What Are Common Injuries In A Pedestrian Accident?

How Serious Are the Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?

The type and severity of pedestrian injuries hinge on the car’s speed at the time of the accident, the part of the body that was the point of impact, and the victim’s overall health. Victims will suffer catastrophic injuries to their upper or lower extremities, depending on which part of their body was directly hit by the car.

The most common injuries from pedestrian accidents:

• Head and brain injuries: These injuries include concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They are most often seen in children.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries occur when the body’s muscles, tendons, or ligaments experience trauma. These are most often seen in adults.
• Internal injuries: These injuries can be especially dangerous because they can be invisible to the naked eye. They include organ damage and internal bleeding, which can be fatal to the victim if not caught early.
• Spinal injuries: Spinal cord injuries damage a bundle of nerves that sends and receives signals to the brain. They can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

A collision between the pedestrian and the motor vehicle causes a primary injury. Secondary injuries follow the initial collision. They are caused by the injured pedestrian hitting the ground or other objects after being hit by the car.

For example, let’s say a pedestrian is hit by a car. The point of impact between the vehicle and her body is her back, which causes a spinal cord injury. Her spinal cord injury is considered the primary injury. After the collision, the victim is thrown into the air and hits the ground, causing a traumatic brain injury. The TBI would be classified as a secondary injury.

Common secondary injuries suffered by pedestrians are:

• Lacerations and bruising
• Broken bones and fractures
• Road rash and burns

What Are the Medical Costs for Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Ongoing medical treatment, especially for severe injuries, is extremely expensive for common pedestrian accident injuries. Most families do not have the means to accommodate their new, sudden financial obligations.

For example, spinal cord injuries can cost the victim over $1 million in the first year after the accident and over $100,000 every year after that. On average, the lifetime cost of living with a traumatic brain injury can be up to $2 million.

Besides medical treatment, there are other financial burdens to take into account. If your accident resulted in complete paralysis, you will need medical equipment, including a wheelchair. Your house may need to be completely renovated to accommodate your new situation.

If you’re a working parent whose child was hit by a car and needed around-the-clock care, you may need to quit your job to take care of your child full-time. How do you cope with the loss of your paycheck, especially while taking on new medical bills?

How Can Regan Zambri Long Help?

The Regan Zambri Long pedestrian accident lawyers can help you and your family get back on your feet. We will pursue compensation for the following damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

These damages will help offset your new expenses. Call today for a free consultation to discuss what damages you could recover from your claim.

Pedestrian Accident Victims – Who is at the Greatest Risk?

According to the National Library of Medicine, children and the elderly are at the greatest risk of being seriously injured in pedestrian accidents. Children under the age of 15, who are naturally impulsive and lack judgment, account for 30% of all pedestrian injuries in the United States.

Older adults, who may suffer from hearing loss, impaired vision, slow reflexes, and even cognitive delays, account for 16% of pedestrian fatalities.

Other risk factors include:

• Low socioeconomic status
• Pedestrian intoxication
• Living in urban areas
• High vehicle speeds
• Walking from 6 pm-midnight (when most pedestrian accidents occur)

What Are the Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Living in urban areas increases the risk of being hit by a car. Washington, DC, Baltimore, and parts of Virginia have dense populations with heavy traffic. The combination can be deadly.

Other reasons a pedestrian accident may occur are:

• Poor visibility when backing up
• Distracted driving
• Narrow streets and sidewalks
• Aggressive driving and speeding

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Unfortunately, pedestrian accident trends continue to rise:

• In 2021, Washington D.C. had 43.9% per 100,000 population of fatal pedestrian accidents (out of total traffic fatalities) – the highest in the country and over two times the national average.
• Pedestrian fatalities equaled 23% of Maryland’s total traffic fatalities in 2021.
• In 2021 alone, 7,388 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, which is a 12.5% increase from 2020.
• Alcohol involvement was reported in 49% of all fatal pedestrian accidents.
• Nearly 1 of every four pedestrians killed in a car accident were struck by hit-and-run drivers.

How Can Regan Zambri Long Help With My Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Regan Zambri Long exists to fight for people like you. Since our doors opened over two decades ago, we’ve secured millions for car accident victims. Let’s take a look at how our leading pedestrian accident lawyers will win a favorable settlement for your claim.

Here is how our lawyers at Regan Zambri Long plan to win your case:

• Determine fault: We will determine who should be held accountable for the crash. We will hold all of them responsible if multiple parties are at fault.
• Prove negligence is the most important aspect of any personal injury lawsuit. We will prove that the defendant breached his duty of care and that his negligence led to the accident.
• Gather evidence: We will scour the police reports, interview the eyewitnesses, pour over accident footage, and consult with medical experts, accident reconstruction experts, and other legal minds to ensure we have enough evidence to prove your case.
• Negotiate with insurance companies: During this process, you won’t have to speak to anyone at the insurance company. We’ll take care of that for you. We will handle all negotiations to reach a fair settlement.
• Take your case to court: If a settlement can’t be reached, we will take your case to trial.

At Regan Zambri Long, we believe everyone should have access to legal representation. That’s why we do not take a dime unless we win a settlement or verdict in your favor. You do not pay unless we win.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Pedestrian Accident?

If you lost a loved one in a tragic pedestrian accident, our attorneys will help you file a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. Most recently, we secured $77 million for a client in a wrongful death case. We recovered damages for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost wages, and loss of consortium. Call today to speak with a compassionate pedestrian accident wrongful death lawyer who can help your family financially and emotionally recover from your loss.

Call Regan Zambri Long for a Free Consultation Today

Dealing with physical and emotional pain after an accident is overwhelming. Add the stress of piling medical bills, property damage, and lost paychecks. Even the strongest person can be paralyzed with fear of the future.

The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can take the burden of the claims process off your shoulders. While you focus on a full recovery, we will focus on a fair settlement to secure maximum compensation. You don’t have to do this alone. Call today.