Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC, 2020 had the biggest ever annual increase in the rate at which motorists struck and killed pedestrians. So, what exactly drove this increase? It is believed that drunk and drugged driving, speeding, and distraction, which were rampant on U.S. roads during the COVID-19 pandemic, are some of the main things to blame for this surge. These things combined with infrastructure issues are believed to have led to approximately 6,721 deaths in 2020. According to the GHSA, this is a 4.8% increase from the 6,412 deaths reported by the State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) the year before.

When it comes to pedestrian accident injuries, hundreds of thousands of pedestrians are treated in emergency departments for injuries every year. According to the CDC, more than 135,000 pedestrians can end up in hospital because of accident-related injuries in a single year. Also, according to the CDC, pedestrians aged 65 and older are at a high risk of pedestrian accident injuries. The CDC estimates that, in 2017, pedestrians aged 65 and older accounted for 10% of all pedestrian injuries.

While knowing about the statistics is important, it’s also equally important to understand the type of injuries that occur in a pedestrian-vehicle accident. Pedestrians suffer a wide variety of crash-related injuries. Usually, the severity of the injury a pedestrian suffers depends on several factors, including their health and age, the driver’s speed, and the type of vehicle.

Below are some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries.

Head and Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and concussions, occur quite often in pedestrian-vehicle collisions. A head injury occurs after a forceful or violent blow to the head. While some head and brain injuries can be minor, others can have severe and long-lasting consequences.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries include injuries such as lacerations, bruises, sprains, and dislocations. Depending on the location of a soft tissue injury and how deep it went, this type of injury can cause severe pain and lasting effects.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can occur after a sudden traumatic blow to the spine. Unfortunately, apart from taking on huge medical bills, pedestrians who suffer spinal cord injuries after an accident often lose the ability to work and perform other daily duties and activities. This is because the spinal cord is the part of the human body that transmits signals between the brain and the body. So, when its function is disrupted because of an injury, life-changing results follow.

Fractures

Frequently, pedestrians suffer simple fractures to their legs, hands, arms, wrists, and backs in crashes involving vehicles. However, depending on several factors, a serious fracture such as a compound fracture can occur after a car hits a pedestrian. Such a fracture can be extremely painful and cause long-lasting problems.

Emotional Trauma

Not all pedestrian accident injuries are physical. Some are emotional. Sometimes, a pedestrian suffers both physical and emotional injuries. After a pedestrian accident, a victim may develop anxiety, depression, or even unplaced anger. Therefore, it’s crucial to see a medical professional after suffering emotional trauma in an accident, the same way you would see a medical professional after suffering a physical injury in an accident.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If you have been hurt in a Florida pedestrian accident, our Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you explore your legal options and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Bradenton, Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html