It is an unfortunate reality that the city of West Palm Beach’s sidewalks and roadways are not perfectly designed to facilitate absolute safety for pedestrians. This means that each time you decide to walk from one place to another in the city, you are putting yourself at some increased risk of being involved in an accident with a vehicle, whether it is a passenger vehicle, bus, commercial truck, or another type of automobile. Although West Palm Beach might not be able to guarantee safety for pedestrians, there are many laws in the Florida Statutes intended to protect them from harm and to establish accountability in the event that an accident does occur.
If you have been struck by a vehicle while you were walking in or around West Palm Beach, contact CarAccidentAttorney.com as soon as possible to be connected with an experienced personal injury lawyer who is ready to take your case and help you fight for the money you truly deserve. After your accident, you will need to focus on recovering from your injuries, returning to work, getting your personal and professional life back on track, and also manage the entire insurance claims process on your own.
Read more below about some common injuries that take place after pedestrian accidents, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions about the insurance claims process following an accident that resulted in injuries. Contact us now to be connected with an attorney as soon as possible, and start fighting for what you deserve.
Common Injuries From Pedestrian Accidents
Regardless of how insignificant you may believe that your injuries may be after a pedestrian accident, it is extremely important that you see your doctor as soon as possible. For starters, you will be able to address any medical issues and get the proper treatment immediately. In addition, each visit to your doctor establishes more of a medical record of your injuries, which will be very useful during your claims process.
The type of injuries that a pedestrian can receive from a car accident range from mild to severe, and in some cases may be fatal. It all depends on a variety of factors, such as the speed of the vehicle that they were hit by, the size of the vehicle, and much more. Whether or not the following examples resemble your injuries, you are entitled to compensation for your suffering.
Fractures
Being hit by a moving vehicle is a quick way to fracture a bone or multiple bones. Common fractures after being hit by a car are arms, legs, fingers, and shoulders, although no bone is free from possible injury depending on the type of collision.
Depending on the severity of the fracture, the victim may need to be in a full cast for an extended period of time, may need to have the bone re-set in order to facilitate proper healing, or may be able to simply use an air cast and/or crutches. Regardless, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible to make sure that your injuries are treated appropriately.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can range from a minor concussion resulting in headaches and trouble focusing for a short period of time, to more serious issues like a coma, permanent brain damage, or death. Even the most minor concussion needs the attention of a medical professional, if only just to ensure that there are no other additional issues that have not been identified, and a recovery course is prescribed.
Concussions can have a variety of side effects, including headaches, blurred vision, and trouble concentrating. In some cases, concussions may have serious impacts on the victim’s emotional health, leading to depression, anger, and other personality changes.
Bruising
Bruising is an extremely common type of injury that happens after an impact when the blood vessels near the skin rupture. Once they are ruptured, blood will flow unrestricted into the surrounding areas, leading to dark bruising. In some cases, bruising may be an indication of a more serious injury like internal bleeding, ruptures to major veins or arteries, or other serious issues that require additional treatment.
Bruises may also turn into a hematoma, which is a large lump that forms around a bruise as the blood coagulates. They can cause significant pain and may require additional treatment in order to provide the victim with a recovery course.
Whiplash
Whiplash is another common injury in impact accidents which is caused by damage to the soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, and disks in the spine or neck. When the body is involved in an impact accident, the head is likely to jerk forward, down, and back in one rapid “S” motion that causes serious tearing to the soft tissues.
Whiplash and other similar injuries to soft tissue and muscle may not be immediately apparent after the accident. After a few days, the injured area may begin to tighten and bruise, leading to extreme discomfort. This is just one reason why it is important that you make no statements after an accident claiming that you are not injured.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents
Who is at fault for my accident?
In order to establish fault for your accident, it is very important that the police are contacted as soon as possible, and that they make an accident report after examining the scene and taking statements from witnesses and the people involved. It is also important for you to get the contact information of witnesses to the accident so that they can help to corroborate your claim if the insurance company pushes back on establishing fault.
Getting as much documentation together as possible is very important to establish fault for the accident and to build a comprehensive picture of the situation so that any new person, like a judge, juror, or claims adjuster, can quickly understand the situation.
How much money will I get for my pedestrian accident injuries?
Accident settlements rely on a variety of economic and non-economic factors in order to determine the final amount that a victim deserves. They include obvious things like the medical bills resulting from the injuries, as well as the victim’s economic situation, the amount of money they make, and the amount of time that they are away from work as they are recovering after the accident.
In addition to these economic factors, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in West Palm Beach will be sure to quantify the “non-economic” damages that their client has suffered, like the actual pain and suffering from their injuries, and the possible depression and anxiety that they must endure after this traumatic event.
Should I hire an attorney to help me with my insurance claim?
Whether or not an insurance claim seems like it will be a straightforward process, it is strongly recommended that you partner with an experienced lawyer to help you get the best results possible. An insurance company focuses primarily on limiting the amount of money that they payout for any accident, meaning that throughout their claim investigation, the adjuster assigned to your case will be looking for every possible way to reduce the amount they will pay.
When you have a lawyer representing you, the insurance company will know that you are not willing to settle for any less than what you deserve and that you will fight for your rights through negotiations and a lawsuit if necessary. Never accept a settlement from an insurance company without consulting with an attorney.