Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are much more likely to lead to fatalities than crashes involving only vehicles. Even when they don’t, pedestrians are still often left with severe, life-altering injuries. Common injuries in pedestrian accidents not only take significant time to heal, but may change a victim’s ability to work or embark on daily life activities as he or she once did. When a negligent motorist causes a collision and injures a pedestrian in a crosswalk or elsewhere, that motorist should be held accountable for the resulting damages. Miami pedestrian accident lawyer Robert Dixon offers experienced and compassionate legal representation for victims during this time of physical and emotional pain. Mr. Dixon and his staff at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help you determine what legal steps are necessary in the aftermath of an accident. We represent victims as well as families who have lost loved ones in devastating pedestrian accidents pursue justice. Our firm assists clients throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as elsewhere in South Florida. If you have questions regarding your legal options after being injured or losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident, please contact our office and set up a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.

Pedestrians do not have much protection as vehicle passengers do when it comes to collisions with a car, truck, or even bicycle. As such, when these accidents occur, pedestrians usually bear the brunt in terms of serious injuries upon impact. Common injuries in these accidents include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Internal injuries such as bleeding or punctured lungs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis and other spinal injuries
• Death

Aside from the initial injuries, pedestrian victims may also develop further complications such as infections, either due to previous health matters, age, or a delay in treatment for an injury that was unknown at the time. Pedestrians should seek medical treatment as soon as possible following an accident to help prevent additional harm and make sure injuries are properly diagnosed. When an injury is caused by a negligent party, sometimes legal action is necessary to help victims pursue the financial resources they need from those responsible, and a dedicated pedestrian accident attorney can help.

Often, pedestrian accidents involving a motor vehicle are caused by a driver’s negligence. Negligence is the legal basis for both personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of these types of collisions. To show negligence, a victim must prove that the driver, or another defendant, breached his or her duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would under the circumstances, and that the breach caused the victim’s injuries and resulted in damages. For example, a driver who is distracted by his phone and then strikes a pedestrian in a parking lot could be found to have acted unreasonably. Once negligence is shown, victims can be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost income, any changes in earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages. Relatives who have lost loved ones can also be compensated for a victim’s outstanding medical bills associated with the injury that led to their death, as well as burial and funeral costs.

Common injuries in pedestrian accidents can lead to long recovery periods for victims, both physically and mentally. Some injuries, like those involving the spine or brain, never fully heal, and these victims must deal with significant changes in their lives. Having a dedicated legal advocate on your side is important to helping you seek the financial support you need. Pedestrian accident attorney Robert Dixon assists clients throughout the entire legal process, making sure their legal rights are protected while they focus on their health. If you need legal assistance following a pedestrian accident, please call the Law Offices of Robert Dixon at 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your potential claim. We serve clients in areas including Miami, and West Palm Beach.