A high school student in Mount Pleasant ended his Friday evening with pitching practice, a few home runs, and an unexpected fractured femur after being struck by a vehicle.
A Lucy Beckham High School baseball player was leaving practice on March 1 when he was hit by a vehicle while in the Whipple Road crosswalk, Live 5 WCSC News reports.
Incident reports state that investigators reviewed the collision footage and found that the driver had more than enough time to stop once the crosswalk lights were activated.
Despite the crosswalk having buttons for pedestrians to press when they want to cross, the flashing lights don’t seem to be enough to deter drivers.
Live 5 News spoke with Mount Pleasant mother and teacher, Debbie Doyle, on the concerns of drivers and pedestrians on the crosswalk.
“If you’re going 40 miles an hour you should be able to have enough time to stop when you see the lights, but people get confused, kind of like they see you but don’t know what they are supposed to be doing,” she said.
The accident has now put safety at the top of the list for the crosswalk and surrounding area, with a few ideas circulating on how to prevent something like this from happening again.
“There could be strips on the road that could be added, there could be a raised crosswalk,” Doyle said, as reported by Live 5 News. “The lights that flash yellow and those could be turned to red. There’s a lot of things they can do that are minimal and may just bring some awareness to this area.”
According to Live 5 News, the town of Mount Pleasant released a statement addressing current and future safety measures:
“The Town’s Engineering and Development Services office confirmed that the rapid flashing Beacon crosswalk installed on Whipple Road across from Lucy Beckham High School is operating properly. The Town is working with Charleston County School District staff to investigate additional safety improvements.”
Who is At Fault in a Pedestrian-Involved Car Accident?
In a pedestrian-involved car accident, the phrase “pedestrians always have the right of way” does not offer the full picture of fault – especially not in South Carolina. Those who walk, jog, or even lie down on roadways must follow certain laws and are held accountable for their actions, just as drivers experience when they get behind the wheel.
The person with the right of way, as defined by South Carolina law, dictates the right of way as “the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.”
In laymen’s terms, the person with the right of way has the legal right to continue along their path, taking precedence over other vehicles and pedestrians alike that may not have the legal right in that given moment.
Each situation is different and there are many factors to consider if you were a pedestrian hit by a car. When it comes to pursuing a case, contact one of our local Hoffman Law Firm personal injury attorneys near you to navigate the laws regarding pedestrian and auto collisions.
How is a Pedestrian Compensated for Their Injuries?
Pedestrian accident cases and subsequent compensation are determined on a case-by-case basis. Typically, pedestrians involved in car accidents where the driver is at fault can receive compensation for the following:
- Current and ongoing medical bills
- Lost income if the accident forces you away from work for an extended time
- Pain and suffering, both mental and physical
In a worst-case scenario, a pedestrian could lose their life as a result of an auto accident. Surviving family members can file a wrongful death (link to wrongful death attorney blog) lawsuit with help from our team at Hoffman Law Firm. While we can’t reverse the outcome, we can help you through the loss by getting you the compensation your family deserves.
Get the Help You Need, and the Compensation You Deserve – Contact A Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve found yourself facing the aftermath of being hit by a car, our team can help. With extensive knowledge of South Carolina pedestrian laws, we have a proven track record of advocating for our victims and fighting for your right to compensation every step of the way.
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, we proudly advocate for accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the locals’ trusted personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience handling a wide variety of cases. We have established a reputation for success, securing much-needed compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain, and suffering, and more.
To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help!
Sources: Live5News & Post and Courier.
Other Helpful Car Accident Blogs:
Maserati Crashes into Deli in Downtown Charleston Early Tuesday Morning
3 Dead Following Two Single-Vehicle Crashes in the North Charleston Area
Reviewed by Board-Certified Personal Injury Attorney
With a combined legal expertise of over 75 years, Hoffman Law Firm has been serving the locals of Charleston with trusted legal advice and representation in the field of personal injury law. Winning cases ranging from thousands to multimillion-dollar settlements, we have earned a reputable reputation for handling auto accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and fall, and other personal injury cases throughout the Lowcountry for over 15 years and counting.