North Carolina Law Firm Stands Up for Injured Pedestrians
Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers Handle Pedestrian Accident Cases
North Carolina roadways aren’t necessarily safe for pedestrians. Each year, more than 3,000 pedestrians are struck by vehicles and 160 are killed, making North Carolina one of the most dangerous states in the U.S. for walking. Research has found that pedestrians who are hit by a car traveling 40 mph or more have an 85 percent chance of being killed. More than half of all vehicle/pedestrian collisions happen at intersections, particularly when the vehicle is turning.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
A pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle is at a great disadvantage in terms of force, size, and weight, especially if the vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed. Some of the types of injuries that pedestrians can sustain include:
Soft tissue injuries. Bruises, contusions, lacerations, tears, strains, and sprains are
examples of soft tissue injuries that can require weeks, months, or even years of
medical treatment, depending upon their severity.
Fractures. When a car hits a pedestrian, bone fractures commonly occur. While
fractures are often treated successfully, they can still lead to chronic pain and other
medical problems.
Head trauma. The force by which a pedestrian is struck by an automobile can result in a
serious head injury, such as a concussion, fractured skull, brain bleed, and a traumatic
brain injury, or TBI.
Internal bleeding. When blood vessels or internal organs are injured, internal bleeding
can result, sometimes leading to organ failure, shock, and death.
Pelvic injuries. Elderly or female pedestrians are at the greatest risk for pelvic injuries if
they are struck by a motor vehicle.
Spinal injuries. A sudden traumatic blow to the spine can dislocate or shatter the
vertebrae, disrupting the signals that are transmitted between the brain and the body,
often leading to permanent damage.
Emotional trauma. Not all pedestrian injuries are physical in nature. Many suffer severe,
painful, and long-lasting emotional distress after being struck by a motor vehicle.
Death. Due to the general lack of protection a pedestrian has while they are walking, those who are struck by large, powerful motor vehicles are typically at a high risk of critical injuries and death.
The severity of a pedestrian injuries depends on many factors, including vehicle speed, the force of the impact, the part of the pedestrian’s body that is hit by the vehicle, and vehicle design.
Contact an Experienced North Carolina Pedestrian Accident Law Firm Today
Were you struck by a motor vehicle while you were walking in North Carolina and as a result, sustained serious or permanent injuries? Call the Law Offices of Estwanik and May PLLC at 704-817-2004 to schedule your free consultation with a North Carolina attorney with experience in pedestrian injuries today.