Pedestrians along public roads, whether they are walking, jogging, or even sitting, should expect to feel safe from negligent drivers. Unfortunately, auto accidents involving pedestrians can and do occur, especially in high-traffic areas, and there were nearly 66,000 such injuries in 2013 alone.
Pedestrians can be seriously injured when struck by a motor vehicle. Serious injuries include:
- Head injuries – These include skull fractures and blunt force trauma as well as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Pedestrians can be seriously injured if the head strikes the vehicle or ground following the impact, and concussions and/or brain trauma can be caused by the brain striking the inside of the skull. These injuries can result in loss of cognitive or motor skills and may become lifelong complications in serious cases.
- Back, neck, and spinal injuries – Injuries in the back and spinal cord include bruising, damage to vertebrae, whiplash, and even permanent paralysis. Many spinal cord injuries require surgery to prevent further complications, and temporary paralysis can also occur following an accident, requiring hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.
- Injures to extremities – The impact from a vehicle can cause broken and bones and, in severe cases, the loss of a limb.
- Emotional trauma – Though this type of trauma can be more difficult to gauge, it is indeed real and can have lasting impacts on a victim’s mental and emotional stability, possibly requiring counseling, medication, or other remedies.
- Death – The risk of death when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian is due not only to the clear size and force of the vehicle, but also the pedestrian’s total lack of protection. In 2013 alone more than 4,700 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it’s important to note that pedestrians are among the few groups suffering an increase in traffic-related fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
