Since the first cars made their debut on America’s roads at the turn of the 20th century, pedestrians and motorists have had to accommodate each other and share the roads. The pedestrian/motorist relationship has never been without its problems, though. The power and speed of motor vehicles created an environment in which crossing a road could lead to serious pedestrian accidents, causing injury and death.
Over the years, we’ve adapted to life with cars, and most of us don’t think twice when walking across a street, other than doing a quick, side-to-side glance to check for safety. Unfortunately, these quick checks aren’t always sufficient.
In 2013, the most recent year for which statistics were available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,735 pedestrians were killed in automobile accidents. The number of non-fatal injuries is much higher. There were an estimated 66,000 people injured in automobile-related accidents while they were walking or biking, according to NHTSA.
The majority of pedestrian accidents in 2013 occurred during evening hours, from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. local time, and approximately 69 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were men. Alcohol was a factor for either the driver or the pedestrian in nearly half (49 percent) of all fatal pedestrian accidents that year.
Children are especially vulnerable to harm in vehicle accidents. Approximately 21 percent of children (ranging in age from infancy to 14) killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians rather than passengers, according to the NHTSA.
There are many different pedestrian accident scenarios. In addition to being struck by a vehicle when crossing at a stoplight, pedestrians may be hit in any of the following scenarios:
When you come to a personal injury attorney with a potential claim, it helps to understand how a personal injury case works. As with any personal injury claim, the attorney will need to present evidence that the client was injured and that someone else was liable for the damage.
To prove injury, plaintiffs may present the following common types of evidence:
Injuries that accompany these types of accidents may depend on these factors:
Injuries may range from minor inconveniences to serious life-altering disabilities. Obviously, there is a wide range of injuries that a person can experience. While doctors may specialize in one type of injury, lawyers represent injured parties on the whole. Attorney Julie Johnson can handle a variety of claimants. Some examples follow.
Pedestrians often suffer the following injuries.
Proving that another party was at fault for your injury or the death of a loved one consists of presenting evidence from the scene as well as official records such as police reports and security camera footage (if available). Another valuable source of evidence can be obtained by working with expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists.
In some cases, car accidents involving pedestrians happen because the driver is distracted, intoxicated, or simply not being careful.
Many people who suffer injuries in pedestrian accidents suffer financial hardship because of mounting medical bills and loss of income while recovering from injuries. They also may experience emotional distress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the accident. Those who lose family members also may undergo similar losses and challenges.
Having a personal injury attorney on your side can help you recover the compensation you need to cover your expenses and move on with your life.
The Dallas Law Office of Julie Johnson understands what it takes to establish the extent of the plaintiff’s damages and the other party’s negligence. We will work with you to help you pursue compensation for injuries and loss of employment following a pedestrian accident. Contact us online or call our office today at 214-290-8001.
