Car Accident Lawyers

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Were you hit by a car? If so, seeking compensation for injuries can help you avoid the financial devastation that these types of accidents can cause you. Pedestrian car accident injuries can be so devastating because not only is there the potential for serious injuries but there can also be financial and emotional damages that can significantly impact your life. If you were in a pedestrian-car accident, you need a pedestrian accident attorney on your side. Read on to learn more about pedestrian-car accidents.

Most Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians can end up suffering from major and potentially life-threatening injuries as a result of being hit by a car. There are different factors that will impact just how severe these injuries are such as how fast the driver was going, your age, how healthy you are, and the type of vehicle that you were hit with. Some of the most common injuries suffered in these types of accidents include:

• Head Trauma

Traumatic brain injuries can vary between very minor and deadly. This means that anytime an accident like this happens and there is any head trauma, you need to be incredibly cautious.

• Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can also be potentially life-threatening. Any damage to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences and if they are severe enough, a person can pass away.

• Internal Injuries

Injuries like brain bleeds, rib fractures, and internal bleeding can be very serious injuries caused by a pedestrian accident.

• Wrongful Death

In severe pedestrian-car accidents, the victim could end up dead. If this happens, you may have a claim for wrongful death.

• Pelvic Injuries

There are at least 4 different pelvic injuries that can occur with a pedestrian accident. These typically happen because the person hits the hood of the car.

• Lacerations

Some lacerations are minor injuries but in severe cases, lacerations can lead to permanent scarring that can impact you for a long time.

• Fractures

Fractures are the most common injuries suffered by pedestrians in pedestrian accidents.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car that’s only going about 15 MPH, there likely won’t be severe injuries suffered by the pedestrian. However, anything going must faster than that can leave a devastating impact in the wake of the accident.

Different Types of Pedestrian Accidents

By definition, a pedestrian accident is between a car, motorcycle, or truck and a person who isn’t in a vehicle. In Florida, this also applies to bicycles. The most common types of these accidents include:

• “Loss of Control” Accidents

These types of accidents occur when the driver loses control over the vehicle, sideswiping the pedestrians who are in the crosswalk or on the sidewalk. In many cases, this can result in the pedestrian being run over and then trapped underneath the car. This could also lead to the pedestrian being trapped between the car and another object, such as a building or another car. These are considered to be the most dangerous of pedestrian accidents.

• Parking Lot Accidents

Also known as “back-over accidents”, this occurs when a person is backing out of a parking spot and hits a pedestrian. In many cases, this is caused by the vehicles on either side blocking the sightlines of the driver.

• Crosswalk Accidents

If a pedestrian is legally crossing in the crosswalk, this counts as a crosswalk accident. Often times this is because a car isn’t paying attention or doesn’t give the pedestrian the right of way.

There are many cases where these types of accidents end up becoming hit and run cases as well, especially if the pedestrian seems to be severely injured. However, as scary as this might be for the driver they are required to stay on-site and wait for the emergency vehicles. By doing so, you turn an accident into a felony hit and run.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident

If you have been a victim of a pedestrian accident, you have to be aware that the next things that you do can have a significant impact on your case. To ensure the best possible outcomes for your case, you need to take these steps. It starts by seeking medical attention after your accident, even if you don’t feel like you’ve been hurt that badly. First of all, not seeking medical attention will show the person that hit you that you weren’t really that injured and this could be used against you in your case. Secondly, you may have injuries that are more severe than you think. This is also important because then you can have documentation about your injuries and any medical treatment that you require/will require in the future.

You should also be sure that you record as much information as possible about the accident. This means getting information from the witnesses, getting information about the car and license plate, and even taking pictures of the scene if possible. You should also be sure to record information from your point of view of the accident. It can be easy to forget these details later on so having them on record while they are fresh in your mind can be a great help to your case.

The sooner that you can get a lawyer involved, the sooner you can get a resolution to your case. The lawyer will take a close look at all of the evidence and often perform an investigation of their own to make sure that they have all of the evidence necessary to give you a proper fight in court. It is also important to contact a lawyer right away because there is a statute of limitations in the state of Florida, meaning that you could miss out on the compensation that you deserve if you wait too long to get started on the process.

The pedestrian accident attorney will discuss what your rights are during these cases and walk you through what to expect during this process. The goal is to get you the best settlement to give you the compensation that you deserve. However, if this is not possible the attorney will have all of the information that they need to take your case to court. The insurance company and the other person will have a layer that is there fighting for their best interests, you need a lawyer that is willing to do the same for you. A lawyer can be an essential asset in your fight to get your damages rightfully compensated.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Our firm has the knowledge and experience that you need to get the best outcomes for your case. Our team is here to fight for our clients, listening to their case, and working hard to get the best results possible. There’s never any guarantee in these cases, but with the right legal team on your side, your chances of winning your case are significantly increased. You need a lawyer that has your best interests at heart, which helps them fight even harder for you. If you were a victim of a pedestrian-car accident and want to know your rights, contact us today to see how we can help you.