
When you are hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced, aggressive pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbia ready to go to bat for you. Pedestrian accidents are often devastating, causing significant injuries and financial losses.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Columbia personal injury lawyers take your case seriously, bringing more than a decade of experience to your case. We provide you with honest, exceptional legal representation and work hard to protect your right to compensation.
Why Put Your Trust in Shelly Leeke Law Firm?
The Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm have experience, compassion, and a strong reputation for getting results. When you have serious injuries and losses as a result of the actions of others, you absolutely deserve an advocate who will fight for you with true empathy and passion.
There are several reasons to trust us, including:
- No win, no fee. Guarantee: If you do not win your case with our Columbia pedestrian accident attorney on your side, you do not pay for any of our attorney services. We do all the necessary work upfront without charging you anything.
- More than a decade of experience: Throughout our experience, we have held some of the largest insurance companies to task, making them pay for the damages they have caused victims and recovering millions of dollars as a result.
- We care about you: While your case is critical to win, you can also expect our legal team to provide quality service and individualized attention to your needs. We care about helping you recover from this devastation.
Get to know our legal team before you decide to hire anyone, and find out why we are one of the trusted Columbia pedestrian accident law firms in the area. Call us now to discuss your case in a free consultation. Let us build a strong case and claim for you.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Columbia Build Your Case
Suffering injuries from a pedestrian accident is a serious incident that may seem like a straightforward claim. However, it is very common for insurance companies to try to reduce any compensation paid out, even trying to switch the blame to you. There are several steps we take as your attorney to build a strong case:
- Full investigation: We do not stop at what the police report says, but fully investigate every detail of what occurred. This includes speaking with witnesses, presenting expert testimony, and documenting your injuries through your attorney.
- Prove all parties responsible: It may not just be a driver that is at fault, but that driver’s employer or the maker of their vehicle. We analyze all aspects of your case to ensure we know all parties responsible.
- Evaluate your losses: To build a maximum claim, our Columbia pedestrian accident attorney will discuss your case with your doctors and industry experts while gaining insight into the long-term implications of your losses.
- Demonstrate insurance company responsibility: Expect our legal team to fight tirelessly for you. To achieve this, we will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company through a well-supported claim. We do not stop until your case is treated fairly.
- Go to trial to fight for you: There are some situations where insurance companies may not treat you fairly. Expect our skilled trial attorneys to take your pedestrian case to the Columbia courts, allowing a judge to rule on your rights.
We offer a comprehensive legal process, one that includes routine communication and compassionate legal guidance. Your life has changed remarkably since someone else was negligent. Expect us to be there, fighting for you to recover fair compensation in every case. Talk to our Columbia car accident lawyer today.
South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to a study by Smart Growth America, South Carolina is the third-deadliest state for pedestrians. Nearly 20 people die daily from motor-vehicle-pedestrian accidents, with approximately 7,500 pedestrians killed yearly. Columbia ranks 12th out of 100 deadliest metropolitan areas.
This data highlights the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents in South Carolina. For those lucky enough to survive a pedestrian accident, it is crucial for them to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbia immediately. Doing so will help them get their life back on track.
Many people are struck by vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, and buses through no fault of their own, suffering a significant amount of loss for no reason. Our attorneys are ready to fight for you to reclaim your life or at least the financial compensation to help you get back on track. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys in Columbia are ready to help you.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When a pedestrian gets into an accident with a vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. There is no denying that the human body is not built to sustain the impact of a two-and-a-half-ton piece of metal on four wheels. Not only are these vehicles much larger than the person they are colliding with, but they are moving at a far greater speed.
This makes it much harder for pedestrians to get out of the way, increasing the potential for severe damage. Even if a bike hits a pedestrian, the damage can still be significant because it is a metal structure moving quickly. Common injuries associated with these accidents include the following:
- Head Injuries: Experiencing a head-on collision with a car or truck can cause a victim’s skull to crash into the front of the vehicle or its windshield. Various physical and psychological signs of a traumatic brain injury can occur following such an injury.
- Broken Bones: Bone fractures are typical of pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, breaking an arm or a leg or dislocating a hip can happen.
- Back Injuries: like head injuries, spinal cord injuries from a South Carolina accident can do a great deal of harm to a person. The spine plays an integral role in the body, and a severe injury can affect a person’s limbs.
Accidents can also cause long-term impacts on your health, including the risk of partial or full disability. If your injuries are catastrophic or permanent, we recommend seeking legal guidance from a pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbia. You need comprehensive recovery, and we have the experience to help you get it. Our Columbia truck accident lawyers are here for you.
The Implications of Catastrophic Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident
In situations where you suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of a pedestrian accident, we strongly encourage you to contact an attorney to discuss your case before you settle your claim. Catastrophic injuries are those that have a lasting impact on your health, emotional well-being, ability to work, and quality of life. Some examples of these injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries with cognitive function impact
- Spinal cord injuries with partial or full loss of function and mobility
- Burns and other disfigurements
- Amputations
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Chronic pain development with lasting outcomes
In each of these situations, you can expect our Columbia pedestrian accident lawyer to work with your doctors to best understand what your future holds, including the impact on your health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life.
We will then build a claim that is robust enough to alleviate the financial strain that such an incident can have on your life and future. Let us be your advocate in these difficult situations.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Are Likely to Take Place
Pedestrian accidents can take place at any location and at any time. However, there are some commonalities to be aware of so pedestrians can protect themselves. Urban environments are more prone to pedestrian accidents due largely to the increased number of pedestrians.
Accidents involving pedestrians are also likely to occur at intersections that are not built for pedestrian traffic. The time of day is another factor to consider. Pedestrian accidents are likely to happen at night because it is harder for vehicles to see people in the dark, especially on roads with poor lighting.
Weather conditions can also affect visibility. If it is snowing, raining, or foggy, pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by a vehicle. A pedestrian accident attorney in Columbia can be a great resource for those injured by a vehicle.
What Typically Causes Pedestrian Accidents
It is clear how pedestrians are disadvantaged when involved in an accident. Arguably, the biggest contributing factor is distracted driving. Whether the vehicle being operated is a truck, car, or bicycle, pedestrians are at risk if the driver takes their eyes off the road.
Two additional causes of pedestrian accidents include speeding and driving while intoxicated. If the driver is moving at high speeds, it is much harder for them to hit the brakes and come to a stop. If they are driving while drunk or high, then that makes matters worse.
If they are distracted, speeding, and driving under the influence, nearby pedestrians are in serious danger. As experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Columbia, we have helped many people find the support they need after such devastating accidents. Expect us to work diligently to prove your right to compensation.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
No one wants to be the victim of a pedestrian accident. However, it is essential to know what to do if faced with this unfortunate circumstance. Below are the steps one should take when in a pedestrian accident.
- Receive Medical Attention: Pedestrians injured by a vehicle should not delay seeking medical treatment because their injuries may be severe or potentially fatal if untreated. Holding on to any medical reports, bills, and receipts is also important.
- Call the Police: Speaking with the police is important because it is the first step in holding the negligent party accountable for their reckless and dangerous behavior. The police report will also prove useful when building a case with a Columbia pedestrian accidents lawyer.
- Speak with Witnesses: Having witnesses’ accounts of what happened can benefit the injured pedestrian because this information can support what they said happened to them.
A Columbia pedestrian accident attorney can help ensure all the appropriate steps are taken, so speaking with one as soon as possible is in the victim’s best interests. Our experience works in your favor. Expect us to pursue full compensation for you and maximize the compensation owed in every situation.
What to Do if Your Family Member Lost Their Life in a Pedestrian Accident
The unfortunate reality that many families face is that their loved one will not recover and may lose their life directly as a result of the negligence of others. When this happens, there is no legal action that we can take to make it better, but we can build a strong case for you, one that will hold those who are responsible accountable.
We encourage you to take the following steps:
- Avoid speaking to the insurance company of the at-fault party: If contacted about filing a claim, tell them you have retained our legal team.
- Seek out a free consultation with us: Our Columbia wrongful death lawyer can help you determine if your loved one’s death is wrongful death, and help you build a claim if so.
- Let our legal team build a strong, evidence-backed claim for compensation: We can alleviate this frustration on your behalf.
There is never an out-of-pocket charge when working with our team, and we only receive payment if we recover damages for your family. Seek out a consultation to enable our attorneys to evaluate your case for you. Know that we are here to help you every step of the way to getting justice.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies may seek out support for you right away, often promising to help you get compensated for the losses you have incurred. They are not being honest with you if they tell you to settle your claim quickly. Instead, let our Columbia pedestrian accident lawyers help you determine if their offer to settle is actually all you are owed.
Our attorneys review your case and explore all types of losses you may have now, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and any losses you may have in the future from this accident. We then obtain the necessary evidence to back up your claims. Our goal is to ensure you get the legal representation you deserve in this case.
When you reach out to us for a free consultation, there is no risk in working with us. We do not charge you anything for your consultation. Let us take a closer look at your claim before you sign away your ability to receive additional compensation later. You deserve to have a trusted, experienced, and aggressive attorney working on your side.
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm to Get Help From a Columbia Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Victims of pedestrian accidents in Columbia need to speak with a lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm. For over 10 years, our firm has helped victims and their families move forward after an accident or injury, recovering more than $6 million to cover their bills and treatment.
After an accident, you do not have to go it alone. The smartest move a pedestrian accident victim in Columbia can make is to contact us.