Pedestrian accidents occur throughout the United States, and they often cause victims to suffer serious bodily injury or death. Many pedestrian accidents occur when a motorist is intoxicated or engaging in distracted driving. Oftentimes a pedestrian will cause an accident when they are walking along a busy roadway or crossing an intersection. Numerous factual circumstances may be associated with pedestrian accidents.
The Most Common Injuries Victims Suffer During Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents typically cause serious bodily injuries. Unfortunately, some accident victims die due to their injuries. The following are some of the most common injuries victims suffer during pedestrian accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Severe burns
This is not a comprehensive list of the types of injuries pedestrian accident victims suffer. It is difficult to convey how vulnerable pedestrian accident victims are due to the lack of a protective barrier to absorb some of the force of impact.
It is essential that all pedestrian accident victims seek medical treatment for their injuries. Medical records will help your attorney calculate the damages amount associated with your case. Sometimes pedestrian accident victims suffer temporary or permanent disability due to the injuries they suffer during a pedestrian accident.
What to Do After Suffering Injuries During a Pedestrian Accident
Those who suffer injuries during a pedestrian accident need to make sure that they contact law enforcement officers as soon as possible after checking their own injuries. It is extremely important to have the officers create a traffic collision report which will be vital to a pedestrian accident case.
Also, take photographs of the accident scene and record any videos of the property damage and environment around the accident site. You should also seek out medical treatment as soon as possible so you can ascertain the nature of your injuries. Sometimes injuries will not produce noticeable symptoms until weeks or months after a pedestrian accident occurs.
The Types of Damages You May Claim In a Pedestrian Accident Case
It is vital that you understand the types of damages you may claim in a pedestrian accident case. Most accident victims claim general damages and special damages. However, some injured victims pursue punitive damages if the defendant engaged in conduct that was willful, wanton, or malicious.
General damages are less quantifiable than special damages and include loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Special damages are typically substantiated by a written record. Examples of special damages include medical bills, lost earnings, and property damage.
One central component of a pedestrian accident case is calculating the total damages amount. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney will determine at the outset of the case the probable total amount of the damages associated with the case. Oftentimes the general damages amount will be greater than the special damages amount.
By retaining a skilled pedestrian accident attorney you can ensure that you will have the best opportunity to seek financial compensation for your injuries. You do not have to handle every aspect of a civil lawsuit by yourself. It is necessary to strategize and plan throughout every stage of a pedestrian accident case, and having an attorney on your side will ensure that you are prepared for every challenge during civil litigation.