The beautiful scenery and pleasant weather draw locals and tourists alike to numerous areas around North Carolina. Unfortunately, certain areas are popular for pedestrians as well as commuters. If a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle, though, the results can be catastrophic in even a low-speed collision.
Whether you are walking, jogging or simply crossing the street, you must always be aware of the motor vehicles in your surroundings. Drivers might be drunk, distracted or simply inattentive. Drivers might not recognize a marked crosswalk, might not clear an intersection before turning or driving through, or simply veer out of their lane into yours. Whatever the cause, you might struggle with debilitating injuries, a hospital stay, surgery and lengthy physical therapy.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), each year there are more than 2,000 pedestrians involved in police-reported collisions with motor vehicles. In an average year, between 200 and 300 pedestrians are seriously injured. Due to serious injuries and high-impact collisions, between 150 and 200 pedestrians in North Carolina are killed as a result of the accident.
Serious injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain damage
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Multiple or compound fractures
- Ligament damage
- Amputation
Unfortunately, pedestrians have to worry about the initial impact of the vehicle, the impact with the pavement as they fall down and potentially being run over by the vehicle after being knocked to the ground. With zero physical protection, pedestrians can suffer significant damage or fatal injuries when struck by any size motor vehicle.
It is important to discuss your accident and resulting injuries with an experienced personal injury attorney.
