COMMON PEDESTRIAN INJURIES AND HOW THEY’RE CAUSED

by rrblawadmin on June 07, 2017
In: Personal Injury

Sharing the road with motorized vehicles can be risky business. Cars, motorcycles, and trucks are all drastically larger and heavier than even the strongest human frame, and in a collision between a vehicle and John Doe pedestrian, there’s no contest.

In 2015, a staggering 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, and an additional 70,000 more suffered injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these accidents, nearly half were caused by drunk drivers. While these make up the majority of pedestrian injuries, accidents can also be caused by other driver errors.

Common causes of pedestrian-vehicle accidents include:

  • Driver intoxication
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Failing to yield to pedestrians
  • Disobeying traffic laws

While motorized vehicles are the most common cause of pedestrian injuries, there are plenty of other ways pedestrians can be harmed. Pedestrian accidents may also occur because of a failure to maintain property. Typically, this means an owner or property manager neglected to care for a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, walkway, or other area. Some accidents also happen as the result of a construction zone, whether that means the debris was hazardous or the sidewalk was not sufficiently diverted or closed.

In some cases, pedestrians are responsible for their own injuries. Carelessness or failure to abide by laws surrounding designated crosswalks and traffic signals may lead to pedestrian injuries. While pedestrians are granted the right of way in nearly all situations, they must show duty of care for their own safety. In situations where the pedestrian enters traffic, fails to use designated crosswalks, or carelessly moves in front of a vehicle, the pedestrian is not exhibiting duty of care.

Depending on the type of accident and the severity, pedestrians may suffer a variety of injuries. If struck by a car, pedestrians almost always suffer damage to the legs after hitting the bumper, followed by injury to the head due to impact with either the hood of the vehicle, or the ground.

The most common injuries to pedestrians include:

  • Head trauma
  • Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
  • Broken bones, especially to the legs
  • Lacerations or road rash
  • Chest injuries
  • Abdominal trauma
  • Pelvic injuries

If you or a loved one is struck by a car or injured in another pedestrian incident, know your legal options. Drivers and property owners alike are charged with a certain amount of care for the people around them. If the negligence or carelessness of another person caused you injury, you may have a legal right to fair compensation for the resulting damages.

Are you seeking legal representation for your personal injury case? Contact Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC today to get started on your pedestrian accident claim.