Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries. Unfortunately, South Carolina has one of the worst pedestrian safety records in the entire country. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), South Carolina has the fifth-worst fatality rate in the country in 2022. Only New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, and Florida had a higher rate of serious crashes.
Why do pedestrian accidents happen? There are many different reasons. With that being said, the vast majority of pedestrian collisions are avoidable. Driver negligence is the primary cause of pedestrian collisions in South Carolina. Within this article, our Charleston pedestrian accident attorney discusses the main causes of these crashes.
Driver Error is the Main Cause of Pedestrian Accidents
While pedestrian crashes can happen for many different reasons, they tend to share a common cause: Someone made a serious error. Driver mistakes—driver negligence—is the leading cause of serious pedestrian accidents in South Carolina. Motorists must do better to take care when around pedestrians. These accidents can cause serious, even life-threatening harm.
Common Examples of Driver Negligence that Can Cause Pedestrian Crashes
Driver negligence can take a wide range of different forms. Some of the leading examples of driver error that contributes to pedestrian collisions in South Carolina include:
- Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit reduce their ability to react in time to avoid pedestrians crossing the road. The higher the speed, the greater the severity of injuries in a pedestrian crash. Drivers should always obey the speed limit.
- Running Red Lights: A significant number of serious pedestrian crashes happen at busy intersections where there are red lights. Disregarding traffic signals often places pedestrians in crosswalks at a serious safety risk.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way at crosswalks or intersections endanger pedestrians. Failure to yield is a form of negligence that is especially hazardous in areas with heavy foot traffic.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. It is one of the leading causes of serious pedestrian accidents in South Carolina. Notably, cell phone use—especially texting and driving—is an especially hazardous form of distracted driving.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs judgment and reaction time. Impaired drivers pose a particularly high risk to pedestrians—especially at night.
Of course, a driver is not automatically liable for a pedestrian crash. Pedestrians sometimes make errors as well. A serious pedestrian accident should always be thoroughly investigated by an experienced Charleston, SC, personal injury lawyer.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Top Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
At Query Sauter & Associates, LLC, our Charleston pedestrian accident attorney is a skilled, aggressive advocate for victims and families. If you were hurt in a pedestrian crash, we are here to help. Contact us today for your free, no-strings-attached case review. From our office in Charleston, we fight for the rights of injured victims throughout the wider region of South Carolina.