Common Injuries Suffered by Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

 Posted on June 08, 2021 in Car Accidents

When car accidents occur, drivers and passengers may be injured, although they will have some protection from a vehicle’s safety systems, such as seat belts and airbags. Pedestrians have none of these forms of protection, and this means that they are likely to suffer multiple types of severe injuries if they are struck by a car, truck, or other vehicle. Victims of pedestrian accidents will want to be sure to fully document their injuries and the ways their lives have been affected, and by working with an experienced attorney, they can pursue compensation from a negligent driver who injured them.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries

The injuries a pedestrian may experience will depend on the type of vehicle that struck them, the speed the vehicle was traveling, and other factors. In many cases, the initial impact will occur when a vehicle’s bumper strike’s a person’s lower leg. This will cause the person’s body to rotate, and their head and upper body may strike the vehicle’s hood or windshield. If the vehicle is traveling at a higher speed, the person may also somersault up onto the hood or roof of the vehicle, or they may fully pass over the vehicle and strike the ground behind it. When a person is struck by a larger vehicle, such as a truck or SUV, they may be thrown forward, causing them to strike the ground or placing them in the path of other vehicles, which could result in additional injuries.

These situations can result in significant bodily trauma. The injuries suffered by a pedestrian after being struck by a motor vehicle may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, which may occur when a person strikes a vehicle’s hood or windshield or when they land on the ground.
• Broken bones, which may include fractures in the legs, arms, shoulders, ribs, or hips.
• Spine injuries, including fractured vertebrae in the backbone, whiplash affecting the neck, or compressed or severed nerves in the spinal cord. These injuries may result in partial or total paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Musculoskeletal injuries, including sprains, strains, and dislocations in joints such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, or ankles.
• Internal injuries in which major organs are damaged, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, or intestines.
• Serious lacerations leading to severe blood loss or scarring and disfigurement.

Contact Our Orland Park Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

A pedestrian accident can have a drastic impact on a person’s health, well-being, and quality of life. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you take the right steps to hold a negligent driver liable for the injuries and damages inflicted in a pedestrian accident. We will fight to make sure you are fully compensated for all of your damages, including medical expenses, loss of income while recovering from your injury or due to a permanent disability, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. Contact our Cook County pedestrian accident lawyers today at 815-723-7300 to set up your free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859736/

https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html