Any type of collision involving a motor vehicle has the potential to cause serious injuries for any person involved. However, they can be especially serious and often life-threatening if you are hit by a car without any type of protection to keep you safe.
This is what happens when pedestrians are hit by motor vehicles. They are affected by every factor of the crash, be it speed, angle, force and other obstacles involved because they do not have the protection of their own vehicle, a seat belt or airbags. In these situations, there are some common and catastrophic injuries that pedestrians can suffer if they are struck by a vehicle.
Even in minor collisions, pedestrians can suffer:
- Broken bones
- Serious cuts
- Concussions
- Severe bruising
- Back and neck pain
When cars are traveling at high speeds or if a pedestrian is crushed or thrown in the crash, injuries can be particularly dire. These injuries can include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Damage to internal organs
Considering the fact that roughly 5,000 people die in pedestrian accidents a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, it is crucial that people take pedestrian safety seriously and get medical attention as soon as possible in the event of a collision. Even if injuries seem minor at first, they can get worse over time. And in many cases, people can survive a crash even if they have life-threatening injuries as long as they get medical help right away.
After injuries have been identified and treated, it may be wise to examine your legal options after a pedestrian accident. Medical bills can be enormous; you may be unable to work; you may have to make adjustments to your home and lifestyle to accommodate your injuries. All these things can add up financially and become overwhelming.
This is why it can be crucial to discuss the option of pursuing compensation with an attorney. A legal claim cannot undo an accident, but it help you pursue damages that make it easier to adjust to life after one.
