Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Charleston, SC
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are not uncommon in Charleston, South Carolina. If you or a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident, our experienced lawyers can help you increase your chances of recovering the full amount you’re owed under South Carolina law for the damages caused by the accident.
With over 60 years of combined experience, the Charleston pedestrian accident attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens fights to help injured people and their loved ones recover as best as possible physically, financially, and emotionally following serious injuries. To schedule a free consultation, please call our office at (843) 888-9000, email info@ctlawsc.com, or fill out our online consultation request form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.
How Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC Can Help You After a Pedestrian Accident in Charleston
You should not be left alone to juggle the aftermath of an accident on your own. Your top priority should be getting the medical treatment needed to recover. Let us take on the burden of fighting large insurance companies and navigating the complex legal system, it’s what we’re trained to do. At Cavanaugh & Thickens, we help clients through this process every single day. When you hire our team, you can expect us to:
- Fight relentlessly to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Manage important communication with the parties involved to protect your rights.
- Regularly update you on the status of your case and what to expect next.
- Collect critical evidence including photos, videos, security footage, and more.
- Secure expert testimony.
- Find and speak with witnesses.
- Organize your medical records and documents.
- Provide guidance on important decisions.
- Prove liability and negligence.
- Prove and value all of your past, current, and future damages, expenses, and losses to give you a fair understanding of how much your case is worth.
- Fight for you in court if the insurance company won’t offer you a fair settlement.
Damages Available To You After a Pedestrian Accident
Each South Carolina pedestrian accident case is unique, so it’s in your best interest to speak with one of our attorneys to learn more about what you may be entitled to specifically. However, generally, there are a few different forms of damages you may be entitled to: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages May Include:
- Medical Expenses – This includes past, current, and future medical costs resulting from the accident such as emergency visits, follow up appointments, scans/screenings, surgeries, rehabilitation costs, and more.
- Lost Wages – If the accident forced you to miss time from work, you can receive compensation for those missed days/hours. In addition, if the accident prevents you from returning to your job in the same capacity, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your reduced earning capacity.
- Property Damage – This includes any damage to you or your loved one’s personal property.
- Wrongful Death – If the accident resulted in the tragic loss of life, you may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial costs and more.
Non-Economic Damages May Include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- And more.
Non-economic damages are a form of compensation that accounts for any pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the accident. It can be nearly impossible to place a hard value on these damages without the knowledge of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.
Punitive Damages:
- Punitive damages are awarded in court to punish the defendant for malicious conduct and to deter others from acting the same way in the future.
To learn more about what you may be entitled to, simply give our team a call today at (843) 888-9000. For your convenience, we are available via phone 24/7.
Have You Suffered One of These Injuries?
Since pedestrians have little to no protection against vehicles, pedestrian accidents can cause very serious injuries, such as:
Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash, internal injuries, torn muscles and other soft tissue injuries are common after a pedestrian accident.
Nerve Damage
It is not uncommon for pedestrian accident victims to experience long-lasting and even permanent nerve damage following the accident.
Broken Bones
Pedestrian accidents can frequently lead to broken bones. These commonly include fractures to the tibial and femur; however many people also suffer injuries to the shoulders, neck, face, and head.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can result from the pedestrian being struck in the head or by hitting their head during a fall. Brain injuries can have severe consequences. Symptoms may include worsening headaches, slurred speech, and more.
Back Injuries
Pedestrian accident victims may suffer from pinched nerves, muscle strains, or severe spinal cord injuries.
Neck Injuries
From broken collarbones to paralysis and even loss of life, neck injuries can cause significant damage.
Paralysis or Loss of Function
Paralysis can result from serious spinal cord injuries and prevents people from making voluntary movements. Two degrees of paralysis include partial and complete paralysis.
Amputation
Another very serious injury these accidents can cause is the loss of one or more limbs. These are lifelong injuries that can be extremely traumatic and result in continuing and phantom pain.
No matter the specific type of injury you or a loved one has suffered, pedestrian accidents can be very traumatic. We understand that this can be a long and painful recovery for you and your family, and we are here to help ease the burden. Allow us to take on the legal battle for you and fight to get you the entirety of what you’re owed so you and your loved ones can focus on what matters most: recovering.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Charleston, SC
Leading causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted drivers
- Impaired drivers
- Impatient drivers
- Recklessness
- Bad weather
- Poor visibility
- Wearing dark clothes at night
- Road construction
- And more.
Unfortunately, even when the accident was clearly not your fault, the person who hit you and their insurance company may try to blame you for the accident. When this happens, it’s critical that you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to help you with your case.
Get a Free Consultation With a Respected Charleston Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
To schedule your free consultation with one of our award-winning personal injury lawyers, call our team today at (843) 888-9000. We understand that accidents are unpredictable and can happen at any time, so our legal team is available via phone 24/7. For your convenience, we offer phone and in-person consultations. Get what you’re owed. Call our team today.
Additional Information:
Who Pays for My Damages?
Typically, we will seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for your damages. In Charleston, and throughout the state, South Carolina drivers are required to carry at least $25,000 in liability coverage. If the at-fault party only has minimum coverage and your damages equate to more than $25,000, then we will explore other avenues of coverage such as your own insurance policies. Our Charleston pedestrian accident lawyers will leave no stone unturned to make sure we get you the compensation you deserve. We won’t settle for less.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Cavanaugh & Thickens, we believe that every injured person deserves justice and an equipped lawyer on their side. That’s why we offer completely free consultations and our Charleston pedestrian accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing upfront or out of pocket. Instead, at the end of your case, your lawyer receives a small percentage of the total compensation earned on your behalf. If for some reason you do not recover any compensation, then you owe us nothing.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
There is a statute of limitations, a maximum amount of time that you have to initiate legal proceedings, for filing a personal injury or civil claim. In Charleston and throughout the state of South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If the accident involved a government entity, that time frame is greatly reduced.
While three years from the date of the accident may seem far away, and you may feel as though you have plenty of time, there are many benefits to consulting with a Charleston pedestrian accident lawyer and filing a claim sooner than later. Acting quickly helps preserve important evidence for your claim: including witness statements, important evidence that can be forgotten, and much more.