Being struck by a vehicle in a pedestrian accident can cause catastrophic injuries. Many accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and other serious injuries with long-term side effects. Victims may be unable to return to work and require extensive medical treatment.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a Dallas pedestrian accent, it’s important that you reach out to an attorney. You have limited time to pursue compensation for your injury. Your attorney can begin an investigation and develop a legal strategy sooner. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Although a pedestrian accident can happen at any time, it may occur at night in cities at non-intersections. As with other types of car accidents, pedestrian accidents are frequently caused by negligence, intoxicated drivers, and recklessness to recover compensation for your injuries. You will need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. Below are some of the most common types of negligence that cause preventable pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian Accidents Due to Negligent Turns
When a motor starts trying to turn left, they’re usually focused on oncoming vehicle traffic. They may overlook a pedestrian on foot crossing at an intersection. In many left-turn pedestrian accident cases, the driver violates the pedestrian’s right of way. Similarly, when a driver turns right, he or she must yield to pedestrians who have the right of way. Failure to do so can result in a driver striking a pedestrian who’s entered a roadway or crosswalk.
Distracted Driving
Drivers are more distracted than ever. They may be distracted by their cell phones, other electronic devices, or by talking to passengers. In other cases, a driver is simply staring out the window.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Anytime a driver is speeding, she will have less time to slow down and stop to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. Due to the force of the collision, many pedestrians who a speeding driver injures are more likely to suffer catastrophic or life-threatening injuries. Aggressive driving can also be dangerous because drivers focus more on road rage than checking for pedestrians and avoiding collisions.
Driving While Intoxicated
Many accidents involving pedestrians involve the use of alcohol or drugs. Intoxicated drivers have a slower reaction time and are limited in their ability to think quickly to prevent an accident. They may more likely swerve in and out of traffic lanes. They may even jump the curb and collide with a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
Injuries Caused By Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians usually do not have any safety gear when walking in public. They don’t even have a bicycle helmet to protect them. As a result, when pedestrians are struck by heavy, large vehicles, they can sustain catastrophic injuries. The vehicle’s front end sometimes crushes a pedestrian’s lower limbs. In other cases, the vehicle might roll over the pedestrian, causing internal organ damage and trauma. While pedestrian accidents can cause nearly any type of injury, some of the most common include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Bone fractures
- Brains and tears
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries that may lead to full or partial paralysis
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
What to Do After Being Injured in Pedestrian Accidents
The steps you take after the accident can help or hurt your claim for compensation. The first thing you should do is call 911 and request an ambulance and a police officer. The police officer will be able to interview witnesses and make observations about the accident scene. He or she will write a police report that can be helpful should you file a claim for compensation. We recommend receiving medical treatment at the hospital or from your doctor. If the paramedic suggests you go to the hospital, you should follow his or her advice.
A delay in medical treatment for your injuries could hurt your claim. The insurance company or defendant may claim that your injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the pedestrian accident. You should keep all your medical documentation and a journal related to your pain and injuries. Write down the days you’ve missed from work, your pain levels, and any other activities you can no longer participate in because of your injuries. Do not post about your accident on social media or provide the insurance company a recorded statement before talking to your attorney.
Proving Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
Whether you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit, you’ll need to prove liability. There may be one or more parties responsible for your injuries. The driver of the car or truck that struck you may be liable. In some cases, the party responsible for maintaining the parking garage or sidewalk where the accident occurred.
The negligent driver’s employer may be liable for the accident if the employer engaged in negligent hiring. When you work with an attorney, your attorney can analyze the facts of your case and help you understand whether you’re entitled to compensation and who is at fault.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Unfortunately, many pedestrians who are involved in car accidents suffer fatal injuries. Many who die from their injuries are children, the elderly, and intoxicated pedestrians. If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t his or her fault, you might have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. While nothing can bring your loved one back, a wrongful death lawsuit allows you to hold the wrongdoer accountable and obtain the compensation that can help your family move forward.
Contact an Experienced Dallas Personal Injury Attorney
If you or your loved one have been injured in a pedestrian car accident in Dallas, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn more about your rights.