Pedestrian Killed in Simpsonville Hit-and-Run: What South Carolina Families Should Know About Wrongful Death and Uninsured Motorist Claims

A pedestrian died after being struck in the parking lot of a department store on Fairview Road in Simpsonville, Greenville County, on Thursday evening, October 15, according to Fox Carolina. The Greenville County Coroner's Office reported that the person was taken to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital and died there less than an hour after the 5:35 p.m. collision. The Simpsonville Police Department is investigating.

Approximate crash location based on news reports. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Local reporting, including Hoodline, indicates the driver left the scene and has not been publicly identified. Police are asking anyone with information about what happened before or after the crash to come forward. The pedestrian's identity and the type of vehicle involved had not been released in the reports we reviewed.

Fairview Road is a busy shopping corridor, and large retail parking lots mix moving cars, backing vehicles, and people on foot every day. While the criminal investigation continues, there is a separate civil legal system in South Carolina that exists to help families recover and to hold responsible parties accountable. Here is how that system generally works after a fatal hit-and-run.

Wrongful Death Claims in South Carolina

When someone dies because of another person's wrongful act or negligence, South Carolina law allows a wrongful death action. The claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate, but it is for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children, or parents, or other heirs where those family members do not exist. Damages can include funeral and medical expenses, lost income and support, and the family's loss of companionship, as well as the pain and suffering the person experienced before death under a separate survival action.

South Carolina generally gives families three years to file, but evidence such as surveillance footage, vehicle debris, and witness memories can disappear quickly. Acting early protects the ability to prove what happened.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage When the Driver Is Unknown

When a driver flees and is never found, the at-fault party may be impossible to sue. That is where uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can matter. South Carolina requires auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and a pedestrian may be able to claim under their own policy or, in some situations, a policy held by a resident family member. Claims involving an unidentified vehicle come with specific statutory requirements, including proof that the unknown vehicle was involved and prompt reporting to police and to the insurer. Missing those requirements can jeopardize an otherwise valid claim.

Comparative Negligence and the 51% Bar

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. A person who is partly at fault can still recover, but only if their share of fault is 50% or less, and any award is reduced by their percentage of fault. Insurance companies sometimes try to shift blame onto pedestrians, arguing they were not in a crosswalk or were not paying attention. A careful investigation of lighting, driver speed, sight lines, and lot design is often what keeps those arguments in check.

Parking Lots, Property Owners, and Other Responsible Parties

Not every pedestrian injury in a parking lot comes down to the driver alone. Depending on the facts, a premises liability claim may exist if a property owner or manager failed to address foreseeable hazards such as poor lighting, confusing traffic flow, or missing crosswalk markings. Whether that applies is a fact-specific question, which is why preserving evidence early is so important.

If Your Family Is Facing Something Similar

Losing a loved one in a crash, especially when the driver has not been found, leaves families with grief and unanswered questions on top of mounting bills. At Biazzo Injury Law, we help South Carolina families understand their options after serious and fatal crashes, including wrongful death and uninsured motorist claims. We offer a free consultation, and there is no fee unless we win your case. Reach out to talk through your situation with no pressure.

The facts referenced in this article reflect publicly reported information from Fox Carolina and Hoodline. This post is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different; contact an attorney to discuss your specific circumstances.