Cleveland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

What Should I Do After an Ohio Pedestrian Accident?

In typical motor vehicle accidents, meaning a car accident involving another car, truck, or other vehicle, the exterior of the vehicle offers occupants some protection from injuries. That is not the case for pedestrians struck by vehicles. The fragile human body is no match for a moving vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. As such, the injuries sustained in pedestrian crashes are often devastating.

It is important that pedestrians know what to do after being involved in such an accident. If you are hit by a vehicle in Ohio, the first thing you should do is seek and receive immediate medical attention. Call 911 right away (or have someone else do it if you cannot). Not only is this imperative to your own health and safety, but these medical records are necessary when building your personal injury case.

Do not allow anyone else to move you before the paramedics arrive. Moving the wrong way could worsen your injuries, especially if you notice you have severe neck or back pain.

Give your ID card and a statement to law enforcement authorities when they arrive at the accident scene. If you are able to, document the scene and take photos from multiple angles. You should also obtain information such as the names and insurance information of any and all vehicles involved.

Above all, never admit fault for a traffic accident, especially if you were the pedestrian injured.

What Are the Most Common Cleveland Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Most pedestrian accidents that involve a motor vehicle often inflict serious and catastrophic injuries. As a result, injured victims may suffer long-term health conditions and permanent disabilities following the accident.

Pedestrian accident victims frequently experience the following injuries:

Broken Bones and Fractures

Broken bones and fractures are common Cleveland pedestrian accident traumas. The impact of a vehicle against a human body may fracture the bones in a victim’s wrists, hands, shoulders, arms, legs, and backs. Complete breaks may also occur, such as compound fractures where the bone punches through the skin.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back trauma and spinal cord injuries frequently occur in pedestrian-involved accidents. Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, often requiring multiple surgeries and long-term physical therapy. Spinal cord injury symptoms include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Numbness
• Paralysis

Head and Traumatic Brain Injury

A vehicle striking a pedestrian may throw them through the air and onto the hard pavement or concrete where they hit their head. It is also possible that the mere impact of the collision causes serious head trauma.  As such, traumatic brain injuries and concussions are common. Victims may experience the following symptoms for days or even years after a forceful blow to the head:

• Memory loss
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of balance

Burns and Soft Tissue Injuries

Pedestrians involved in car accidents typically suffer injuries not only from the impact of the vehicle, but from the impact they make with the ground afterward. Road burns and rashes are common in these scenarios and can leave victims with permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Meanwhile, soft tissue injuries may include contusions, lacerations, sprains, strains, and tears. It usually takes less time to heal from soft tissue injuries, but they may cause permanent scarring and severe pain.

Amputations

When a pedestrian is hit by an automobile, their limbs may sustain severe damage. This is especially true if the vehicle ran over one or more of the extremities of the victim. It may require amputation if medical professionals cannot save the arm or leg.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident while walking or running, the Cleveland personal injury attorneys at Joseph Law Group can help you recover compensation for your losses and injuries.