Pedestrians are vulnerable whether they’re walking, running, or motionless. A negligent driver can cause a pedestrian accident in a second. Quite often, distraction is a major player. The motorist may be texting and driving and not looking out for people in their path. The pedestrian may be too busy on their phone to look before they cross the street. Pedestrians must look out for themselves, even though they have the right of way, but it’s also the responsibility of every motorist to give pedestrians a wide berth.
The Trauma of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often happen near an intersection, crosswalk, or in a parking lot. Drivers focused on looking out for moving traffic or a clear lane may overlook another important element – pedestrians. The pedestrian may be in their blind spot, especially when backing up in a parking area. A motorist who loses control of their vehicle can slam into an innocent pedestrian, sometimes even trapping them between their vehicle and a building or unyielding structure.
It doesn’t matter where the accident happens or how – what matters is the aftermath, and the injuries a pedestrian can suffer in a collision with a motorist.
Many pedestrian accidents are fatal. The sheer size of a vehicle is enough to crush a person and pedestrians have no protection against a collision. Those who are hit by a large vehicle like an SUV but survive may find themselves with injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries: A violent jarring of the head and neck, or a major blow to the head can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury. A pedestrian may be knocked down and hit their head on concrete or other surfaces, or their head may connect with the vehicle. If this type of injury does not result in death, a traumatic brain injury is likely and this problem can be long-lasting with reverberating effects that impact your ability to work, love, and enjoy life.
- Fractures and broken bones: When the body is hit by a major physical force like a car, broken bones can result. While some of these injuries heal in a reasonable amount of time with proper treatment, there are people who suffer extremely painful breaks that result in the need for intensive treatment and therapy and leave them with lifelong pain.
- Spinal cord injuries: A sudden and traumatic blow to the body can not only cause a TBI, but nerve injuries too, particularly spinal cord injuries. If the spine is fracture or vertebrae dislocated, the signals between brain and body will be interrupted and can result in long-lasting discomfort and chronic pain. Some pedestrians suffer paralysis.
- Emotional and mental trauma: Whether physical trauma results from a pedestrian accident or not, it is not surprising for victims of these types of accidents to suffer emotional or mental distress immediately after the incident and for weeks and years to come.
This list only scratches the surface of the injuries that a person can suffer in a pedestrian accident. If you were hit by a vehicle while walking or running, or you have lost a loved one to pedestrian death, contact Thurswell Law to discuss your case and schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today.
