You may not feel like you are in danger when you are walking down the street, but as a pedestrian, you are vulnerable to a variety of accidents and injuries. Because pedestrians have little to no protection, if they fall, get hit by a car, or something falls on them, they could be seriously harmed both physically and emotionally. Understanding the types of injuries that pedestrians commonly sustain can help protect you and your legal rights. Continue reading and speak with a Corpus Christi, Texas pedestrian accident lawyer for more information and legal assistance today.
Who is Considered a Pedestrian?
Before determining the types of injuries pedestrians sustain, it is important to understand what a pedestrian is and when you are considered one. A pedestrian is generally anyone who is on foot and walking in a public place like a sidewalk, crosswalk, or street. This can include people walking, running, pushing a stroller, or using a wheelchair or walker.
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to accidents, especially ones involving a vehicle, because they do not have the protection of the body of a car or airbags deploying.
What Injuries Do Pedestrians Commonly Sustain?
The types of injuries that pedestrians sustain most often depend on the type of accident in which they are involved. Being struck by a motor vehicle will generally yield much more severe injuries than a pedestrian slipping and falling on the sidewalk, for example.
Regardless of the type of accident, however, below are some of the most common injuries sustained by pedestrians.
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries like concussions, skull fractures, and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Soft tissue damage such as sprains, strains, tears, dislocations, lacerations, and contusions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries like damage to organs or internal bleeding
- Psychological and emotional injuries like PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, and more
These injuries can range from extremely minor to extremely severe, depending on the details of the accident. It is important to understand how to prevent an accident like this from taking place.
How Can I Prevent a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accidents and injuries can be severe, but there are ways to reduce the risk of an unfortunate incident. Drivers, pedestrians, and the local government can contribute by focusing on awareness about pedestrian safety, enforcing traffic laws, encouraging pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, keeping sidewalks clear and safe, and more.
Drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving on local roads, slow down in intersections, yield the right of way, and abide by all traffic laws. Pedestrians should also take precautions by refraining from jaywalking, looking both ways before crossing the street, avoiding walking in the street when a sidewalk is available, wearing easily visible clothing, and avoiding distractions.
Local governments can also promote pedestrian safety by doing inspections and upkeep of public sidewalks, adding crosswalks and walkways, hiring crossing guards, and overall prioritizing public safety.
To learn more about your legal rights and options after a pedestrian accident, reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
