A pedestrian crash occurs when a motor vehicle strikes someone who is walking or jogging on the street. Pedestrian collisions occur in parking lots and at crosswalks. They also occur on the edge of rural roads all over the United States.
Sometimes, pedestrian crashes are deadly. Many other times, however, they result in severe injury. There are certain types of injuries that have a relatively strong association with pedestrian collisions. The following kinds of severe injuries are most common after a pedestrian crash.
Leg injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes someone, the force of impact can very easily do damage to their legs. Most bumpers will hit people in the thigh, possibly leading to broken bones or injuries to the joints in the way, including the knees. Broken bones in the legs can necessitate weeks away from work and surgery. Severe leg fractures could lead to amputation in the most stream cases.
Hip injuries
Taller vehicles or shorter individuals might lead to a hip injury during a pedestrian crash. In some cases, people could end up with a dislocated femur. They may have to take time off of work while they recover from their injury. Older adults past the age of 55 are at elevated risk of a hip fracture in a pedestrian crash scenario. Hip injuries can affect people in a variety of different professions and could lead to expensive treatment, possibly including surgery.
Brain injuries
Often, the force of a collision leads to them falling. They may collapse forward onto the vehicle or backward onto the pavement. Blunt-force trauma to the head can cause bleeding and bruising inside the skull. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may slowly worsen over time if people don’t receive immediate treatment. TBIs can cause symptoms ranging from memory loss and motor function issues to changes in personality and issues with sensory perception. These injuries may cost quite a bit in medical care and could also affect someone’s earning potential.
Pedestrian crashes may result in a total price tag that far exceeds what insurance will cover. Those involved in a car-pedestrian collision might need to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. As a result, seeking legal guidance promptly after a pedestrian crash is generally wise.