Walking is a basic part of our daily lives but can sometimes be dangerous. Every year, many people are hurt in accidents while walking on streets or sidewalks, and these accidents can change lives in big ways.
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents
When a car hits someone who is walking, it can cause many types of injuries. Some might be small, like cuts and bruises. Others can be very serious and change a person’s life forever. Here are some common injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These are injuries to the brain. They can happen if you hit your head during the accident. TBIs can cause problems with thinking, moving, or even change your personality.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries affect the nerves in your back. They can cause pain, make it hard to move, or even lead to paralysis, which means not being able to move parts of your body.
- Broken bones: The force of a car hitting you can break bones in your body. Common breaks are in the legs, arms, hips, or ribs.
- Internal injuries: Sometimes, organs inside your body can get hurt. This might not be visible from the outside, but it can be very dangerous.
- Lacerations and abrasions: These are cuts and scrapes on your skin. They can be small or large and might leave scars.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Most of the time, pedestrian accidents happen because drivers aren’t being careful enough. Here are some common reasons:
- Distracted driving: This is when drivers aren’t paying full attention to the road. They might be looking at their phone, eating, or talking to passengers.
- Impaired driving: This means driving while drunk or on drugs. It makes it hard for drivers to react quickly or make good decisions.
- Speeding: When drivers go too fast, they might not be able to stop in time if a pedestrian is crossing the road.
- Failure to yield: Sometimes drivers don’t stop when they’re supposed to, like at crosswalks or when turning at intersections.
- Poor visibility: It can be hard for drivers to see pedestrians when it’s dark, foggy, or raining heavily.
- Unsafe road design: Sometimes, the way roads are built makes it dangerous for people to walk. This could be because of bad lighting, missing sidewalks, or confusing signs.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you get hit by a car while walking, here are important steps to take:
- Seek medical attention: Your health comes first. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor. Some injuries might not show up right away.
- Call the police: Having a police report can be very helpful later. It’s an official record of what happened.
- Gather evidence: If you can, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage. This can help prove what happened.
- Obtain witness information: If anyone saw the accident, get their names and contact information. Their story can help support yours.
- Notify your insurance company: Let your insurance know about the accident, but be careful about what you say. Don’t admit fault.
- Consult with an attorney: Talking to a lawyer who knows about these kinds of accidents can help you understand your rights and what to do next.
The Role of a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Getting assistance from pedestrian accident lawyers can be very helpful after an accident. Here’s how they can help:
- Investigating the accident: Lawyers can look into what happened more deeply. They might find evidence you didn’t know about.
- Negotiating with the insurance company: Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. A lawyer can help you get a fair amount.
- Filing a lawsuit: If needed, a lawyer can help you take your case to court.
- Representing you in court: If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will speak for you and present your case to the judge or jury.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries
If you’re hurt in a pedestrian accident, you might be able to get money to help with your damages. This can include:
- Medical expenses: Money to pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, medicines, and any future medical care you might need.
- Lost wages: If you had to miss work because of your injuries, you could get money to cover the pay you lost.
- Pain and suffering: This is money for the physical pain and emotional stress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries stop you from doing things you used to enjoy, you might get compensation for this.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, if the driver was really careless, you might get extra money as a punishment to them.
Proving Liability in a Pedestrian Accident Case
To get compensation, you need to show that the driver was at fault. This means proving:
- Duty of care: All drivers have a responsibility to be careful and follow traffic laws to avoid hurting others.
- Breach of duty: You need to show that the driver didn’t fulfill this responsibility. For example, they might have been speeding or not paying attention.
- Causation: You must prove that the driver’s careless behavior directly caused your injuries.
Tips for Pedestrians to Stay Safe
While drivers should always be careful, there are things you can do to stay safer when walking:
- Be visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, and carry a flashlight when it’s dark.
- Use crosswalks: Always cross the street at marked crosswalks when possible. This is where drivers expect to see pedestrians.
- Obey traffic signals: Follow traffic lights and signs. Don’t cross when the signal says not to.
- Make eye contact with drivers: Before crossing, try to make sure drivers see you by looking at them directly.
- Avoid distractions: Don’t look at your phone or wear headphones while walking near traffic. Stay alert.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Look out for cars turning or backing up.
- Walk-facing traffic: If there’s no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing oncoming cars. This helps you see danger coming.
Conclusion
Being in a pedestrian accident can be scary and confusing. It’s important to know what to do if it happens to you. Remember to get medical help right away, gather information about the accident, and consider talking to a lawyer who specializes in these cases. They can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
While we can’t prevent all accidents, being careful and aware can help reduce the risk. By following safety tips and understanding what to do if an accident happens, you can be better prepared. Your health and safety are the most important things. If you’re ever in doubt after an accident, don’t hesitate to seek help from medical professionals and legal experts.
