While it may seem like the healthier choice to take a walk to get to your destination, think again; pedestrian fatalities make up about 20% of traffic fatalities, with roughly 7,500 pedestrians being killed each year. Pedestrian deaths are most commonly due to a driver’s negligence. This may be due to the driver being distracted, speeding, driving under the influence, failing to yield right-of-way, or having visibility issues. In other situations, the pedestrian may have had no safe place to walk, being forced to walk on the side of the street, exposing them to adjacent traffic.
The injuries that pedestrians experience when struck by a motor vehicle can be life-altering, snatching away the life they once knew. If you have recently been injured while walking or jogging, the pedestrian accident attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers in Holland, PA, would like to speak with you.
If you are looking for aggressive representation to defend your interests, look no further than our legal team.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians often experience catastrophic injuries, which often result in long-term health effects and permanent disability. Some of which include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by any strike, bump, or blow to the head. Given the vulnerability of pedestrians to injury, TBIs are common. The disruption in normal brain function can cause a person to experience cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms include confusion, trouble understanding speech, mood swings, and depression and/or anxiety. Immediate treatment is key to avoiding long-term consequences.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that run from the brain down to the tailbone. These nerves send signals to the rest of the body, controlling movement, allowing us to feel hot and cold, and controlling our bladder and bowels. Damage to the spinal cord interferes with these signals, preventing individuals from living productive lives. Damage can occur to the:
- Cervical spine (neck)
- Thoracic spine (chest)
- Lumbar spine (lower back)
- Sacral spine (pelvis)
The severity and extent of impairment will depend on the site of injury. Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury include numbness, tingling, inability to regulate body temperature, loss of sensation, and paralysis.
Internal Bleeding
Being hit by a motor vehicle at high speed can cause blood vessels to rupture, causing internal bleeding. Whereas some internal bleeding may be apparent (with blood leaking from an orifice or being present in stool), others may be less obvious. When internal bleeding is not apparent, symptoms may still present, including dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and increased heart rate. Sadly, by the time the bleeding is detected, it may already be too late. Given the subtle symptoms, a person may ignore signs of internal bleeding. For this reason, bleeding is often called the “silent killer.”
Pedestrian Laws in PA
Pennsylvania law permits pedestrians the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks. So, if a pedestrian is crossing at an unmarked crosswalk and there is no traffic light, then the motor vehicle driver must yield to the pedestrian. However, pedestrians are not permitted to leave a curb or place of safety and place themselves in harm’s way by walking or running into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Proving a Driver’s Negligence
All road users have a duty to use reasonable care to ensure others’ safety. This particularly applies to drivers, who must keep their eyes and attention on the road ahead. Failure to follow traffic regulations and rules is a breach of a driver’s duty of care. When a pedestrian suffers harm due to another person’s negligence, they may seek damages or compensation for their losses.
In a pedestrian accident, damages often include lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. If you are interested in learning more about your rights under the law, you should speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Speak with a Holland Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Being hit as a pedestrian can be shocking, with an injury putting you at risk of long-term disability. At HGSK Injury Lawyers, we understand the agony that comes with being harmed by another person’s lack of judgment. Our Holland pedestrian accident lawyers have secured the financial support injured victims need to tend to their welfare.
To learn how we can be of assistance to you, feel free to contact us online or by calling (267) 551-8782 today.