Typically, car accidents can cause serious injuries to all the parties involved. But the injuries become more catastrophic if you’re a victim of a pedestrian accident.
Whether you’re walking on the sidewalk or crossing the street, you can get severely injured by a negligent driver. That’s because you’re exposed and you don’t have the opportunity to be enclosed inside a vehicle.
For this reason, it’s essential to be aware of the injuries that can be suffered so you can do your best to stay safe while you’re on the road. Below are six common injuries in pedestrian accidents:
- Head Injuries
These are the common injuries among pedestrians. For example, if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and got hit, causing you to pummel to the ground or to the car. When this happens, your head would take the impact, and that forceful blow would cause you a head injury.
Compared to those who are driving their vehicles, pedestrians who are walking down or crossing the street have no head protection over them. As such, you may end up sustaining fractures in the skull, lacerations, bumps, and, in extreme cases, a severe brain injury.
Because of this, it is essential to consult a dedicated professional, such as a neurologist, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment for your brain injury. A neurologist is a medical doctor specializing in treating nervous system disorders, including the brain. They will assess the extent of the injury by ordering imaging tests to better understand the affected area. Once the injury is determined, they will develop a treatment plan tailored to your condition.
However, it’s important to note that the treatment for brain/head injuries can vary depending on the extent and severity of the injury. In some cases, aggressive treatment, such as surgery and long-term rehabilitation, may be necessary.
- Broken Or Fractured Bones
Another pedestrian injury that you should watch out for is broken or fractured bones. When the hood or bumper of the motor vehicle hammers your body, specifically your arms, legs, ribs, and many more, it can result in broken bones in these areas. Just like other bodily injuries, sustaining broken or fractured bones as a result of pedestrian accidents can be very painful. It can even cause long-term health conditions.
Moreover, depending on the extent of your injuries, amputation may be possible. When this happens, you may need long-term treatment and have to stop working for good, which may impact your family’s finances. Common treatments for broken or fractured bones include wearing splints or casts for an extended period, undergoing physical therapy, and receiving long-term rehabilitative care.
Luckily, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for all your losses. Thus, in doing so, you may need the assistance of a pedestrian accident lawyer to help you navigate this whole process and get you compensated in the end.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
When you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, there’s a high chance you’ll get thrown in the air due to the impact of the motor vehicle. This situation can lead to a spinal injury.
Generally, most spinal injuries can come with some serious complications, including crushed vertebrae, paralysis, or death. Also, when you sustained this kind of injury, you may have to deal with long-term and life-altering care.
On the other hand, common treatments for spinal cord injuries may include surgery to repair any damage, medications to manage pain, physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion, and the use of adaptive equipment like braces and wheelchairs to promote independent living during the recovery process.
- Organ Damage
Getting involved in a pedestrian accident can also cause organ damage as an injury. Given the forceful or high impact of the motor vehicle during the accident, it may damage your organs and cause internal injuries.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may have to undergo emergency surgery and other treatments due to potential complications and disability.
In addition, there are various treatments available for other conditions and complications that may arise. These may include medications to treat inflammation and infections that can harm organs, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes to minimize the risk of further organ problems.
- Soft Tissue Damage
When you’re forcefully hit with a motor vehicle as a pedestrian, the injuries can be very serious, some of which can include soft tissue damage. Typically, there are plenty of injuries that can fall under soft tissue damage, including dislocations, sprains, bruises, lacerations, and many more.
Although this kind of injury can heal on its own, the ones coming from a pedestrian accident may be too severe that they can cause pain and can keep you from doing your everyday activities. Also, when you sustained soft tissue damage and it’s left untreated, it can cause further health issues, which can have a significant impact on your overall well-being.
Furthermore, treatments such as surgery, pain medication, and physical therapy may be necessary to address soft tissue damage. These treatments aim to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and improve functionality.
- Emotional Trauma
When it comes to road accidents, not all injuries sustained are physical in nature. Sometimes, it may have something to do with your emotional state. Since the whole experience of being stuck in a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming and traumatic, then it may cause you a long-lasting emotional trauma.
When this happens, you may experience a lot of reactions, including agitation, anxiety, confusion, sadness, dissociation, and many more. In such a case, you may have to look for ways to reduce the anxiety and stress and even seek professional assistance to help you cope with the emotional trauma that the accident caused you.
Common treatments for emotional trauma that you may want to consider include talk therapy, support groups, medications, and self-care activities.
Bottom Line
Indeed, getting injured in a pedestrian accident is never easy. Depending on the circumstances, you may end up sustaining one or two of the above-mentioned injuries. However, dealing with these injuries can be a frustrating experience. With all the medications, treatment plans, and long-term care you may need, you have to be financially ready for what’s waiting for you during the recovery.
Luckily, when you’re involved in an accident, you may qualify to file a personal injury claim with the help of an experienced lawyer. By doing this, you can increase your chances of receiving the right amount of compensation for all your losses.
