Pedestrians do not have the safety or protection of cars when involved in a car accident. In fact, they don’t have any protection at all, which is why pedestrian accidents have broken bones as the most common injury. 3,000 pounds of steel and other metal colliding into an unprotected human being can result in exceptionally serious injuries, especially in the hip and leg region.
Pedestrians do not have the safety or protection of cars when involved in a car accident. In fact, they don’t have any protection at all, which is why pedestrian accidents have broken bones as the most common injury. 3,000 pounds of steel and other metal colliding into an unprotected human being can result in exceptionally serious injuries, especially in the hip and leg region.
Injuries sustained may include broken hips, tibia, femur, knees, fibula, arms, ankles, wrists, and elbows. Often, pedestrians also suffer from brain and head injuries from the contact and the impact of being thrown on the ground or car.
It is vital for victims and their loved ones to consult with a New York pedestrian accident attorney because of the inherent severity of injuries involved. This can help increase the likelihood of receiving compensation by hiring experienced representation. While no amount of money can every truly compensate for one’s pain and suffering, adequate compensation can go a long way in relieving the financial burden of exorbitant medical bills.
Broken Bones May Result in Loss of Income
Bone fractures are serious injuries and often require surgery for proper healing. It can take anywhere from weeks to months for bones to set properly. The healing period depends on a person’s age, general medical condition, and location and type of break. Almost everyone relies on their legs and arms to perform daily chores and tasks. Some may even require dexterity in their limbs, such as surgeons, or the ability to move and lift things, like construction workers.
Broken bones can make it challenging to return to the same level of activity as before. In addition, mounting medical bills can make it more difficult to survive since the victim may have a loss of income. For instance, waiters, nurses, dentists, restaurant workers, retail workers, and other professionals may not be able to return to work till after their recovery period is over.
Insurance companies are notorious for low-balling clients with significantly low settlement amounts. They rarely, if ever, offer reasonable compensation to cover loss of income and future medical expenses. Even if they do offer compensation for pain and suffering, their amount will be a token offer to prevent you from seeking legal help. Insurance companies in New York know that lawyers will do everything they possibly can to acquire the maximum compensation a victim is entitled to.
Proper Diagnosis of Pedestrian Accident Victims is Vital
Physicians always start by ensuring a proper diagnosis, especially when the victim of pedestrian accident suffered multiple injuries. X-rays may be reliable in diagnosing certain bone fractures, such as in femur and tibia. But, they are not the best tool for identifying other injuries associated with fractures.
Your physician may want to employ an MRI or an ultrasound scan to determine the presence of other injuries or complications. Accident patients often have ruptured internal organs that may leak fluid into the abdominal cavity. Ultrasound scans can pick up such injuries while minimizing radiation. MRI may be required for patients with spinal and brain injuries.
Research on Fracture Injuries Sustained by Pedestrian Accident Victims
Significant traumatic injuries can occur in pedestrians that get hit by a car. This includes trauma to long bones in the legs, spinal cord, and abdominal organs. Polytrauma and wrongful death is also a possibility depending on the size and speed of the motor vehicle. Injuries get even more traumatic when pedestrians are thrown on the ground because of the impact.
A study revealed that the patient’s age plays a major role in the status of their injuries after being involved in a car accident. The study involved patients that were injured between the years 1995 and 2006.
Results revealed that of the 6,600 to be analyzed:
- Close to 20% had tibia fracture
- About 30% has femur or tibia fracture
- 7% had femur fracture
- 3% fractured both femur and tibia
Mortality rate was found to be significantly higher in victims with fractures in the extremities. Close to 20% patients that had fractures in their femur and tibia passed away.
Bone Fractures Severely Impact Mobility and Routine Activity
Broken bones can prove to be disabling and debilitating where mobility is concerned in victims of pedestrian accidents. Mobility gets particularly restricted if the person broke his femur or tibia or the dominant arm. The pedestrian accident victim in New York may need to undergo surgery if the break is severe.
Such injuries can leave a person feeling dejected and frustrated since they may be unable to perform normal functions, like cooking, cleaning, grooming, and bathing. Such restrictions can prove to be disabling for a long time till gradual recovery can allow for activities to be resumed.
Broken bones can also impact a person’s ability to earn income. Severe restrictions and lack of mobility may cause extended absence from their place of employment during recovery. For instance, the victim may be restricted to crutches, walker, or a wheelchair. These restrictions can make it difficult for the accident victim to get to work, much less perform their job in the same capacity.
In addition, the injured party may never be able to resume normal activities or return to their employment depending on the seriousness of the fractures and injuries. They may not be able to pick up any other similar type of work as well causing a gap in employment. Broken bones are among the most painful injuries sustained in a pedestrian-car collision. These injuries and corresponding pain tend to stay for a long time.
Expenses Related to Broken Bones
Broken bones suffered by pedestrian in car accidents can be anything from single fractures, to hairline and multiple fractures. It may also include compound and skill fractures. While most fractures can be treated with minimal care, certain bones require surgical intervention to set properly. The victim may need to be hospitalized during the recovery period.
Generally, fracture surgeries require to be followed by physical therapy, orthopedic care, rehabilitation, and lengthy recovery period. This can quickly add to the medical bills required for necessary treatment. It can only be hoped that the injured party can have their medical bills and treatment costs covered by health insurance. Even so, there may be copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses to consider.
In case you recover compensation, the health insurer may be entitled to repayment of costs associated with the injuries and liens resulting from the incident. Victims don’t just suffer pain from the accident and resulting trauma.
When broken bones are involved, patients undergo massive pain during the surgical and rehabilitative period as well. Doctors manage this pain by prescribing strong pain medications. Still, recovery can be painful, expensive, and lengthy.
There are three types of pains involved in bone fractures:
- Acute pain is immediate when the bone breaks
- Sub-acute pain persists for the first few days or weeks while the soft tissue and bone are healing
- Chronic pain continues even when the soft tissue and fracture has healed
Recovery of Economic Damages for Covering Medical Expenses in New York
Pedestrian victims always bear the maximum brunt of the impact when involved in an accident with a truck or a car. In most cases, injured party sustains catastrophic and significant injuries requiring extensive healthcare and medical treatment. This can lead to significant expenses in the form of medical bills and expenses.
Injured pedestrians in New York may also suffer life altering physical impairments. These may restrict their ability to carry out their job duties resulting in a significant and immediate loss of earning capacity and income. Economic damages may be awarded for objectively verifiable monetary losses in order to compensate the victim financially.
These damages can include loss of employment or business opportunities, loss of past and future earnings, costs of repair or replacement, past and future medical expenses, loss of use of property, and the economic value of domestic services.
Compensation for Non-Economic Losses in New York
Non-economic losses are also real, including mental anguish and pain suffering. These losses involve diminished quality of life and the inability to take part in favorite past-times and hobbies. Injuries can also affect the lives of loved ones and family members that shared those activities.
Victims may be entitled to compensation for these non-monetary damages in addition to receiving compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and other economic damages. Non-economic damages are usually awarded to financially compensate non-monetary and subjective losses, such as emotional distress, loss of society, pain, suffering, loss of consortium, inconvenience, and loss of companionship.
Consult with an Experienced Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer in NYC
The lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP have decades of experience representing victims of pedestrian accidents in New York. We have the experience, knowledge and skill that are acquired after dealing multiple cases over the years. You can count on us to see your case through settlement negotiations into a jury trial if needed.
The dedicated attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP are just a call away. Give us a call today at 212-344-1000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and case review with an experienced and knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney.