Charleston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
We don’t think you should have to settle for less
People are out walking every day in Charleston. Nobody expects to be hurt in an accident if they’re not even in a car. But people are injured in pedestrian accident every year. Sometimes those injuries are fatal. The Charleston pedestrian accident attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC fight for the rights of victims.
How do pedestrian accidents happen? Negligent drivers fail to notice pedestrians until it’s too late. They may have been speeding or recklessly passing another vehicle. Some drivers were texting behind the wheel or were engaged in another activity that took their eyes off of the road. Others were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Pedestrians hit by a car have no protection during a crash. Because of this, their injuries are often very serious. Common pedestrian accident injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries. They need extensive medical treatment and many are left with a permanent disability.
If you were hit by a negligent driver in Charleston, you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who will fight for you. Our lawyers understand the impact that injuries from a pedestrian accident can have on victims and their families. We fight to help you recover the compensation that you deserve for what happened.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
- Failure to yield: One of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents is when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks, intersections, or while making turns.
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are distracted by texting or talking on the phone are not driving safely and may not notice pedestrians in their path.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, making it difficult to prevent a collision with a pedestrian, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
- Impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment, coordination, and reaction times. Impaired drivers may hit pedestrians who are crossing the street or walking on the sidewalk.
- Running red lights and stop signs: Drivers who disregard traffic signals and signs can hit pedestrians, especially at intersections.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive or reckless driving behaviors, such as weaving in and out of traffic or tailgating, can lead to pedestrian accidents.
- Poor visibility: Low light conditions and bad weather can reduce a driver's visibility, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
We hold negligent drivers accountable
It should be simple. A driver was negligent and caused the crash that left you injured. Their insurance company should pay damages. But the reality is it’s usually much more complicated than that.
Negligent drivers typically deny doing anything wrong. They may even try to blame you for what happened. They may argue that you ran out into the road or did not cross the street responsibly.
Insurance companies would prefer to pay as little as possible. So they will try to find ways to justify paying you less. They may question the seriousness of your injuries. They may seek access to your medical records to try to argue that your injuries were pre-existing.
You may be contacted by an insurance adjuster soon after the crash with a settlement offer. They may say it’s the best that they can do, but will promise quick payment. It can seem tempting to accept their offer as medical bills start coming in. But their offer won’t come close to covering all of the damages you suffered. It’s just another way for them to save money.
We take your case seriously right from the start. We know how to investigate accidents to get the facts. Our legal team gathers evidence and carefully reviews accident reports and medical records. We interview witnesses and ask them about what they saw. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts.
Fighting for the injured in Charleston since 2007
In a car vs. pedestrian accident, recovering compensation can be difficult. it’s important to have experienced legal representation on your side.
Our attorneys build strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore. Then we negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. This includes compensation for all of the damages you have suffered – current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages such as pain and suffering. If the insurance company won’t settle, we will fight for you in court.
You may not be sure if you need a lawyer, or whether it is worth getting legal advice. But it’s important to know where you stand. We encourage you to get legal advice as soon as possible. Don’t wait too long, though. While state law allows two years from the date of your accident to take legal action, the fact is that time is not on your side. Valuable evidence gets lost. Witnesses forget important details. These are all important factors in building a strong case for your pedestrian accident lawsuit.
One of our Charleston pedestrian accident attorneys can meet with you to talk about what happened. We can review the details of your accident, then discuss your legal options for recovering financial compensation, such as negotiating with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit. We can also answer any questions you have. It costs nothing to talk to us. We just want you to have the information you need to decide what to do next.
Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC has been fighting for the injured in West Virginia for more than a decade. Our lawyers understand what you are going through and we want to help. We’re focused on helping you recover maximum compensation to get the help you need so you can move forward.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation in our Charleston office. Or, if you can’t come to us, we can come to you.
