Pedestrians can suffer traumatic and life-threatening injuries in a traffic accident. Individuals hit by a vehicle have no protection from the impact. Unlike the driver of the vehicle, a pedestrian does not have a metal frame and airbags to prevent injuries in a collision. Therefore, most pedestrian accident claims involve substantial damages, including high medical bills and significant loss of income. A Hawaii personal injury attorney helps pedestrians file claims and seek full compensation of damages from negligent and careless drivers.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Many of the injuries pedestrians sustain in a traffic accident resulting in life-threatening conditions or permanent impairments. Some of the more common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Broken Bones — Some victims sustain multiple broken bones from the impact and from hitting the pavement or another object. A broken back may result in partial or complete paralysis if the spinal cord is severed or damaged.
- Head and Brain Injuries — Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are also common in pedestrian accidents. The person’s head hits the vehicle or the road during the crash. However, a pedestrian can sustain a brain injury even though the head does not strike an object. The force of impact can cause the head to whip back and forth, much like whiplash, causing the brain to be violently thrown against the skull in multiple areas.
- Internal Bleeding and Damage to Internal Organs — Some pedestrians may be pinned underneath a vehicle causing internal bleeding or damage to internal organs. However, a vehicle does not need to pin or run over a pedestrian for the pedestrian to experience internal bleeding or damage to internal organs. The force of the impact itself can cause these injuries.
- Cuts and Lacerations — Broken glass and other sharp objects can result in deep cuts and lacerations for a pedestrian. Some injuries can result in permanent scarring or disfigurement.
The above injuries are not the only ones a pedestrian may sustain. Even if a pedestrian does not believe they have a serious injury, the individual should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not present symptoms for several hours or days following a pedestrian accident. It is important to seek medical care for health reasons, but also to document injuries for a pedestrian accident claim. A delay in medical care could hurt an injury claim.
More Pedestrians Died in Hawaii Than Automobile Passengers in 2018
Tragically, 43 pedestrians lost their lives because of automobile accidents in Hawaii in 2018, an increase from 15 pedestrian deaths in 2017. The number of pedestrian fatalities was higher for 2018 than the number of vehicle occupants killed in traffic accidents. Thirty-eight people died in traffic accidents in 2018 as drivers or passengers in vehicles.
These statistics highlight the dangers pedestrians face while walking, jogging, or crossing roads in Hawaii. Pedestrians should take precautions to protect themselves, such as walking in groups, crossing at intersections, and wearing bright clothing when walking. However, drivers must also treat pedestrian safety seriously. Distracted drivers cause many of the pedestrian accidents that occur in the United States each year. When a driver is negligent or careless, a pedestrian can die.
Contact a Hawaii Personal Injury Attorney for Help
If you were in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. A Hawaii personal injury attorney can help you with your claim by investigating the crash, gathering evidence to prove fault, filing an insurance claim, and working with the insurance provider to arrive at a fair and just settlement amount for your injury claim. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Cummings Law today. You will be glad you did.
