Pedestrian accidents often cause significant or fatal injuries. Various factors can impact the extent of the pedestrian’s injuries, such as the speed and type of vehicle, and the manner in which the individual was struck. Although injuries can differ from one accident to another, some tend to be more common.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Children tend to sustain head and neck injuries more often than adults because of their size. Musculoskeletal injuries are common, with damage occurring to nerves, bones, tendons, muscles and blood vessels. Injuries to the abdomen and chest (such as the rib cage) are another type of injury.
Injuries in adult pedestrians tend to occur first to the legs when struck by the vehicle (of course, this depends on the height of the vehicle). These injuries can include fractures not only in the lower extremities, but also the pelvis. Damage to ligaments in the knee is also common.
Depending on the force and impact, the collision can send the person to the pavement, into an object (such as a building), onto the hood of the car or into the windshield. As a result, facial, neck and head injuries often occur in adult pedestrians. These injuries can cause a concussion or a severe traumatic brain injury.
Injuries that occur to the lower extremities can result in long-term disability that affects mobility. However, injuries to the head, neck and spinal column can be life-threatening.
Factors That May Impact the Types of Injuries Sustained in a Pedestrian Accident
The following are some of the factors that could impact both the type and severity of a pedestrian’s injuries:
- weight/height of pedestrian;
- weight/type of vehicle (passenger car, motorcycles, large trucks, etc.);
- height of bumper;
- age of pedestrian (very young and older pedestrians may be most susceptible to severe injuries); and
- speed of vehicle.
The chance of being seriously injured or killed is greatly dependent on the vehicle’s speed. Those who are struck by a vehicle traveling 15 mph or less aren’t very likely to sustain fatal injuries. As speed increases, so does the risk of suffering severe injuries or death.
Even someone’s health could impact the severity of injuries. For instance, an older adult who has a bone disorder is more likely to suffer significant broken bones than a healthy, younger individual with healthy bones.
Contacting an Attorney after a Pedestrian Accident
With the potential to sustain permanent damage and long-term disability, it’s important to seek legal counsel if involved in a pedestrian crash. When the victim of an accident or the family of a loved one seeks legal help, an attorney can help determine rights and options to pursue legal action.
Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC to learn more about the options that may be available. Give us a call at 215-642-2335 to set up a consultation to get started on your case today!
