Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident? Call the Memphis pedestrian accident lawyers at Mama Justice today for a free consultation.

Everyone has heard about car accidents, but few people know how often pedestrians are involved in accidents with a vehicle. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of pedestrians are injured or killed in car crashes or truck accidents. The National Safety Council recently released data showing that nearly 8,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2018. Meanwhile, more than 6,000 pedestrian deaths occurred on public roadways.

Pedestrian accident involves several financial and emotional challenges. Thus, pedestrian accident victims deserve an experienced and caring lawyer on their side to win their recover damages. Pedestrian injuries are a serious concern for everyone, but they also present unique challenges for accident victims. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian-related accident, you should speak to our Memphis pedestrian accident lawyer at Mama Justice. With a pedestrian accident lawyer from Mama Justice at your side, you can count on getting a fair settlement for any injury you suffered in a pedestrian accident.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are the biggest victims of traffic accidents, accounting for almost half of all road-related deaths. Some common causes of Memphis pedestrian accidents include:

  • Distracted Drivers: Distracted driving has led to several pedestrian accidents as drivers are more likely to cause an accident if they are distracted, usually by texting and driving. Drivers texting or talking on a cell phone not only put pedestrians at risk but also other drivers. Pedestrians and drivers alike both face the risk of catastrophic injuries from distracted pedestrians and distracted drivers. Whether it’s the pedestrian playing with his phone or the driver checking his messages, both are taking their eyes off the road. People walking down the street should be sure to pay attention to traffic as closely as they do their phones, and drivers should never text or talk on their phones while driving.
  • Intoxicated drivers: Several pedestrian accidents occur because of drunk driving. Drivers who are intoxicated while they operate motor vehicles may be dangerous to everyone on the road, especially pedestrians. When people are drunk or high, they put the lives of others at risk. In places with heavy pedestrian traffic, drunk and impaired drivers pose a particular threat because their thought processes are distracted, and they lack good sense. Impairment changes a driver’s ability to think clearly, which can cause them to make dangerous driving decisions that could endanger others. Pedestrians caught in crosswalks late at night need to be wary of distracted drivers, who pose one of the most severe risks to people walking home after dark, to avoid being killed because of someone else’s negligence.
  • Reckless Driving: Recklessness by drivers can be considered one of the primary causes of pedestrian accidents. A driver who does not look for pedestrians or obeys traffic signals at crosswalks can be a danger to pedestrians.
  • Bad Weather: Rain and snow can make roads slippery, and pedestrians must be extra careful when crossing the street in poor visibility conditions. When pedestrians walk on a slippery road, they can become more exposed to the dangers of being hit by oncoming cars.
  • Road Construction: Roads can be dangerous places to walk when they are under construction. Pedestrians in major walking areas may not know that the streets are blocked off, making them vulnerable to cars. Without proper signage, pedestrians could be hurt or killed by passing cars. Road construction can force pedestrians to walk in areas where drivers do not expect them to be, such as the middle of streets. This can lead to pedestrian accidents and result in substantial damages to vehicles and property.

A pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights, determine the exact cause of your crash, and pursue compensation. Before pursuing a claim, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney. You should schedule a free consultation with our Memphis personal injury attorneys at Mama Justice to discuss your full legal options.

What are the Most Common Pedestrian Injuries in Memphis?

Pedestrians are vulnerable to accidents with negligent drivers. By being aware of the injuries that can result from accidents and staying safe, pedestrians can be protected from accidents.

Some of the typical pedestrian accident injuries we see in Memphis include:

Soft Tissues Injuries

Dozens of soft tissue injuries can occur because of pedestrian accidents. Bruises, lacerations, tears, dislocations, and sprains are all types of soft tissue injuries that can keep victims from engaging in everyday activities. This type of accident can result in several different injuries, including contusions and strains. Soft tissue injuries tend to cause more pain and discomfort than other pedestrian injury accidents. According to recent studies, soft tissue injuries can result in long-term issues. Therefore, it is always essential for people injured in a pedestrian accident to seek medical attention to avoid long-term problems.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can lead to life-changing injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, and unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries are common in these types of collisions. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can take many forms, from mild concussions to severe head or spinal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are caused by trauma from outside the skull, usually in the form of a violent blow to the head or body. These traumas often occur in motor vehicle accidents, accounting for about 60% of all TBIs. While some traumatic brain injuries can have minor symptoms, others can have severe long-term medical consequences. The effects of such injuries aren’t always visible but can lead to long-term health complications for the victim.

Spinal Injuries

In pedestrian accidents, thousands of people sustain serious injuries like spinal cord injuries every year. Like any major injury, a spinal cord injury can be caused by force or trauma. Unlike a fractured bone or dislocated joint, spinal cord damage can have devastating effects. This type of injury is severe and can result in paralysis or death. People who do survive these types of injuries typically require long-term care and rehabilitation.

Fracture

A bone fracture is an injury that occurs when the physical force exerted on a bone is stronger than the bone itself. Bone fractures are common in pedestrian accidents and can lead to permanent injuries. With proper treatment, victims can return to their everyday lives. However, if left untreated, some bone fracture injuries can lead to lifelong pain and medical problems that may interfere with your well-being and quality of life.

Emotional Trauma

Even if physical injuries do not occur, being struck by a vehicle is a traumatic experience. Individuals struck while walking may suffer permanent emotional trauma and have difficulty coping with the aftermath. Many people who have been involved in pedestrian accidents may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other forms of emotional trauma. They need the help of professionals to get back on their feet.

Other severe injuries that pedestrians suffer in accidents include:

  • Broken bones
  • Tendon and ligament damage
  • Internal organ damage
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Amputation

Compensation Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims in Memphis

The number of pedestrian accidents in Memphis has been rising in recent years. Memphis is a bustling city with many pedestrians on the sidewalks and roads. Unfortunately, this means that there are also more opportunities for accidents to happen. Whether you were hit by a car while walking in a crosswalk or crossing the street, our Memphis pedestrian accident lawyers can help get you to recover compensation. Some of the potential compensation available to Memphis pedestrian accident victims include:

Medical expenses

Medical expenses are one of the many types of compensation available to people involved in pedestrian accidents in Memphis. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover the cost of your medical bills, both current and future. You may also be able to recover other expenses related to your accident, such as lost income and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand the various compensation types available to you and fight for the total amount you deserve.

Lost wages

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, they may be out of work for an extended period. This can result in lost wages and can be a significant financial burden. Fortunately, there are compensation programs available to help cover these costs. If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian crash, contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer to file a personal injury claim.

Pain and suffering

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Memphis, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. In many cases, your insurance company may try to lowball you by offering settlements that are far below what you’re owed. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s vital to seek out the services of an experienced personal injury attorney that has handled several pedestrian accident cases and can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve

Punitive damages

Punitive damages may be available to pedestrian crash victims in Memphis. This type of damage is designed to punish the at-fault party for their negligence. Gross negligence is defined as a wanton or reckless disregard for human life. To recover punitive damages, the pedestrian must prove that the at-fault party acted with gross negligence. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Memphis

The statute of limitations is a deadline by which you must file a lawsuit, or your claim will be forever barred. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident is one year, meaning that you must commence a lawsuit within one year of the accident to comply with the law. In general, Tennessee law dictates that personal injury and wrongful death claims involving car crashes must be filed within one year of the date of the accident. This time limit can be extended under certain circumstances, however.

In some cases, the pedestrian accident statute of limitations may be tolled (or paused) for equitable reasons. For instance, the statute of limitations may be broken if the driver flees after the accident or if they are involved in some other activity intended to conceal their liability. In these cases, a court might stop the statute of limitations from running so that the pedestrian can receive compensation for medical bills and other related damages.

Regardless of the cause, any injured party can seek compensation for medical bills and lost wages. If you are considering filing a lawsuit against a party in your state, there is a deadline that you must follow. If you do not file the suit before the statute of limitations expires, you will be barred from ever bringing a claim. You only have a certain amount of time to go to court and seek compensation for your car accident injury claim. If you wait and don’t reach out to a lawyer immediately, you might miss out on the possibility of attaining financial restitution. That is why we urge you to call our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers as soon as possible and discuss your situation and legal options.