Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that roughly one pedestrian dies every 88 minutes in the United States. Those who survive often suffer serious and catastrophic injuries, mainly because there’s nothing to shield a pedestrian from the force of impact in a collision.
Were you hurt in a pedestrian accident in Sacramento? You could be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses through a California personal injury claim. Call or contact a skilled pedestrian accident attorney at Demas Law Group, P.C. for a free case review.
Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sacramento
Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, particularly when they are caused by negligent or aggressive drivers who aren’t watching out for people on foot. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving: When a driver takes their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or focus off the task of driving, terrible accidents can occur. Some common driver distractions include texting, cell phone use, talking to passengers, reaching for objects inside the car, eating and drinking, and adjusting the radio or air conditioning.
- Driving too fast: Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles and less likely to have enough time to stop if they encounter a pedestrian in the road. Because speed increases the violence of impact in a collision, pedestrians often suffer fatal injuries.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Intoxicated drivers have delayed reaction times, reduced awareness, and impaired motor skills. The consequences can be catastrophic for pedestrians.
- Failure to stop or yield – Impatient drivers who roll through stop signs, ignore traffic signals, and fail to yield the right-of-way to crossing pedestrians can cause devastating collisions.
- Low visibility: Hazardous conditions such as snow, rain, sleet, and fog may make it difficult for motorists to see the road. Driving at dusk or dawn also limits visibility for drivers, increasing the chances of a serious pedestrian accident.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Motorists enjoy many safety features that protect them in the event of a collision. Pedestrians don’t have the luxury of seat belts, airbags, and other safety features to safeguard them when a crash occurs, which is why their injuries are often so severe. The most common types of pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from a mild concussion to life-threatening damage, such as massive swelling and bleeding. TBIs can also affect memory, personality, reasoning, and emotion. Many TBIs require emergency medical care and hospitalization. Pedestrians with catastrophic brain injuries may live with lifelong disabilities and require round-the-clock care.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord transmits vital signals to all parts of the body. If the spinal cord is severed, permanent paralysis may occur anywhere below the site of the injury. A spinal cord injury can subject victims to more than just paralysis. The interruption of nerve signals may impact their ability to breathe, regulate body temperature, and control other bodily functions.
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding or organ damage can be hazardous because the trauma may not be immediately apparent. Common internal injuries include punctured lungs and ruptured livers, spleens, diaphragms, and kidneys.
- Whiplash: A type of soft-tissue injury in the neck, whiplash occurs when muscles, ligaments, and tendons tear or stretch, often due to the head and neck snapping back and forth like the crack of a whip. While whiplash is frequent in rear-end accidents, it is also a common injury when cars hit pedestrians.
- Fractures: Broken bones are a likely consequence of pedestrian accidents, especially in the arms, wrists, ankles, legs, ribs, and spine. Complex fractures usually require surgery and long recovery periods. In some cases, severely broken bones can prevent victims from returning to the work they did before the collision.
- Amputation: Pedestrians may get pinned under or in between vehicles and other obstructions after a crash. In some cases, crushed limbs are beyond repair. Pedestrians may require amputation to save their lives.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Burns, scrapes, and lacerations can all lead to scarring and disfigurement. Burns, in particular, can be life-altering injuries, often sustained by pedestrians exposed to fuel, fire, and toxic chemicals in a crash.
Recovering Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
If you have sustained injuries in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation to help cover the cost of expenses related to your injuries, including:
- Past, current, and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lost quality of life
- Punitive damages, if appropriate
Talk to a Pedestrian Injury Attorney in Sacramento Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Sacramento, don’t hesitate to contact the skilled attorneys at the Demas Law Group, P.C. today. Navigating the claims process can be challenging, especially when you’re recovering from severe injuries.
Let us take the burden off your shoulders. Our accomplished pedestrian accident lawyers will investigate the accident for you, identifying the liable parties, and pursuing maximum compensation for your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
