Pedestrian Accident Attorney South Carolina

Distracted driving is a major cause of pedestrian accidents, and without a doubt, technology creates even more distractions for those behind the wheel. From checking social media to answering calls, today’s drivers are more distracted than ever. Research suggests that sending just a basic text message takes on average five seconds, and when traveling at 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels approximately 100 yards in that time. That’s 100 yards of your eyes being off the road.

Our busy lifestyles also contribute to distracted driving, with many drivers exceeding the speed limit to get to their destination quicker.

Distracted driving also happens when truck drivers are impaired, for example when they have been driving for too long and as a result, become tired. This is known as driver fatigue.

There are then drivers who put both other drivers on the road and pedestrians at great risk by driving under the influence of alcohol. Despite the fact that the at-fault party will face criminal charges for drunk driving, as a victim, you may face a painful recovery, medical bills, and even post-traumatic stress, all at the expense of someone else’s negligence.

If you are thinking of filing a pedestrian accident claim in South Carolina, like many personal injury cases, the statute of limitation (the time frame you have to file a claim) may vary depending on a number of factors, including in which state the incident occurred.

If you are eligible to file a claim, once you file your case, you will become a plaintiff and the wrongful driver becomes a defendant. At this point, we start the “discovery phase.” The discovery phase includes gathering facts through exchange of documents, written questions and depositions:

• Medical examinations: This will likely be undertaken by your chosen doctor but sometimes, the defendant or insurance company can request a second opinion.
• Gathering documentation: We will gather all the relevant documents surrounding your case, including insurance documents, medical records, and police reports. The correct documentation helps demonstrate to the court and/or insurance company that you have the right to file a claim.
• Depositions: This is a witness testimony given outside of court yet still under oath and can be highly valuable to your case.
• Interrogatories: These are a set of questions that we issue in writing. These questions are to be answered under oath by the defendant party.
• Expert witnesses: An expert witness may be needed in some more complex cases. An expert witness is a highly trained, trustworthy professional who can provide a testimony based on their expertise related to the case.