When a pedestrian is hit by a car, they very seldom have the advantage. The car is larger and it’s moving faster. Even a car moving at the relatively slow speed of 10 mph can do serious irreversible damage to a defenseless pedestrian.
While the pedestrian has a duty to obey traffic signals and traffic laws, so does the car. Furthermore, the car has a duty to attempt to avoid the pedestrian.
That is the case even when the pedestrian is jaywalking or committing some other violation. In that event, the illegal actions of the pedestrian do not negate either the illegal actions of the driver nor their duty to avoid the pedestrian.
Even pedestrians who are partially at fault for an accident can collect a major settlement or jury award.
The reason for that is due to the fact that pedestrians suffer extensive injuries in collisions with cars. Some of those injuries can change a person’s life forever.
Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury
The term “traumatic brain injury” is generic enough to encompass a wide array of head injuries that vary in severity. But more often than not pedestrians will suffer from concussions at the very least. In very bad scenarios they can suffer permanent brain damage that compromises their ability to do their jobs, maintain employment, or experience a full range of emotions. Damage to certain parts of the brain can be fatal.
In addition, the brain can suffer damage from swelling or bleed internally.
Spine and Neck Injuries
Depending on how a pedestrian is hit, the chances that they suffer serious damage to their spine or neck are not negligible. From these, permanent paralysis can result. This can force major changes to a person’s line of work.
If they depended on their ability to stand in order to do their job, then they will need to find a new line of work. Not only would they be entitled to collect on their loss of income, but they could also collect on training necessary to enter a new field of employment.
In the most severe cases, the paralysis is lifelong and leaves the injured party without the use of either their arms or legs. These individuals require 24-hour care. They are entitled to collect damages to pay for that care.
Bone Fractures in Pedestrian Accidents
Bone fractures are among the most common pedestrian accident injuries due to the sheer force of impact when a vehicle strikes the human body. Pedestrians lack the protection that vehicle occupants have, making them highly vulnerable to blunt-force trauma.
Fractures can occur in nearly any part of the body, but are especially common in:
- Lower extremities: Legs, hips, and pelvis often absorb the initial impact.
- Upper limbs: Wrists, arms, and shoulders can break during a fall or when bracing for impact.
- Skull fractures: Particularly dangerous, these may lead to traumatic brain injuries if the head strikes the ground or vehicle.
Types of fractures include:
- Simple fractures (clean breaks without piercing the skin)
- Compound fractures (where the bone breaks through the skin)
- Comminuted fractures (bone shattered into multiple pieces)
- Displaced fractures (where bones are misaligned and may require surgical realignment)
Treatment may involve casting, surgical interventions such as internal fixation, and long-term physical therapy. These injuries can lead to lasting mobility challenges, especially in older adults.
Internal and Soft Tissue Injuries
In addition to visible trauma, pedestrian accident victims often suffer from internal and soft tissue injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
Internal Injuries
- Internal bleeding can occur in the chest or abdomen, posing life-threatening risks if not treated promptly.
- Organ damage, such as ruptured spleens, liver lacerations, or kidney trauma, may require surgical repair or intensive monitoring.
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) can result from blunt chest trauma.
Soft Tissue Injuries
- Lacerations from broken glass, car parts, or pavement may require stitches or plastic surgery.
- Contusions (deep bruising) are common, particularly in the thighs and torso.
- Sprains and strains, especially in ankles, knees, and wrists, may limit function and require rehabilitation.
Prompt medical evaluation is critical, as internal injuries can go unnoticed in the chaotic aftermath of an accident, yet can have serious or even fatal consequences if untreated.
Risk Factors for Pedestrian Accidents
Several factors significantly increase the likelihood and severity of pedestrian accident injuries, many of which are preventable with better planning and behavior.
- Vehicle Speed: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian struck at 40 mph has an 85% risk of death, compared to just 5% at 20 mph. Speed is directly correlated with injury severity.
- Location: Accidents are more common in urban areas, intersections, and non-intersection locations without crosswalks. Poor lighting and high traffic volumes compound the danger.
- Time of Day: The CDC reports that most pedestrian deaths occur at night, in poorly lit conditions.
- Alcohol Involvement: Approximately 47% of fatal pedestrian crashes involve alcohol, either on the part of the driver or the pedestrian (NHTSA, 2022).
By understanding these factors, communities can better implement targeted prevention measures.
Strategies for Preventing Pedestrian Accidents
Preventing pedestrian accidents—and minimizing the severity of injuries when they do occur—requires a coordinated public safety effort.
Public Health and Urban Planning
- Use of crash data and pedestrian movement analysis helps cities identify high-risk areas.
- Implementing traffic calming designs, such as raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian islands, reduces speed and increases visibility.
Policy Measures
- Enforcing lower speed limits in pedestrian-heavy zones is critical. A small decrease in speed can vastly reduce injury severity.
- Campaigns to reduce impaired driving, such as increased checkpoints and ignition interlock programs, directly lower accident rates.
Education and Driver Awareness
- Public education on sharing the road with pedestrians, especially in school zones and residential neighborhoods, helps reinforce vigilance.
- Pedestrian visibility programs, including reflective gear and enhanced street lighting, can reduce nighttime accidents.
Educational Resources for Pedestrian Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, understanding your rights and options is crucial to protecting your health and securing fair compensation.
Legal Guides and Support Materials
- Victims should review state-specific resources on personal injury laws, such as California’s comparative negligence rule, which may affect compensation.
- Many personal injury firms, including ours, offer free consultations to explain the claims process and assess the strength of your case.
Medical and Psychological Resources
- Support groups and counseling services can help victims process trauma and adjust to changes in mobility or independence.
- Local hospitals often offer rehabilitation programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and trauma-informed care.
Key Questions Covered in Legal Resources:
- Who pays for my medical bills?
- What compensation can I expect for pain and suffering?
- What if I was partially at fault?
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a pedestrian-car accident, you are entitled to collect damages. Call the personal injury attorneys at Beliz Law Firm at (562) 452-3772 or contact us online and we can begin building your case right away.
Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
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