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Being struck by a car while you are on foot changes your life in an instant. There is no bumper, no airbag, and no seatbelt between you and the vehicle. The injuries reflect that. If this happened to you in McCormick County, you already know the situation. You are facing medical bills, missing work, and dealing with an insurance company that is unlikely to offer what your case is worth.
At Hite Law Firm, our team of McCormick pedestrian accident lawyers has represented injured people throughout McCormick County and the Lakelands region for more than 40 years. We know exactly what these cases require.
Tell us what happened. Your consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Pedestrian Safety in McCormick
South Carolina is one of the more dangerous states in the country for people on foot. Pedestrian fatalities rose from 173 in 2022 to 187 in 2023. That was nearly 18 percent of all traffic deaths statewide that year. Nationally, 7,522 pedestrians were killed in 2023. That is a 16 percent increase from 2018.
Even light traffic creates real risk for anyone walking. Highway 28 runs directly through downtown and meets US 378 at one of the town’s busiest intersections. Through traffic passes the same sidewalks residents use to reach the courthouse and Main Street businesses. Savannah Lakes Village sits just outside town. It draws a steady stream of retirees and visitors who walk and golf-cart along local roads. Many of those roads were not built for that volume of foot traffic. Add limited street lighting on the rural stretches connecting these areas. A driver who is speeding, distracted, or unfamiliar with the road can turn an ordinary evening walk into a catastrophic injury. Our McCormick pedestrian accident attorneys have watched these cases play out for decades. We build every case with that local landscape in mind.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in McCormick
Almost every pedestrian accident traces back to a driver who failed to do something the law required. Identifying that failure early is the foundation of a strong claim. It is where our firm starts on every new case.
- Failure to yield at a marked or unmarked crosswalk downtown
- Speeding on rural stretches of Highway 28 or US 378 where shoulders are narrow, and lighting is limited
- Distracted driving, including phone use, near the SC 28 and US 378 junction
- Impaired driving, particularly during evening hours on roads outside the town center
- Backing accidents in parking areas along Main Street and near local businesses
- Left-turn crashes where a driver misjudges a pedestrian already in the crosswalk
| Common Cause | How It Happens in McCormick | Evidence Commonly Used |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to yield | Driver ignores a pedestrian at a downtown crosswalk near Main Street | Witness statements, business surveillance footage |
| Distracted driving | Driver is on a phone approaching the SC 28 and US 378 junction | Cell phone records, eyewitness accounts |
| Speeding | Driver exceeds posted limits on Highway 28 or US 378 outside town | Skid mark analysis, accident reconstruction, vehicle data recorders |
| Impaired driving | Driver is under the influence on a rural road after dark | Police toxicology reports, field sobriety records |
| Poor lighting or road design | Limited lighting on connecting roads near Savannah Lakes Village | Road maintenance records, SCDOT correspondence |
When the Pedestrian Is Partially at Fault
Insurance adjusters almost always look for a way to shift blame onto the person who was hurt. They point to jaywalking, dark clothing, or a missing crosswalk on a rural road. South Carolina applies a modified comparative negligence rule. It reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51 percent or more responsible, you cannot recover anything at all.
These arguments are frequently overstated. A driver who was speeding or distracted carries primary responsibility, no matter where the pedestrian happened to be crossing. Our McCormick pedestrian accident lawyers push back on inflated fault claims with evidence. We do this before any settlement number is ever discussed.
“I highly recommend this law firm. Tombo Hite and staff were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my well-being throughout my car accident case. They promptly returned calls, kept me informed, and made the entire process as smooth as possible. I truly appreciate their dedication and excellent service. Thank you!”
Margaret O., Google Review
Injuries Our McCormick Pedestrian Accident Lawyers See
Without any protective barrier, the full force of a vehicle transfers directly to the person’s body. Even a crash at a modest speed can cause injuries that reshape someone’s life.
- Traumatic brain injuries, including trauma that does not appear on an initial scan
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken hips, pelvis, legs, arms, and ribs
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe road rash and skin loss from impact with the pavement
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety following the crash
Many of these injuries require emergency surgery, extended hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation. The bills from the first few weeks rarely reflect the full cost. A properly built personal injury claim accounts for future surgeries and ongoing therapy. It also accounts for home modifications and lost earning capacity. Our team works with medical and economic professionals. That way, none of those future costs get left out of your case.
Our Attorneys Know South Carolina Law and Pedestrian Rights
State law gives people on foot clear protection on public roadways. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, marked or unmarked. They must also exercise due care to avoid a collision. That duty applies when someone is crossing at an intersection, too, even where no crosswalk line has been painted.
These duties apply whether or not the pedestrian was technically in the ideal spot. A driver who strikes someone crossing mid-block on Highway 28 may still carry significant liability. That is true if speeding or distraction played any role. Courts weigh the full circumstances of the crash. They do not simply ask whether a crosswalk was used. Insurance companies know this and still try to use crossing location to reduce what they pay. We push back on that argument every time it comes up.
When a Government Entity May Be Liable
Not every pedestrian crash comes down to driver error alone. Poor road design can contribute to a collision. So can missing crosswalk markings, malfunctioning signals, or inadequate lighting on a rural stretch outside McCormick. When a government entity is responsible for maintaining that road, it may share liability for what happened. These claims carry different procedural rules. They often carry shorter filing deadlines than a standard injury case. If road conditions played any role in your crash, contact our office promptly so those deadlines are not missed.
Speak with a McCormick pedestrian accident attorney before you sign anything or give a statement to the insurance company.
What Compensation Is Available After a Pedestrian Accident
South Carolina law allows injured pedestrians to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. These can come from the at-fault driver and any other responsible party. A serious case is almost always worth more than an insurer’s first offer.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses, past and future, including surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy
- Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit future work
- Home modifications or assistive equipment your recovery requires
- In-home care and assistance during treatment
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering during treatment and beyond
- Emotional distress and psychological harm from the accident
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life and daily activities
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or partner
Our McCormick Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help In Fatal Injury Cases
When a pedestrian crash proves fatal, surviving family members have the right to bring a wrongful death claim. The estate’s personal representative files the action. It can recover lost income, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. A survival action can also recover the losses the deceased person experienced between the impact and their passing.
What to Do After Being Injured as a Pedestrian in McCormick
What you do in the hours and days after your crash affects your ability to recover fair compensation.
- Call 911 immediately. A police report documents the driver’s information, the crash location, and the officer’s observations. Get the report number before you leave.
- Get emergency care right away. The nearest emergency room and trauma center is Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, roughly 25 miles away. Go by ambulance or have someone drive you, even if you feel able to walk away. Internal injuries and brain trauma can appear hours or days later. Local clinics can handle follow-up care once you are stable.
- Document the scene. Photograph the vehicle, the road, any crosswalk markings, and your injuries. Collect contact information from anyone who witnessed the crash.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver’s insurer. Adjusters call quickly, often before you have retained a lawyer. They are trained to use your own words against you.
- Do not accept an early settlement. Initial offers rarely account for the full scope of future medical costs or long-term disability. Once you sign a release, the claim cannot be reopened.
- Contact a McCormick pedestrian accident lawyer promptly. South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years under S.C. Code § 15-3-530. Claims against a government entity may carry a shorter deadline, so acting early protects your case.
“Everyone is incredibly friendly and helpful!”
Brittany B., Google Review
How Our McCormick Pedestrian Accident Attorney Team Handles These Cases
Pedestrian cases demand fast, thorough investigation. Traffic footage from businesses along Main Street gets overwritten within days. Skid marks fade, and road conditions shift. Witnesses forget details within weeks of a crash. We move quickly the moment a new matter comes in. The evidence that proves your case has a short shelf life.
We also know how these cases get argued locally. Insurance companies handling pedestrian accident claims in a rural county almost always try to shift blame onto the person who was walking. They point to a lack of sidewalks or a missing crosswalk on roads that were never designed for heavy foot traffic. Our attorneys anticipate those arguments. We document the full scope of your losses before any settlement conversation starts.
Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
For more than 40 years, Hite Law Firm has helped injured people in McCormick County and throughout the Lakelands region hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the compensation they deserve. If you were hit by a vehicle while walking, our attorneys are ready to investigate the crash, protect your rights, and handle the insurance company while you focus on healing.
We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We offer free consultations by phone, video, in person, or at another location that is convenient for your recovery.
Contact our McCormick pedestrian accident lawyers today to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.
