Pedestrian Knock Downs

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Pedestrian Accidents

The occurrence of pedestrians being hit by vehicles is ever increasing. So many factors can contribute to pedestrians being knocked down and can lead to very serious injuries and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2012, 4,743 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured.

If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should make contact with a personal injury attorney who can look at the merits of your case. It may turn out that you could receive a cash settlement as compensation for your injuries, treatment and pain and suffering.

Causes

In an age where people are more conscious about the environment, looking at alternative transportation is a choice many people make. In big cities like Chicago and New York, mass transit is encouraged to ease congestion, but on busy streets, pedestrian fill the sidewalks in a seemingly endless flow.

Common groups that are at risk are the elderly and children. Visibility is often the concern when it comes to younger pedestrians.

Common scenarios in which accidents occur include:

• Nearly three out of four pedestrian deaths in urban environments;
• At intersections mostly when cars make a turn;
• During the night hours;
• Alcohol being a factor;
• Drivers that do not obey laws and signals consistently including using cell phones while driving; and
• Speed

One disturbing statistic is that only 60% of pedestrians said they expected drivers to stop when they were in crosswalks, even though they have the right-of-way

The resulting injuries can be horrific and often fatal. Musculosketal injuries to legs and upper body are common.  A pedestrian may even end up somersaulting over the car and hit the roadway and suffer serious injuries or death. Children are especially prone to traumatic brain and back injuries.

Caring Legal Representation

Finding the right legal help is crucial in order to bolster the strength of your case. Attention to detail and a full investigation and a comprehensive understanding of the law is important. Beside the content of your case, there are procedural considerations that an experienced attorney will be attentive to.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/

http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Safety1nNum3ers/august2013/SafetyInNumbersAugust2013.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859736/