Life can change in an instant. For one Columbia woman, a walk on Bluff Road turned into a nightmare when a car struck her on the shoulder of the road. The collision not only left her with devastating injuries but also brought the daunting challenge of proving her innocence after being incorrectly marked at fault on the collision report.
Faced with life-altering trauma and a system stacked against her, she turned to Joye Law Firm for help. Attorney Eliza Lynch from our Columbia office stepped in, determined to fight for justice and hold the at-fault driver accountable. Case Manager Jamie Ross played a pivotal role in ensuring seamless organization and clear communication throughout the process.
Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle on Bluff Road in Columbia, South Carolina
On the night of the incident, our client was walking along the shoulder of Bluff Road towards Williams Brice stadium when her life changed forever. A motor vehicle veered into her path, striking her with enough force to cause catastrophic injuries. Her left toe was traumatically amputated during the impact and later recovered by EMS in a roadside ditch. She also sustained numerous fractures in her left foot and ankle and a lumbar spine fracture at L5. These injuries required extensive medical treatment and drastically impacted her quality of life. Her initial EMS treatment and hospital visit amounted to a massive $72,000 in medical bills.
Adding to the distress, the collision report incorrectly placed the blame on the victim. Because of this, the responsible driver’s insurance company outright denied liability. Without legal representation, the victim may have been left without any compensation to help with her recovery.
From At-Fault to Fully Compensated: Turning the Tables on an Accident Claim
The collision report and initial denial from the insurance company created significant hurdles for the victim. Relying on the report’s findings, the insurance company argued that their policyholder was not liable. However, Attorney Eliza Lynch knew that cases involving pedestrians are nuanced and that this was not as cut and dry as the insurance company led her client to believe. She meticulously reviewed the details of the case, constructing a compelling argument that demonstrated the driver’s negligence. 
In her initial demand, Attorney Lynch referenced the 1953 South Carolina federal court case, Greene v. Miller, which clearly established that it is the driver’s responsibility to take every precaution to avoid hitting a pedestrian. To reinforce this point, she cited several other provisions from South Carolina’s legal code, including § 56-5-3230, which mandates that drivers should use their horn to avoid a crash—something the defendant failed to do and § 56-5-3130, which mandates that drivers yield when a pedestrian is close to or in the vehicle’s lane.
Attorney Lynch further argued that, under South Carolina law, pedestrians have the right of way even in they walk in the path of a vehicle. There is NO circumstance where a driver has the right to run over a pedestrian.
Despite the initial liability denial, the insurance company ultimately agreed to pay the maximum policy limit of $100,000 without further debate. This result provided the client with financial support to help cover her medical expenses, ongoing care, and other damages caused by the accident.
The Power of Skilled Advocacy in Overcoming Adversity
This case underscores the importance of experienced legal representation for injury victims, especially when the odds appear stacked against them. Attorney Eliza Lynch’s tenacity not only secured a fair outcome but also helped restore dignity and hope for her client during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
At Joye Law Firm, we believe no one should face such battles alone. When the unexpected turns life upside down, we are here to help our clients pick up the pieces and fight for the justice they deserve.
Disclaimer: past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
