Lacking the protection of an enclosed vehicle, pedestrians are more susceptible to serious injuries in an accident. The medical bills alone can be enough to cause financial distress. Common injuries sustained following an accident include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, broken bones, and lacerations. If you or a family member has suffered harm in a collision while traveling on foot in the ‘Burg, our Chambersburg pedestrian accident lawyers would like to hear from you.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any strike or blow to the head can disrupt brain function, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Most pedestrian TBI victims suffer closed brain injuries, meaning that the skull remains intact, but the brain oscillates back and forth rapidly within.
A TBI can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, headaches, mood swings, and slurred speech. Even if you sustain a closed brain injury, your TBI severity can only be determined by a physician. TBI Symptoms may present hours or days later, so it is important to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible following your accident.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is comprised of a bundle of nerves that run from the center of your spine, starting at your brainstem and ending at your tailbone. The spinal cord sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the spine can twist and compress on impact. Any damage to this tubular structure can cause loss of movement, sensation, loss of bladder/bowel control, difficulty breathing, and paralysis. The severity (incomplete/complete) and location of the damage will determine the extent of injury. Symptoms may not present immediately, so it is crucial to receive a medical evaluation. Doing so may identify a less obvious injury and prevent complications.
Herniated Discs
A high-velocity impact is likely to throw a pedestrian to the ground, leading to a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like center of a disc (cushion between your vertebrae) begins to leak from its outer ring. This leakage causes the cushion between the vertebrae to become less effective, causing pressure on the spinal cord and irritating the spinal nerves. Symptoms may present as pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs and feet, lower back pain, and muscle weakness.
Fractures
Our legs, arms, hands, and feet are particularly vulnerable during a crash, leading to broken bones or fractures. Fractures may be open or closed, with the bone in open fractures piercing the skin. Given the severity of the break, open fractures most often require surgery.
Pedestrian collisions often result in a recognizable fracture pattern, with bumper hitting the lower extremities, the hood or windshield striking the torso (as the pedestrian is thrown up onto the vehicle), and a secondary head injury occurring as the person falls. While a fracture is a more obvious injury (compared to a head injury or spinal cord injury), you should be thoroughly examined.
Lacerations
Wounds or tears in the skin, known as lacerations, are common after pedestrian accidents. Proper care of the laceration can prevent infection. However, you may require medical attention if you are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding, numbness or tingling in the affected area, or a deep or wide cut (greater than ½ inch). In some cases, irrigation, debridement, and sutures or staples may be required.
Guidance from Our Personal Injury Team
Unfortunately, liability in pedestrian accident cases is often more challenging to prove, with insurance companies often shifting the blame to you. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, we believe that pedestrians deserve the same access to financial resources as other accident victims.
Given that pedestrian accidents happen quickly, there may be a lack of witnesses, making it more difficult to get compensated. No matter, our Chambersburg pedestrian accidents attorneys will conduct an independent investigation to determine what really occurred. This will require taking photos at the accident scene, collecting video footage, the driver’s cell phone records, and gathering eyewitness statements. If damages cannot be successfully collected through negotiations, we will take your case to trial.
Injured? Reach Out to Our Chambersburg Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Immediately
If you have been struck by a motor vehicle, your first step should be to speak with our Chambersburg pedestrian accident attorneys. By assessing the facts, our legal team will identify what types of evidence can establish the driver’s liability. To arrange your free consultation, contact our firm online or by calling (717) 229-6580 at your earliest opportunity.