Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving NC, SC & GA
Pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating types of traffic incidents. When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the pedestrian absorbs the full impact with no protection whatsoever. The results are often catastrophic — broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and death. According to the CDC, approximately 7,500 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes in the United States each year, and tens of thousands more are seriously injured.
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our pedestrian accident attorneys are committed to helping victims and their families obtain the compensation they need. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial devastation that pedestrian accidents cause, and we work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
- Failure to yield at crosswalks — Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Distracted driving — Drivers texting or talking on the phone are less likely to notice pedestrians.
- Speeding — A pedestrian struck at 40 mph has an 85% chance of death compared to 10% at 20 mph.
- Impaired driving — Drunk and drugged drivers have reduced awareness and reaction time.
- Failure to obey traffic signals — Running red lights and stop signs puts pedestrians at extreme risk.
- Backing up without looking — Drivers in parking lots and driveways who fail to check for pedestrians.
- Poor visibility — Nighttime, rain, and fog reduce visibility, but drivers must adjust speed accordingly.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures including pelvis, legs, and arms
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Severe lacerations and road rash
- Knee and joint damage
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
State-Specific Pedestrian Laws
North Carolina
Under North Carolina law, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-173). However, North Carolina's contributory negligence rule means if a pedestrian is found even 1% at fault, they could be barred from recovering compensation. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
South Carolina
South Carolina law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (S.C. Code § 56-5-3130). Modified comparative negligence allows a pedestrian to recover if their fault does not exceed 50%. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Georgia law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93). Modified comparative negligence allows recovery if the pedestrian is less than 50% at fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Determining Liability
While drivers bear primary responsibility, liability can extend to government entities responsible for safe roads and crosswalks, property owners who fail to maintain sidewalks, construction companies creating hazards, and vehicle manufacturers if a defect contributed. Our attorneys use accident reconstruction experts, traffic engineers, and surveillance footage to establish responsibility.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Victims may recover compensation for all medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of quality of life, and wrongful death damages. Our attorneys work with medical professionals and economic experts to calculate the full value of your claim including future damages.
Get Help Today
If you or a family member has been struck by a vehicle, do not wait to seek legal help. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today for a free consultation.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.