South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Attonreys

Pedestrian deaths have risen sharply in parts of the Midlands and South Carolina, including in Columbia where six pedestrian deaths have occurred this year. This time last year, there were no pedestrian deaths.

The most recent death happened just four days ago when a pedestrian, who was walking on the side of I-26, was hit by a car, and then run over three more times by other vehicles driving down the highway.

In all, pedestrian deaths across the state up are up 24 percent – to 101 so far this year from 81 at the same time last year. In 2009, a total of 87 pedestrians died.

A year ago, when police recognized the growing problem with pedestrian deaths, they implemented a program called SEE, “Stop, Educate, and Enforce.” The program allows officers to stop and talk to pedestrians who they think could be in potentially dangerous situations.

Even though 2,900 pedestrians have been reached this year under the program, police admit that more needs to be done.

Most pedestrian fatalities involve one or more of the following:

• An intoxicated pedestrian

• A pedestrian wearing dark clothes (most pedestrians are hit at night)

• A pedestrian walking with his or her back to traffic.

To reduce the likelihood of a pedestrian accident, you should walk toward traffic and wear light-colored clothing so that you increase your chance of being seen.

Troopers will be on the roads this holiday season and will have zero tolerance for any violations that could contribute to fatalities, including DUIs and seatbelt infractions.

However, police admit that even though it can sometimes be the fault of the driver, sometimes pedestrians ignore common safety precautions and traffic signal warnings.

The most dangerous place for pedestrian accidents is near USC’s campus on Assembly Street where students tend to run across the road to class or to the Sonic on the corner.

Read the article in The State here.

By:  Pete Strom, South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney