PEDESTRIANS

Imagine that you're walking along, minding your own business, crossing a crosswalk with the right-of-way of a pedestrian signal, and some careless driver comes speeding out of nowhere and collides with you. Through no fault of your own, you're suddenly thrust into the world of a pedestrian accident, facing mounting medical bills and potentially life threatening injuries because of someone else's negligence. If these scenarios applies to you, you're not alone. Let a pedestrian accident injury attorney help you find your way in the wake of an unexpected and severe injury from an accident like this.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INJURIES CAN BE CATASTROPHIC

More than any type of motor-vehicle accident injury, pedestrian injuries can be catastrophic. Pedestrians have zero protection from the fast-moving, steel death-cages that are motor-vehicles. People also don't have enough momentum to help them minimize the impact from a car or truck. The same applies to those on bikes. Whether on a bike or walking, pedestrians can easily be thrown or dragged, and often are left with effects from life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or even paralysis.

Fractured bones are the least of your worries when you've been the victim of a pedestrian accident. And with over 70,000 pedestrian injuries annually, a pedestrian is injured approximately every 8 minutes. Furthermore, a pedestrian is killed approximately once every two hours. With this high rate of injury and fatality, you're extremely lucky if you only suffer broken bones from a pedestrian accident with a vehicle.

EVERYONE IS VULNERABLE TO PEDESTRIAN INJURIES

Pedestrian injuries affect every age group from those under the age of five, to those over 80. No matter whom you are or where you are, you can quickly find yourself in a pedestrian accident at any time. The majority of pedestrian injuries and fatalities occur in urban areas.

For your safety, always follow pedestrian crossing laws. Cross with the right of way, and cross in crosswalks-where people expect to see you. Also, teach kids to stay out of the street since 23 percent of all pedestrian injuries involve children. And, if you're injured in spite of your precautions, consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help you fight for compensation.