While pedestrian accidents fell in Colorado between 2013 and 2014, there were still more than 2,000 pedestrians killed in accidents during the first six months of 2014, according to the Denver Business Journal. This terrible problem isn’t just limited to Colorado, however. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that across the United States, a pedestrian dies every two hours and is injured every eight minutes in traffic accidents.
Pedestrian accident cases are incredibly common and can have serious consequences for victims. Vehicles simply have weight, force and speed behind them, so when a car, bus or truck hits a person walking by, it’s usually the person who suffers the most. A pedestrian accident victim can be left with fractured bones, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma and other serious conditions. Even seemingly minor injuries such as whiplash can have long-lasting consequences and diminish quality of life.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
While a pedestrian can be a factor in the accident cause, drivers are often responsible. The common reasons behind a pedestrian accident include:
• Distracted driving: A driver who is talking on the phone, texting, eating, doing personal grooming, playing with the radio or paying attention to anything other than the road is distracted. When a driver isn’t aware of his or her surroundings, it’s simply a recipe for disaster.
• Driving under the influence: A person who is driving after drinking or taking drugs might suffer from impaired judgment and delayed reaction time. He or she might engage in dangerous driving behavior, such as running through a red light or stop sign, not signaling on a turn, or not watching for pedestrians crossing when making a turn.
• Angry driving: Aggressive driving or “road rage” can result in an accident. A driver might forget to check for people nearby when pulling out of a driveway or parking lot, speed, or ignore the right of way. Drivers experiencing road rage often engage in hazardous behaviors, making them erratic and unpredictable on the road.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
As a pedestrian accident victim in Colorado, you have rights and might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, losses and suffering because of the accident. Get medical care right away, even if you don’t think it’s necessary. Injuries from impact don’t always make themselves known right away. If you’re injured and you delay treatment, you could add to your recovery time and harm your case. Tell your doctor everything you’re feeling so he or she can have a full understanding of your condition.
Make sure your side of the events is reported to the police. If you’re unable to do so because of your injuries at the accident scene, you can talk to law enforcement and make your report later. Remain calm if the police seem to feel you’re at fault for the accident. While it’s understandable that might be upsetting to hear, it’s important to get your side of the story into the official accident record.
Get photos of the accident scene and any injuries you have. Ask someone else to take photos of the accident scene if are unable to do so. Write down the names and information of any witnesses, or have another person do it for you.
Don’t talk about your case on social media or with people outside of trusted friends and family, and this includes your own insurance company. It’s important to keep details about the accident under wraps to avoid harming your case or your rights. Get the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can.
Get What You Deserve
Pedestrian accident victims might be entitled to lost work wages, medical bills and expenses, compensation for loss of life quality, damages for physical impairment, and coverage for other losses from the accident. A pedestrian accident lawyer such as The Law Office of Richard J Banta, P.C. can help you get what you deserve. We will look at your case from the long-term and short-term angles so your needs now and down the road are addressed.
Call us at (303) 331-3145 today to discuss your case and get you started on the road to your personal and financial recovery.
