Hiring A Trusted Salinas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Motorists should always safely drive and be on the lookout for pedestrians and those crossing the streets. However, Silva Injury Law knows this only sometimes happens. As a result, our attorneys take these cases very seriously and believe in holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions.
A Salinas pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm understands the hardships and frustrations that you are going through. If you choose to hire us, we will encourage you to focus on your recovery while we handle all the details of your claim. Our attorneys will gather information, track down the individual who hit you and build a strong case against them.
Pedestrian Risks In Salinas
It is no secret that pedestrians face many risks in Salinas, California. Pedestrians often have to walk quite a ways to find a crosswalk or safe area to walk on. This reality can lead to dangerous situations for those on foot, as it only takes a few seconds for a distracted or reckless driver to make a mistake and collide with a pedestrian.
While the Salinas City Council works hard to address pedestrian safety concerns, the efforts have failed to reduce the number of pedestrians drivers hit in this area.
Laurel Drive is a very dangerous road for pedestrians. East Laurel Drive near Bolero Avenue is another location of recent pedestrian injuries. The crosswalk at North Main and Lamar is another dangerous area for pedestrians. The hit-and-run pedestrian accidents at this location include the case of a small six-year-old.
The California Office of Traffic Safety reported that 41 pedestrian accidents resulted in injury or death in Salinas in a single year. This number is alarming, and it should be enough to realize that something needs to change to prevent these types of accidents from occurring.
In the meantime, we can expect pedestrians in Salinas to continue suffering serious injuries. Silva Injury Law is ready to help when this happens.
Serious Injuries To Pedestrians
Pedestrian accident injuries can range from cuts or bruises to something as serious as a major traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or paralysis. The human body cannot handle the force of a vehicle. Therefore, when these accidents occur, the pedestrian most likely suffers severe injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, shattered bones, crush injuries, internal organ damage, and more.
Fractured or broken bones
Fractured and broken bones are some of the most common injuries pedestrians experience when struck by a vehicle. These injuries include broken and fractured fingers, arms, legs, hips, toes, and hands. People generally can handle these types of injuries, but they cause much pain, suffering, and physical therapy.
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
When an individual experiences a blow to the head, they will often have a concussion. If the pedestrian hits their head on the concrete, vehicle, or another object nearby, a doctor should always check for a concussion. A concussion can lead to temporary or permanent cognitive symptoms and impairments.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another type of head injury. It is very serious, as individuals with TBIs often have life-altering issues for the rest of their lives. Some symptoms of this type of injury are confusion, inability to concentrate, vision issues, and irritability.
Spinal cord injuries
When a lot of force hits a pedestrian, they may land on the pavement on their back. This position can lead to spinal cord injuries, which come with pain, weakness, and numbness. Some spinal injuries completely paralyze the victim, and their condition is irreversible.
Internal organ damage
An individual hit by a motor vehicle may have internal organ damage or bleeding. These injuries can come from force to the kidneys, liver, stomach, lungs, and more. Only medical imaging can identify such life-threatening injuries.
Amputation or loss of limbs
Pedestrians involved in accidents with motor vehicles might have their body parts run over. This occurrence can result in needing an amputation, which means the hospital will remove one of their limbs that surgeons cannot repair.
Neck injuries
Neck injuries develop when a person gets hit by a car with extreme force. The human body cannot handle sudden and forceful movement. Therefore, when a pedestrian accident occurs, it is common for the individual to have a broken or injured neck.
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When a person experiences severe injuries, they may become unresponsive and unable to wake up. This lack of response usually happens when a severe head or spinal injury occurs.
Always remember that most pedestrian accidents result in the victim suffering severe injuries. A passenger vehicle weighs between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds, while a human typically weighs between 100 and 300 pounds. Therefore, when a vehicle collides with a human, the result is usually severe injuries or even death.
Most serious injuries from a pedestrian accident will require costly and ongoing care. This need is especially true for catastrophic injuries, including TBIs, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis. Catastrophic injuries lead to extensive losses, and this can complicate the claim process.
Our Salinas pedestrian lawyers will accurately determine what your claim is worth, and we will fight for full financial recovery in every case.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers in Salinas should always be aware of their surroundings, check their blind spots, and prepare to slow down or stop at any given moment for pedestrians. Yet, no matter how much we advocate for drivers to do this, pedestrian accidents continue happening.
A few of the most common reasons include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Texting and driving
- Not using a signal
- Not properly yielding
- Not using any lights
- Failing to check for pedestrians before turning or switching lanes
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