Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most dangerous car accidents because they are often unexpected and usually happen at relatively high speeds in rush hour traffic. According to the GHSA, there were 6,227 deaths resulting from pedestrian accidents in the United States in 2018. Unfortunately, this shows a 4% increase in fatalities year over year and a 35% increase since 2008.

This means that on average, 17 people lose their lives every day to pedestrian accidents. The dramatic growth in this trend over the last decade is due to the rise of distracted driving...mainly texting while driving.

When a pedestrian accident occurs, the resulting injuries can be devastating for the pedestrian, and sometimes even fatal. The driver involved is usually at fault in a pedestrian accident, and they should be held responsible for the medical expenses and suffering caused by their negligence.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian vs. car accident resulting in injuries, then you should contact an experienced Colorado pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. The faster you act, the better your chances for a successful personal injury claim that yields the maximum amount of compensation.

Pedestrian Accidents in Denver, Colorado Are Very Common

On average, every 5 years there are almost 2,000 reported crashes in Colorado involving pedestrians, comprising an average of between 300 and 400 on an annual basis.

People between the ages of 25 and 34 are the age group most often involved in pedestrian accidents in Denver, representing 21% of all pedestrian accidents in the city. This particular age group also represents the largest portion of the population.

Passenger cars and vans make up half the vehicles involved in pedestrian accidents, followed closely by SUVs, utility vans, and pickup trucks. These larger vehicles result in higher rates of injury, 67% of accidents result in injury when an SUV or pickup truck is involved compared to only 61% of accidents involving passenger cars.

There are several factors the majority of which pertain to motorists including those guilty of:

1. Distracted driving

2. Driving under the influence

3. Aggressive driving

4. Driver inexperience

Typically, distracted driving or some form of it is almost always the culprit of these types of accidents. This means that you almost always have a case to seek compensation as a victim and that the other person is almost always at fault.

There is the occasional jay-walking incident which leads to a pedestrian vs. car accident, and we have also seen a few cases involving bicyclists who were not properly following the rules of the road.

What Are the Most Common Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists?

Because of the nature of these types of accidents, there are a few main ways that they typically happen, which affects the way victims can seek compensation for their damages and trauma.

Bicycle Accidents

Colorado is known for its beautiful scenery and lovely climate...it's the perfect place for cycling enthusiasts. However, this also increases the likelihood of being in a pedestrian accident, as bicycle accidents in Denver have become increasingly more common in recent years. This type of accident can be especially dangerous because cyclists are also traveling high speeds, are high off the ground, and are typically unsuspecting of accidents before they happen.

Walking Accidents

Just walking around in the city can be dangerous sometimes. Whether it is walking dogs, shopping for something, or just on a leisurely stroll, people walking make up a large portion of the pedestrian accidents in Denver every year.

Hit and Run Pedestrian Accidents

Hit and run accidents account for 25.5% of crashes involving pedestrians. In these situations, people (usually the driver) leave the scene without following through with proper reports and protocols. In Denver specifically, 23% of all drivers who hit a pedestrian flee the scene, a statistic that hasn't changed much in the last few decades.

Crosswalk Accidents

Crosswalk accidents are some of the most common accidents because they involve drivers making right and left turns quickly, not noticing pedestrian crossing signals. In fact, 62% of all pedestrian accidents in Denver are the result of crosswalk related issues to some degree or another.

Aggressive and Negligent Driving

According to Denver Public Works, about 27% of pedestrian accidents in the city take place within 200 feet of a park or a trail. These types of crashes usually involve drivers making a left turn into a parking spot or onto a road by a trailhead.

Parked Cars and Car Door Accidents

Another commonplace for pedestrian accidents in Denver is school zones. In fact, 6% of all crashes take place within 200 feet of a Denver public school. The most common accidents include those involving parked cars or recently parked cars whose owners open the car door. These are commonly the result of negligence and distracted drivers who are simply not paying attention to their surroundings or are driving too fast in a school zone.

Common Injuries from Denver Pedestrian Accidents

As you may imagine, the rate of injuries from pedestrian accidents is quite high. This makes these types of accidents very dangerous and can also create lifelong injuries and health issues.

Approximately 60% of reported crashes in the city of Denver involving pedestrians result in injuries. In the last decade, the number of injuries from pedestrian accidents has increased annually from 215 per year upwards of 250 per year.

Speed limit plays a large role in the types of injuries sustained. Even pedestrian accidents that occur while driving at 20 miles per hour have a 13% chance of a fatality or severe injury. Driving 30 miles per hour at the time of impact increases that risk to 40%. Driving at 40 miles per hour brings the risk of fatality or severe injury up to 73%.

What are the most common injuries involved in pedestrian accidents?

Head Trauma - In any situation where a pedestrian is involved in a collision with a vehicle, traumatic brain injuries are a serious risk. Pedestrians and cyclists alike run the risk of head trauma which can be minor but if left untreated can worsen.

This typically results in concussions but can result in more serious problems like hemorrhaging and internal bleeding, sometimes even permanent brain damage. Serious enough brain injuries from pedestrian accidents can also lead to coma or even death.

Internal Injuries - In a pedestrian vs. car accident, there is a serious risk for internal bleeding, brain bleeding, and rib fractures from the impact.

Even at low speeds, the force that vehicles exert on someone can cause them a great deal of damage, particularly to bones and organs in the abdomen, which can lead to dozens of internal problems such as tears in the stomach lining, punctured lungs, artery lacerations, and more.

Bone Fractures - The most common injury suffered from pedestrian vs. car accidents is broken bones. The external force will cause broken bones particularly from the pelvic area downward, where most of the physical impact takes place.

Significant bone damage is also experienced in areas that came into contact with the ground if the pedestrian was hit with enough force to travel in the air. The hood design of most vehicles contributes to a high risk of different pelvic fractures and injuries in particular.

Lacerations - Lacerations are severe cuts that are very deep in the tissue and sometimes into the muscle of your body. These occur from pedestrian accidents as a result of the surrounding area. Usually, falling on debris nearby can cause punctures and severe lacerations to the victims.

Sometimes, lacerations can be so bad that they result in amputation or even death from bleeding out.

Wrongful Death from Pedestrian Accidents

In the most severe pedestrian accidents involving vehicles, wrongful death can result. This is an extremely unfortunate circumstance that can leave a family shocked and in disarray, trying to cope with a difficult situation anyone could have foreseen. In this case, you always deserve compensation for the loss of a loved one.

Denver is in the Top 6 Cities in the United States with a high pedestrian fatality rate, with an average of 7.6 pedestrian fatalities for every 10,000 pedestrian commuters. This is an extremely unfortunate statistic that leads to dozens of lives being cut short every year.

If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one from a fatal pedestrian accident in Colorado, it is important that you seek legal help immediately. At Anderson Hemmat, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers understand the grief and pain you are dealing with and will do everything in their power to help your family get the compensation and justice your family deserves.