One of the common ways that senior citizens keep active is by walking. For many of these seniors, it is also a primary means of transportation. This is one reason why the elderly are at extra risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident. In addition to the risks that all pedestrians face, seniors may also be dealing with vision or hearing difficulties, as well as other physical issues, that make them especially vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.
If your elderly loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, contact a law firm to meet with a pedestrian accident attorney and find out what legal recourse you may have.
Alarming National Data
The statistics associated with pedestrian accidents are staggering:
- There are approximately 105,000 emergency room visits of pedestrians treated for non-fatal crash-related injuries annually.
- Each year, there are approximately 7,000 pedestrians killed in pedestrian accidents. That comes out to one death every 75 minutes.
- Almost 20 percent of those victims are aged 65 years or older.
- The financial cost of pedestrian accident injuries each year is approximately $4 billion. The financial cost of pedestrian accident fatalities each year is $21 billion.
Common Injuries
Some of the more common injuries that elderly pedestrian accident victims sustain include:
- Abdominal trauma is a frequent injury in pedestrian accidents, often causing damage to different organs in the area, such as the liver, as well as causing internal bleeding
- Brain injuries, often leave elderly victims suffering from sensory and memory issues
- Fractured bones, which often require extensive rehabilitation for elderly victims to heal
- Spinal cord injuries, including fractures, dislocated discs, and ligament damages
- Death
Negligent Driver Actions that Cause Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accident attorneys know that there are many different driver behaviors that can result in a pedestrian being struck and injured. Or worse. Under Virginia law, all drivers owe a duty of care to other commuters that they share the road with, including pedestrians. Some of the more common causes we see in the pedestrian accident cases we handle include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol
- Drugged driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Disobeying traffic laws
Pedestrian Protection
There are steps that pedestrians can take to help avoid being a victim. In some pedestrian accidents, the pedestrian was negligent and that caused the accident. Some ways pedestrians can be responsible for the accident they are injured in include:
- Walking under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Walking while distracted, such as looking at their phone or walking with earbuds
- Walking against a do not walk signal
- Jaywalking
- Running into traffic
- Walking in areas that are prohibited areas for pedestrians
Contact a Virginia Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue compensation that will address your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
The Virginia pedestrian accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been advocating for victims and their families for more than 30 years, using all available resources to successfully obtain the best possible outcome under the circumstances of the case. Our attorneys have built solid reputations as skilled negotiators who will not hesitate to pursue litigation if the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith. Call our office today for a free case evaluation and to find out how our legal team can help get you the financial compensation you deserve.
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