Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Growing up, you were probably told to look both ways before crossing the street. However, even if you take every precaution possible when crossing the road, you might still be involved in a pedestrian accident.

Even if you feel fine following a pedestrian collision, there is always a chance that you may have suffered severe injuries. Therefore, you have to go to the emergency room to be evaluated. Then, you must reach out to a professional who can review your case to ensure your rights are adequately protected. There are several examples of common injuries that people suffer in pedestrian accidents.

Hip Injuries

A hip injury is one of the most common injuries that people suffer in a pedestrian accident. As you are crossing the street, if you are hit by a car, it will probably come from the side. Even though it is possible that a car could hit you head-on, you are more likely to see this vehicle coming at you, giving you time to get out of the way.

If a vehicle strikethrough from the side, the car’s hood is generally at hip-level on an adult. Therefore, it is not unusual for someone to suffer a hip injury in a pedestrian accident. This could lead to a severe fracture of the pelvis or femur, possibly damaging nerves and blood vessels in that area. You need to go to the emergency room as quickly as possible to address any potential compound fractures and internal bleeding.

Head Injuries

After being struck by a motor vehicle, you may hit your head on the pavement. This could lead to traumatic brain injuries, which come in many shapes and forms. For example, you might be diagnosed with a skull fracture. In addition, bone fragments could damage soft tissue and blood vessels in the brain. You might also be diagnosed with a cerebral contusion, a bruise of the brain tissue.

Finally, you might suffer different types of brain bleeds, which are all medical emergencies. Some head injuries require the emergency intervention of a trained neurosurgeon, which is why you should always head to the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident.

Back Injuries

You may also suffer serious back injuries in a pedestrian accident. When you hit the ground, you could be diagnosed with vertebral fractures. These are fractures of the spinal column, and bone fragments might damage nerves and blood vessels in the spine. You might also be diagnosed with a herniated disc, which can cause shooting pains to travel down the leg. Swelling in the spinal column following a motor vehicle accident could lead to spinal cord compression, a medical emergency.

The emergency room will probably perform imaging to make sure all potential back injuries are diagnosed.

Always Seek Professional Help Following a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents come in many shapes and forms, and these are just a few of the many injuries you may suffer. Following an accident, you need to go to the emergency room for a comprehensive evaluation.

Ensure the doctor does a thorough job, considering all possible injuries you may have suffered. Do not forget to ask for a copy of your medical records before you leave the emergency room, as you may need them to support a claim you might want to file later. Do not forget to contact an experienced, local attorney who can review your case. You might be entitled to financial compensation that can ease the burden during the recovery process.