Everything You Need to Know About Pedestrian Accidents in Florence, SC

Curtis Dayson | June 26, 2025 | Personal Injury | Last Updated August 29, 2026

Florence, South Carolina, offers an excellent backdrop for getting outside, no matter the season. Maybe you’re strolling through Williams Heights or pedaling your bike near the water. There’s a lot to do. But as relaxing as it can be, all it takes is one wrong move for that peaceful outing to take a dangerous turn.

Getting injured as a pedestrian can mean getting hit by a car. It may also involve a reckless boater striking you while you’re in the water in Florence, SC.

In this post, you’ll learn about:

• What pedestrian accidents are
• Common accident causes
• Who’s responsible for accidents involving pedestrians
• What to do after a pedestrian-involved incident
• How contacting a pedestrian accident lawyer may benefit you

What Is a Pedestrian Accident?

It’s understandable to assume that pedestrians getting hurt only involves people walking or standing. It doesn’t. While that’s often the case, those aren’t the only types of pedestrian-involved accidents. People using wheelchairs, joggers, bicyclists, and rollerbladers are also pedestrians.

Due to the varied nature of pedestrian-involved accidents, these nightmarish situations can happen nearly anywhere, including:

• Sidewalks
• Bus stops
• Intersections
• Driveways
• Neighborhood streets
• Retail store parking lots
• Highways
• Parking garages
• And in many other areas

Accidents involving pedestrians are on the rise throughout much of the United States. As a pedestrian, staying vigilant is key.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florence, SC

These collisions typically stem from drivers not paying attention, environmental factors, or both. A few leading causes of pedestrians getting injured involve distracted driving and speeding. Unfortunately, distracted drivers have existed as long as driving itself. Making matters worse, there are more distractions now than ever for drivers to watch out for, including:

• Talkative passengers
• Messing with their radio or infotainment panel
• Using a smartphone while driving
• Eating and drinking behind the wheel

Speeding also contributes to injuries and deaths. When drivers travel too fast, they often cannot stop in time or dodge a pedestrian.

Sometimes, the cause of a pedestrian accident in Florence has more to do with the environment than with anyone involved. An example would be a busy four-way intersection known for its faulty streetlights. If a pedestrian walks through this area at night and the streetlights aren’t operational, a driver could hit them due to low visibility.

On the other hand, pedestrians are also responsible for keeping themselves safe. Public intoxication, jaywalking, or distracting yourself with loud music played through earbuds or headphones can increase the likelihood of you getting into an accident as a pedestrian, which is partially or fully your fault.

Who Is Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident in Florence?

After someone sustains an injury, knowing who’s responsible is a vital concern. In accidents involving pedestrians, a detailed analysis is sometimes required. Understanding a state’s (in this case, South Carolina’s) laws is also critical. As every pedestrian accident lawyer in South Carolina knows, this state utilizes comparative negligence. 

In this state, an injured person can legally recover damages from the injury they endured. However, this individual (the plaintiff) must not share more than 50% of the fault for this injury. If a plaintiff’s fault exceeds 50%, they’re not entitled to damages.

Example: You’re walking home at night and texting someone, focused on your phone. A driver approaches who’s distracted by adjusting the destination on his GPS and hits you. Because you and the driver were distracted, you would share a percentage of fault for this accident, but you may still be able to recover from the driver and their insurer.

Determining fault varies based on the unique conditions of each case. It often involves police reports, witness statements, camera footage, and each party’s side of the events. With so much happening and your financial future at stake, having a Florence pedestrian injury attorney in your corner is beneficial.

What to Do After an Accident

Knowing how to respond to a pedestrian accident is also essential after determining who’s responsible in Florence. If you were injured as a pedestrian, it’s crucial to act fast. By doing so, you protect your health and legal rights. Here’s what to do after an accident occurs.

• Get to Safety: Your safety is the most vital concern, whether you were walking, boating, or biking at the time of your accident. Also, get yourself and your bike, boat, or other vehicle away from the water or roadway (depending on where your accident occurred).
• Call 911: Making this call lets emergency responders treat you and other injured people. It also notifies the police, who should create a detailed report of this incident.
• Document What Happened: Take photos of the accident scene if it’s safe to do so. These images should detail the accident scene and your injuries.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Never state that you’re at fault for an accident. Both sides’ legal teams and law enforcement will help with this determination.

Why Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

It’s understandable to wonder if hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer is worth it. We get it. That’s why DSB Law Firm works on contingency. That means you don’t pay for our services unless we obtain a favorable courtroom outcome or you receive a settlement.

Our team of Florence pedestrian injury attorneys begins by understanding every detail of your case. We’re here to handle your legal matters. You focus on post-accident recovery. Through speaking with witnesses, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, and reviewing your medical records, our efforts aim to help maximize your compensation.

Choosing DSB Law Firm means having:

• A tight-knit, experienced legal team of proud South Carolinians
• A team that’s always responsive to your questions and concerns
• A law firm with a proven history of getting results for our clients

Keeping pedestrians safe is a responsibility everyone shares. As pedestrians should stay aware of their surroundings, so should vehicle operators sharing the road with these individuals. Unfortunately, accidents happen. When they do, contact DSB Law Firm. Our pedestrian injury attorneys in Florence, SC, are ready to hear the details of your injuries and form a plan to hold those responsible legally accountable.

FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim after pedestrian accidents in Florence, SC?

South Carolina law gives injured pedestrians two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually means losing the right to pursue compensation, so it’s wise to speak with an attorney well before that window closes.

What compensation can I recover after being hit as a pedestrian?

Injured pedestrians in South Carolina can typically pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability caused by the crash. The exact value depends on the severity of your injuries, how the accident happened, and how much fault, if any, is assigned to you. A case review can clarify what applies to your situation.

Can I still recover compensation if I was jaywalking or crossing outside a crosswalk?

Possibly. South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you’re found less than 50% at fault. Jaywalking may reduce your compensation but doesn’t automatically bar you from a claim, especially if the driver was speeding or distracted.

What are the most common injuries in pedestrian accident cases?

Pedestrians frequently suffer soft tissue damage like contusions, sprains, and lacerations, along with broken bones in the hands, wrists, arms, legs, and back. More serious crashes can also cause head trauma or spinal injuries, which is why documenting medical treatment early matters for both recovery and your claim.

Why do so many pedestrian accidents happen near intersections in Florence, SC?

Intersections combine turning vehicles, crosswalks, and traffic signals, which creates more opportunities for a driver to fail to yield or misjudge a pedestrian’s path. In Florence County, poorly lit rural roads and areas lacking sidewalks or marked crosswalks add another layer of risk, especially at night when visibility is already reduced.

Does riding a bike or using a wheelchair count as being a pedestrian under South Carolina law?

Yes. South Carolina law recognizes bicyclists, joggers, rollerbladers, and wheelchair users as pedestrians, not just those walking or standing. This matters because it broadens the group of people who can pursue a claim after being struck by a vehicle, regardless of whether they were on foot at the time.

How can a lawyer help if the driver’s insurance company disputes who caused the accident?

An attorney can gather police reports, witness statements, and camera footage to build a clear picture of what happened before the insurance company’s version of events takes hold. DSB Law Firm reviews these details early and pushes back when an insurer tries to shift blame onto the injured pedestrian, since disputed fault often lowers or delays a settlement offer without such pushback.