Spartanburg Pedestrian Accident Claims: Why Highways Are More Dangerous Than Downtown

Headlines about pedestrian accident claims can spark fear in both locals and visitors to Spartanburg. These types of accidents bring up the notion that downtown is the biggest hazard, but that simply isn’t true. The truth is, Spartanburg pedestrians are at much higher risk on rural, unlit, high-speed roadways.

A Brief Overview of Pedestrian Accidents

When it comes to pedestrian accidents, the narrative of a “walkable downtown” obscures the broader risks that residents face on rural, unlit, high-speed roads.

Recent data reveals that pedestrian fatalities in South Carolina dropped from 2022 to 2023, though the numbers remain troubling. In 2022, the state recorded about 232 pedestrian fatalities; in 2023, that figure fell to around 215. Yet any number in the hundreds is still far too high. These figures are problematic because they might lead people to think the risk is shrinking across the board when, in fact, it varies widely depending on location.

Downtown Spartanburg may feel safer, with its sidewalks and crosswalks. But that does not reflect the conditions along major corridors that many residents rely on for everyday travel. Outside the city center, roads lack infrastructure. That gap increases the likelihood of severe collisions and, in turn, pedestrian accident claims.

Why Highways Like SC 176, SC 9, and I 26 Are So Dangerous for Pedestrians

The truth about our roadways is that most of them lack the infrastructure and visibility to remain safe for pedestrians. Once you stray from the downtown area, large stretches of road run without marked crossings. Faded signage and limited lighting make it difficult for both pedestrians and drivers to stay safe. Picture someone walking to catch a bus or head to work. Stepping onto SC 176 or SC 9 with no sidewalk beneath their feet or a crosswalk to guide their way, they could easily find themselves invisible to traffic. 

These are not downtown scenes; they’re long, multi-lane routes with frequent cars and few safe points for pedestrians. Add in the risk of inclement weather or simply driving at night, and visibility becomes nearly impossible.

SC-176 and SC-9

These are roads built for fast-moving traffic. They have few lights or crossings. Heavy commuter traffic barrels by at speeds far too high for someone on foot. Add poor visibility at dawn or dusk (rush hours), and the result is a recipe for tragedy. Sidewalks simply do not stretch long enough to serve anyone trying to cross them or walk along them safely.

I-26

Legally off-limits to pedestrians, I-26 should not have walkers. Unfortunately, crashes involving pedestrians still happen. Drivers stranded after a breakdown or needing to reach service roads may try to walk, unaware of how dangerous it is. With traffic merging at high speeds, the risk of fatal outcomes rises dramatically.

Real Cases Highlight the Severity of Getting Hit by a Car

Local news over the past six months has shown the deadly reality of pedestrian collisions away from downtown. For example, a pedestrian was struck and killed when she attempted to cross SC 1676 near Petrie Road just after 10:00 p.m. 

On I-26, a pedestrian standing on the shoulder was struck and killed by a car that ran off the road. This incident occurred around 5:30 p.m., when the pedestrian was attempting to help the victims of another car accident. 

These examples make one thing clear: highway-adjacent pedestrian accidents are not rare, and they are not minor. Hiring a Spartanburg pedestrian lawyer can help. An experienced attorney familiar with local roadways can help protect your interests and get you the compensation you need if you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident.

Who’s at Fault in a Mid-Block or Highway Pedestrian Crash?

In many instances, both the driver and the pedestrian bear some level of fault.

Jaywalking is not an automatic bar to compensation in South Carolina. Neither is “distracted walking,” or failing to look both ways before entering a crosswalk. This is because South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which says even a partially found partially to blame can seek compensation. As long as you are found more than 50% at-fault, you can still recover damages. Once you hit 51%, however, you can be barred from recovering anything.

What Pedestrian Accident Claims Can Cover

When claims succeed, they cover a range of damages. Three types of damages may be recoverable in a pedestrian accident claim: 

1. Compensable damages. Damages that have a set dollar amount are referred to as compensable damages. Items such as medicine, hospital stays, treatments, therapies, and lost wages fall under this category.
2. Non-compensable damages. Some damages are hard to quantify. Pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life are recoverable damages that can be quantified with the help of an experienced attorney. 
3. Punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when the person responsible for the accident acted in a particularly careless or reckless manner. 

When you’re the victim of a pedestrian accident in Spartanburg, the other party’s insurance company may attempt to get you to accept the first settlement amount they offer. This is usually an amount far too low for the actual value of the claim. Having an attorney on your side can help make sure you aren’t accepting a low-ball offer.

What Spartanburg Needs to Do to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Spartanburg’s infrastructure and highways create risks, but there are steps the county can take:

1. Add crosswalks and sidewalks on long commercial corridors. Roads like SC-176 and SC-9 need safe pedestrian paths even through business areas. Stores and businesses along the roadway share the responsibility and should create safe access to their entrances from the roads. 
2. Improve lighting and signage at highway exits, service roads and residential cut-throughs. A better glow and clearer signs give drivers more time to see people.
3. Install pedestrian signals near bus stops. Those spots generate foot traffic but lack safe crossing points. Many residents rely on the bus system for transportation to and from work, increasing their risk of an accident daily. 
4. Use crash data to target redesign in high-risk zones. Then concentrate resources where the most accidents occur. Highly reflective paint for crosswalks and flashing pedestrian crossing signs are two examples of how the county can improve visibility for pedestrians in these zones. 
5. Expand public education campaigns. Tell drivers that pedestrians may walk even when sidewalks stop. Tell walkers how to stay visible at night. 
6. Create safer walking paths near industrial areas. The workers there often walk between stores, stops, and home with no clear or safe route.
7. Support smart enforcement. Target speeding and distracted driving along busy corridors known for pedestrian activity.

All of these ideas can start making streets safer county-wide.

How Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Spartanburg Can Help

If you’ve been hit while walking on a Spartanburg roadway, HawkLaw, P.A. understands what lies ahead. We’ll fight for your right to fair compensation by handling your claim from start to finish. If you’ve already filed a claim (or had it denied), we can step in with our knowledge of insurance company tactics and file an appeal on your behalf. We know how to counter arguments about partial fault and show how dangerous roads contributed to harm. You do not have to fight complex pedestrian accident claims alone. We are here to handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing.

Injured in a Pedestrian Crash? Talk to a Spartanburg Lawyer Today

If you were hurt while walking, we offer a free consultation.* Let’s talk about what happened and what steps you can take next. HawkLaw, P.A. serves clients throughout South Carolina from offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greeneville, and Anderson. The Anderson office is by appointment only, and most clients will be served from the Greenville office.