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Given the number of cars on the road each year, it’s no surprise that pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence. Unfortunately, when it’s you versus a vehicle, the injuries can be severe and even life-altering. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal bleeding.
While individual cases can vary in severity, these injuries often lead to costly treatment and lengthy recovery times. If you were hit by a vehicle, understanding the most common pedestrian injuries helps you recognize warning signs and when you should seek immediate medical attention.
Having a medical record for the injury can also strengthen your case should you decide to pursue financial recovery through a Rutherfordton pedestrian accident lawyer. Below, we answer common questions about these injuries and explain what steps to take after a crash.
What Are the Most Common Accident Injuries for Pedestrians?
Pedestrian accidents and serious injuries are on the rise and have been for the past several years. While overall traffic fatalities saw an increase of about 13% between 2009 and 2023, pedestrian traffic fatalities rose by 90% in that same time. This trend shows just how important it is to be proactive as a pedestrian to keep yourself safe and protected. Some of the most common injuries pedestrians sustain in accidents include:
1. Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Head injuries are among the most serious that occur in pedestrian accidents. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) specifically can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage and can affect your speech and motor functions.
Even if your symptoms seem mild at first, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial to avoid delayed brain swelling, which can be life-threatening.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Car accidents that are high-impact can cause severe spinal cord damage, which can sometimes result in partial or even complete paralysis. These injuries often require long-term medical care and can cause emotional and financial strain for you and your family.
Hiring a lawyer in these cases can increase your chances of recovering a higher spinal cord injury settlement.
3. Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones are another common pedestrian accident injury, with the most vulnerable areas being the legs, arms, ribs, hips, and facial bones. For severe fractures, surgery is often necessary, along with months of physical therapy.
Even after healing, you can experience pain and limited movement long-term.
4. Internal Organ Damage
When absorbing the full force of impact in a car accident, the body can also sustain internal injuries, such as bruising and ruptured organs. This is why seeking immediate medical attention is so important, even if you don’t notice any external wounds.
Internal bleeding from these types of injuries can put you at serious risk, which can become fatal if left untreated.
5. Soft-Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, bruises, and torn ligaments, also known as soft-tissue injuries, are other common injuries you may experience after a pedestrian accident. Whiplash, for example, can happen when the body is violently thrown or flung around after being struck.
While these injuries might not seem as severe, they can cause chronic pain and require ongoing therapy.
6. Road Rash and Lacerations
Being thrown or dragged by a vehicle can result in abrasions, cuts, puncture wounds, and lacerations. In severe cases, you may need stitches or surgery to perform skin grafts. Even minor road rash injuries can result in scarring and infection.
In the most serious situations, you could become permanently disfigured or suffer from nerve damage.
7. Psychological Trauma
While physical injuries might seem worse, the emotional effects are often just as traumatic and can last long after your physical wounds heal. Many pedestrian accident survivors experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other symptoms that disrupt their daily lives.
As a result, counseling and therapy are typically necessary to help with recovery.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you sustain injuries in a pedestrian accident, your health and safety should be a top priority. Taking the following steps will further your pursuit of compensation for your emotional and financial losses:
- Seek emergency medical care: Even if you don’t notice any injuries or pain right away, you should always seek medical attention. You never know what could be going on internally.
- Call 911: Police reports play a vital role in proving what happened and backing up your case when you file a claim.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene and the damage, talk to witnesses and get their contact information, and note other details that may have played a role in the accident. These will all help you build a strong case.
- Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters alone: It is common practice for Insurers to try to minimize your claim by using certain tactics, which may include getting you to admit fault. For this reason, you should never speak to an insurance agent without first talking to a lawyer.
- Contact a pedestrian accident attorney: A lawyer who has experience handling pedestrian accident cases can protect your rights and handle communication with insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving crucial evidence and maximizing your compensation.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (828) 286-3866
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help?
Pedestrian accident attorneys can help with a number of things, including:
- Investigating your accident and gathering evidence to help prove fault
- Accessing and reviewing police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other important data
- Calculating the value of your losses to ensure full and fair compensation for your injuries
- Handling all communications with insurance companies on your behalf
- Ensuring your claim or lawsuit is filed within the legal deadlines
- Representing you in court if the case goes to trial
Handling a pedestrian accident case on your own can be stressful and even confusing. When you work with a lawyer, they can handle all of the complexities of the case for you, offering clear guidance and support so you can focus instead on getting the medical care you need.
Get the Help You Need After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents are both physically and emotionally traumatic, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries. Hiring a lawyer ensures you get the support you need to win your case and recover full compensation to cover your injuries.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, you pay nothing up front. We only collect fees if we win your case. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We have multiple office locations across North Carolina and South Carolina, and can meet with you wherever it’s most convenient.
