Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 01, 2026
Charleston Ranks 12th in Pedestrian Deaths; Attorney Offers Legal Guidance
TLDR
- Charleston ranks 12th nationally for pedestrian deaths, so injured pedestrians should secure experienced legal representation to maximize their compensation.
- South Carolina's modified comparative negligence rule reduces awards by the pedestrian's fault share, and claims must generally be filed within three years.
- Woron and Dhillon urges residents to know their rights after pedestrian crashes, aiming to make Charleston's roads safer and tomorrow better for all.
- Charleston's 154 pedestrian deaths from 2020 to 2024 highlight a hidden safety crisis, and a federal grant now studies high-priority intersections.
Impact - Why it Matters
The ranking underscores a persistent public safety crisis in Charleston, where pedestrians face a significantly elevated risk of fatal injury. With South Carolina ranking fourth nationally, the issue extends beyond the metro area, affecting residents and visitors statewide. As Charleston invests in studying dangerous intersections, injured pedestrians must navigate complex liability rules and deadlines. Knowing their rights—including the duty of care owed by drivers, the potential for uninsured motorist coverage in hit-and-run crashes, and the three-year statute of limitations—is critical to securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. This news matters because it highlights both the scale of the problem and the legal avenues available to hold negligent drivers and, in some cases, government agencies accountable for road design failures.
Summary
Charleston-North Charleston ranks 12th nationally for pedestrian deaths, with 154 fatalities from 2020 to 2024, according to Smart Growth America's Dangerous by Design 2026 report. The rate of 3.69 per 100,000 residents was highlighted by Charleston City Paper reported. South Carolina ranks fourth among states, with 123 pedestrian deaths as of Oct. 6, 2026, slightly down from 129 at the same time in 2025, per the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Charleston is using a federal grant to study high-priority intersections, ABC News 4 reported.
In response, Woron and Dhillon, LLC is urging injured pedestrians to understand their rights and consult a pedestrian accident lawyer in Charleston, SC. The firm notes key legal points: drivers must exercise due care under S.C. Code § 56-5-3230; pedestrians outside crosswalks must yield under § 56-5-3150; hit-and-run victims may access uninsured motorist coverage; and most claims must be filed within three years under S.C. Code § 15-3-530. South Carolina's modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery if a pedestrian's fault does not exceed the defendants' combined fault, with awards reduced accordingly. Government agencies may share responsibility under the Tort Claims Act when road design contributes.
Brett Woron, an attorney at the firm, said, "Regional rankings describe the scale of the problem. After a crash, the questions are specific to that driver and that crossing. We start with the driver's speed, attention, and line of sight, then look at whether the crossing itself played a role." Woron and Dhillon, LLC serves clients from offices in Charleston, Columbia, and North Augusta. Brett Woron, a 2010 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, has practiced since 2011 and was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2019 through 2023. Amar S. Dhillon has practiced since 1999, focusing on motor vehicle crashes. The firm handles pedestrian claims along with motorcycle accident, catastrophic injury, and other personal injury matters, and consultations can be requested online.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Charleston Ranks 12th in Pedestrian Deaths; Attorney Offers Legal Guidance
