When a person is hit or run over by a vehicle, the damage can be severe. When the negligence of a driver causes severe injuries to a pedestrian, the driver may be liable for the resulting medical costs and other damages.
Negligent driving actions that can lead to the injury of a pedestrian include:
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield to crossing pedestrians
- Reversing without looking
- Turning right across a crosswalk without checking for pedestrians
- Speeding in residential areas or school zones
- Failing to obey traffic signals and lights
- Driving while distracted by texting, talking on a cell phone, talking to passengers, and any other distracting behaviors.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,743 pedestrians were killed in 2012 in traffic accidents and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured. On average, a pedestrian is injured by a vehicle every 7 minutes, and there is one crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours.
According to a study performed by the American Journal of Epidemiology, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash.
Children are particularly at risk because they are less aware of traffic, and due to their size, may be harder for drivers to see. When a child is hit by a car, the physical injuries can be devastating.
Pedestrians may suffer severe injuries when struck by a car including:
- Broken bones
- Road Rash and asphalt burns
- Burns
- Skull fractures
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs or fractured vertebrae
Injuries such as these can lead to financial burdens due to the cost of necessary medical treatment and the loss of household income during the victim’s recovery. Victims and their families can accumulate thousands in debt paying for hospital visits, medications, rehabilitation, and medical equipment.
Experienced Auto-Pedestrian Crash Attorney
If you or a loved one has been harmed in an auto-pedestrian accident, The Nigam Law Firm can help. The Nigam Law Firm is here to help you through this difficult situation and to help you hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
