Pedestrians are vulnerable on Colorado and Wyoming roads because they do not have real protection if a vehicle strikes them. As a result, pedestrian accidents usually mean victims could suffer debilitating injuries if the impact does not take their lives. Those who do survive and suffer from such injuries could need care for the rest of their lives, which will affect the victims as well as their family members.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an American pedestrian suffers an injury due to a vehicle impact every seven minutes. Further, one pedestrian will lose his or her life due to such accidents every two hours. Scores of people perish each year while several thousand more receive severe injuries that affect their quality of life and ability to function.
The CDC says that children and senior citizens have a high risk for being injured in a pedestrian accident in America. In fact, the CDC estimates that 20 percent of the nation’s pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2012 involved citizens 65 years or older. The presence of alcohol in either the motor vehicle operator or the pedestrian also has an effect on pedestrian accident risks. In 2012, 48 percent of the fatal pedestrian accidents involved alcohol.
It is natural to feel confused about what to do in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident. Often, victims feel traumatized and do not know how to get the help they need to move on. Speaking with a personal injury attorney about your options and your legal rights is a logical first step. It is advisable to choose a personal injury lawyer with a history of advocating for the rights of victims of pedestrian accidents.
Source: CDC.gov, “Pedestrian Safety,” accessed Aug. 20, 2015