Rock Hill SC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

It has become common knowledge in recent years that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident. Less is known, however, about the dangers of texting while walking. A recent study of busy South and North Carolina intersections showed that a mobile device distracted one in three pedestrians. Pedestrians who were distracted by their phone were four times less likely to pay attention to traffic lights, stay within the crosswalk, or even look up before crossing.

Nationwide, the number of traffic-related fatalities is at historic lows, except in circumstances involving pedestrians. Many believe that the rising number of pedestrian fatalities is related to the increasing number of people using their phone to send texts, check email, browse the Internet, and listen to music. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 1,100 people were hospitalized after using a mobile device while walking in the year 2011.

It is important for all Carolina drivers and pedestrians to pay attention to the road. If a distracted driver injures you, however, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your losses.

Charlotte NC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

A pedestrian was taken to the hospital Tuesday after being struck by a car while trying to cross the street.

The driver of the vehicle had a green light, but it is the drivers duty to yield the right-of-way when making a left turn.

The pedestrian was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

In South Carolina, code 56-5-3130 discusses the Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks, stating:

• (a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
• (b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
• (c) Subsection (a) shall not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of Section 56-5-3150.
• (d) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

Charlotte NC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

North Carolina law enforcement is making strides to enforce pedestrian safety laws as part of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Watch for Me NC campaign.

In August 2012 the state began advertising and promoting safer pedestrian and driver behaviors. October was the beginning of phase two, showing strategic enforcement of pedestrian laws, such as assuring that drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

This is funded in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with the intention to decrease motor vehicle-pedestrian crashes in the area through greater awareness and enforcement of pedestrian safety laws. Each year in North Carolina, more than 400 people are hit while walking and of those, approximately 350 people are injured or killed.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.watchformenc.org.

Contact the Pedestrian Accident Law Firm of Bice Law

The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability.  We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North Carolina and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly.  Call (855) 5-BICE-LAW today or submit an online request  to get a free consultation with a  pedestrian accident lawyer. We serve families across both North and South Carolina.  Results are how we measure success – we’ve built a strong reputation both in and out of the courtroom, and we’ll put our experience and expertise to work on your behalf.

Charlotte NC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

An SUV fatally struck an elderly man as he was walking home from a visit with his friends. Due to blunt force trauma the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man was wearing dark clothing and was probably crossing the street. He believes the driver didn’t see him until she hit him.

Troopers say no charges have been filed, and the accident remains under investigation.

Contact the Pedestrian Accident Law Firm of Bice Law

The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability.  We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North Carolina and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly.  Call (855) 5-BICE-LAW today or submit an online request  to get a free consultation with a  pedestrian accident lawyer. We serve families across both North and South Carolina.  Results are how we measure success – we’ve built a strong reputation both in and out of the courtroom, and we’ll put our experience and expertise to work on your behalf.

Charlotte NC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

In 2010, there was a record decrease in fatal vehicle accidents from the year prior. Unfortunately, the amount of fatal pedestrian accidents has increased.

Across the United States in 2010 32,885 people died in auto accidents, this is the lowest traffic accident death numbers on record since 1949. Accident fatality numbers have decreased although the number of miles being driven by American motorists increased. In fact, there was a drop in almost all categories of car accident deaths in 2010, including drunk driving accidents.

Pedestrian accident deaths actually increased 2010 by about 4.2% from the prior year. In total there were more than 70,000 people who suffered a personal injury across the United States in 2010, which is an increase of 19%. That increase is puzzling considering that it comes after 4 year decline in pedestrian accident death numbers in the US.

Federal transportation officials do not have any explanation for this increase in pedestrian accident fatality numbers. However, the data is still new, and we may have more answers in the months ahead. There are some theories about the reasons for this increase. According to Transportation for America, a pedestrian advocacy organization, there has been an increase in the number of people walking and biking to work in recent months. However, even though there has been an increase in the number of pedestrians, safety conditions have not really improved.

Most pedestrian safety concerns can be linked to poor road design that does not factor in the safety concerns of pedestrians. Many regions in the country have also experienced a movement of low-income groups and immigrants into suburban areas. This has meant an increase in the pedestrian population in suburban areas that have been primarily designed for automobiles.

There’s also some speculation that an increase in pedestrian distractions is also contributing to increasing accident numbers. However, Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers find that hard to believe. There seems to be little evidence to indicate that there has been any increase in pedestrian distractions, like cell phone use while walking.

Unfortunately, this particular area of traffic safety seems to suffer from a lack of research. There is very little solid data available about pedestrian and motorist behaviors as far as pedestrian safety is concerned. However, there are some details that are accepted as fact. For instance, drunk driving seems to be a major factor in pedestrian accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, approximately 40% of all pedestrian accident deaths in the country were caused by drunk drivers

Contact the Pedestrian Accident Law Firm of Bice Law

The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability.  We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North Carolina and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly.  Call (855) 5-BICE-LAW today or submit an online request  to get a free consultation with a  pedestrian accident lawyer. We serve families across both North and South Carolina.  Results are how we measure success – we’ve built a strong reputation both in and out of the courtroom, and we’ll put our experience and expertise to work on your behalf.