violations are another common cause of pedestrian accidents. Drivers often do not realize that pedestrians have the right of way and make unauthorized turns into intersections. Drivers should yield to pedestrians and signal before turning. Pedestrians should stay attentive when using intersections.
Drunk driving also plays a serious role in pedestrian accidents. Drunk drivers risk the lives of not only themselves, but everyone on the road. Pedestrians should always remain alert for erratic drivers.
Finally, children are frequent victims of pedestrian accidents because it is common for them to suddenly rush into the streets. It is especially important to drive with extra caution in areas where children are present.
A pedestrian who is injured in an accident due to a driver’s negligence may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide knowledge and guidance as well as assist with obtaining full and fair compensation for the victim.