Many Colorado pedestrians need to walk near vehicle traffic in order to reach their destinations. This makes them particularly vulnerable to injury if there is a collision, and in some cases, walkers do not even have to be directly involved in order to suffer injuries since they have no protection from flying debris or an out-of-control vehicle. In fact, pedestrian accidents take the lives of thousands of people all over the country each year.
In 2011, 14 percent (4,432 people) of the fatalities in traffic crashes across the country were pedestrians. Sadly, no less than half of those fatalities were children under the age of 16, with a large percentage being boys. In that same year, 69,000 pedestrians suffered some sort of injury in a car accident. Some of these victims were here in Colorado.
Even when a pedestrian does everything possible to keep safe, there is no guarantee that a driver will follow the traffic rules and avoid a collision. Due to the force of the impact, many pedestrians end up suffering spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can result in a lifetime of medical treatment and other assistance.
The devastation that pedestrian accidents can cause is often not limited to the victim alone. Families are often forced to adjust to a new way of living and could easily find themselves in financial distress. If the injuries suffered were caused by the negligence of another, a personal injury or wrongful death claim (whichever is applicable) could be filed seeking damages. A successfully litigated claim could provide you and your family with the restitution needed in order alleviate at least some of the financial burdens placed upon you by such a tragedy.