Pedestrians often suffer catastrophic personal injuries when they are involved in a car accident (motor vehicle accident). Pedestrian car accidents are especially prevalent in the winter months as the roads frost over with ice, crosswalks become obstructed by ice and snow drifts, and the night creeps later and later into the day.
Despite the freezing weather, pedestrians bundle up and remain abundant in the city as they commute to and from work and school. Unfortunately, many of those pedestrians will fall victim to a car accident where they suffer serious or catastrophic personal injuries as a result of driver and/or pedestrian negligence. In fact, the number of fatalities due to pedestrian-involved car accidents is much higher than that of car accidents involving one or more vehicles.
Some of the ways to stay safe this winter season while a pedestrian are:
- Always wear bright and reflective clothing when walking in the dark
- Always cross the street in a marked crosswalk
- Always use the overhead crosswalk traffic lights when available
- Always check for oncoming cars
- Always follow the rules of the road
- Always obey traffic signals and cross signs
- Put your cell phone away and pay attention to the road
Some of the most common injuries seen in pedestrians involved in car accidents are:
- Whiplash associated injuries
- Concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises
- Fractures and broken bones
- Jaw injuries
- Chronic pain
Following these simple recommendations could save you or a loved one from being involved in a car accident as a pedestrian and from suffering serious or catastrophic personal injuries.
To find out more, contact a personal injury lawyer at Law Fifty One LLP.