What are the Most Common Injuries in New York City Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accident injuries are generally serious. Many people do not survive, and those who do are often permanently disabled. A human being is no match for a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds. These injuries are often catastrophic, meaning they affect the brain, spinal cord, or spinal column, and individuals may never fully recover.
The type of injury relates to the unique circumstances of each accident. For example, pedestrians who are thrown onto the hood of the vehicle are more likely to suffer head or chest injuries. The faster the car is going at the time of the crash– leads to more severe and fatal outcomes.
The New York City pedestrian accident lawyers at Douglas & London will investigate your claim and identify all parties who may have contributed to the collision. We protect your rights while negotiating with the insurance company so that you may receive the compensation you deserve.
Amputations
Multiple fractures, crushing, or severing of a body part may result in amputation of a limb. This means the victim will need a prosthesis. Artificial limbs are quite expensive and need regular replacement, as often as every three years. That is in addition to the extensive rehabilitation necessary to teach the individual how to use their prosthesis.
Broken Bones
Bone fractures are among the most frequent injuries. The patient may require surgery and significant physical therapy. Not only are broken bones extremely painful, but the victim can end up with permanent impairment with a badly shattered arm or leg or multiple fractures.
Approximately half of all pedestrian accident victims are hurt in the lower extremities. Fractured pelvic bones often occur in these collisions.
Internal Injuries
The impact from a motor vehicle can cause internal injuries which may include:
- Brain bleeds
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
Soft Tissue Injuries
While soft tissue injuries are not as severe as some other pedestrian accident injuries, almost every victim will suffer some form of laceration, bruising, strains, sprains, tears, or dislocation. These injuries are usually painful and can prevent the person from working or participating in daily activities for an extended period.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia, or loss of feeling and function in the legs and feet and possibly the abdomen. Quadriplegia involves loss of feeling and function below the neck, causing paralysis in all limbs.
A spinal cord injury may also cause paralysis in just one limb, which is known as monoplegia. Hemiplegia affects one side of the body, such as the left leg and arm.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBIs run the gamut from a concussion, from which patients should recover in several weeks, to severe injuries rendering the person incapacitated or in a coma.
A personal injury lawyer knows what the client will need in terms of ongoing medical care based on their prognosis. An economic analyst will determine the clients’ loss of income due to their injuries based on their age, education, job history, and other factors. If the insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement, we will take the case to trial.
Emotional Trauma
In addition to physical injuries, many accident victims must deal with ongoing emotional trauma from their ordeal. Some people may develop PTSD from the incident. They may end up panicking when trying to cross streets or exhibit other issues surrounding traffic.
Contact us at Douglas & London for a free consultation
If you or a loved one were hit by a car and seriously injured, you need the services of the experienced New York City personal injury lawyers at Douglas & London. Take advantage of our free consultation by submitting our online form or calling or texting us 24/7.
We will let you know your options after reviewing your claim. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, so there is never a fee unless you receive compensation. Hablamos Español.
