Broken Bones After a Pedestrian Accident What Are Your Legal Options?
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Pedestrian accident broken bones can have devastating consequences, leaving you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. If you or a loved one have suffered such injuries, don’t wait get the legal help you deserve now. Our free case review connects you with experienced attorneys who specialize in pedestrian accident broken bones cases and can fight for the compensation you need to recover. Click the button below to get your free, no-obligation case review today and take the first step toward justice and financial relief.
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Table of Contents:
Understanding pedestrian accident broken bones
Pedestrian accident broken bones typically occur when a vehicle strikes someone on foot, creating an impact force strong enough to fracture limbs, ribs, or even the skull. Unlike vehicle occupants who have seatbelts, airbags, and a car frame, pedestrians have no barrier to absorb the crash. As a result, bone breaks such as broken ankles, compound fractures, comminuted fractures, and upper body fractures are common.
Because pedestrians are so exposed, even relatively modest speeds can produce severe injuries. Higher speeds exponentially increase impact force in pedestrian accidents, where a 10 mph difference can be critical. Our bones vary in density and strength, but none can safely withstand the immense force of a direct collision without risking injury. Many pedestrian accident injuries do not happen in isolation — soft tissue injuries, head trauma, brain injury, and spinal injuries can accompany broken bones. Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues throughout the body. The impact of a pedestrian accident can cause severe damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. If you were walking and suffered a fracture after being hit by a car, a specialized pedestrian accident attorney can help you evaluate the details of what happened and determine whether you may be eligible for compensation.
Many victims of pedestrian accidents develop a pervasive fear of crossing streets or being near traffic, which can limit their daily activities and independence. The emotional responses to pedestrian accidents can be as debilitating as physical injuries, affecting a person’s ability to return to everyday life and work. Victims may experience significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Depression and anxiety frequently accompany the physical and emotional challenges of recovering from serious pedestrian accident injuries. Long-term treatment for psychological injuries from pedestrian accidents often includes therapy and counseling to help individuals process their trauma and manage symptoms. The psychological impact of a pedestrian accident can lead to chronic pain conditions that affect a person’s quality of life and ability to work.
Common types of broken bones in pedestrian accidents
Some fractures happen more frequently in pedestrian collisions because of how our body is positioned when we are walking or standing. While each situation is unique, a few types of fractures show up time and again in vehicle-pedestrian crashes.
- Leg fractures: The tibia (shinbone) and fibula are especially vulnerable when a car’s bumper strikes the lower legs. Femur fractures can also occur if the impact is high-energy.
- Arm and wrist fractures: When a pedestrian throws out their arms to brace for a fall, force transfers to the wrists and forearms, increasing the likelihood of broken radius or ulna bones.
- Pelvic fractures: A direct side-impact at hip level can break pelvic bones, which often require extensive rehabilitation and may cause long-term mobility challenges. High-impact collisions often cause serious pelvic injuries that lead to long-term mobility issues.
- Rib fractures: Forceful collisions sometimes result in broken ribs, which can complicate breathing and daily movement, especially if internal organs are also injured.
- Clavicle and shoulder-region fractures: If the pedestrian is thrown forward or strikes the car hood, the collarbone and shoulder region can fracture from severe impact or awkward landing.
Each of these injuries can vary in severity. Fractures can vary significantly in severity, from simple breaks that may heal with minimal medical intervention to complex ones like compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, or comminuted fractures, where the bone shatters into multiple pieces. Some are simple fractures that heal well with proper casting or bracing, while others require surgery, metal pins, or fixation devices to ensure correct healing. These treatments often involve surgery or reconstructive surgery and ongoing medical care. The impact on your life may depend on the nature of the break and the treatments you need over the coming months.
How broken bones occur in pedestrian vehicle accidents
Broken bones arise from tremendous force applied to body parts that are not built to sustain an impact with a large moving object. Often, a vehicle pedestrian accident occurs when a negligent driver fails to yield or becomes distracted near a crosswalk. Negligence must be proven for recovery of damages after a pedestrian accident, though damages may still be recoverable in cases of comparative negligence. In other situations, a speeding driver may not see a pedestrian until the last second. Once impact happens, the force may knock you to the ground, pin you between the vehicle and another object, or even throw you several feet away.
We have also seen unfortunate scenarios around busy intersections, where pedestrians are crossing quickly to beat the light. In these cases, the lower extremities often take the brunt of the initial collision, though secondary fractures can come from landing on concrete or other debris. If you want a deeper look at intersections and crash patterns, you might explore our resource on pedestrian accident at intersection.
In each of these circumstances, broken bones result from sudden, intense pressure. The severity of the injury usually depends on vehicle speed, angle of collision, and environmental factors. SUVs and pickups are 45% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities compared to smaller cars. Even a low-speed collision can cause life-threatening internal injuries or serious bone fractures if, for instance, the victim gets pinned under the vehicle or hits the pavement at a vulnerable angle. Additionally, 75-76% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night, often due to poor visibility and inadequate street lighting.
Medical treatment and recovery for pedestrian accident fractures
After a pedestrian accident, the immediate priority is to stabilize your condition. Medical intervention for broken bones might include X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to assess the location and complexity of the fracture. Immediate medical evaluation and immediate medical attention are critical to identify any internal bleeding, organ damage, or spinal cord injuries that may not be immediately apparent but pose a significant risk.
Depending on the severity, you may receive a cast, metal rods, or surgical fixation to realign the bone fragments. Emergency surgery may be necessary for compound fractures or comminuted fractures. Recovery times vary widely. Some fractures heal within six to eight weeks under normal conditions, while complicated breaks can require several months or more of focused care. In certain cases, you may need multiple surgeries or advanced orthopedic procedures.
Physical therapy is generally recommended to regain mobility, particularly for leg or pelvic fractures that can limit mobility or significantly impair bodily functions. The recovery period for broken bones can be lengthy and painful, often necessitating physical therapy to restore full function and strength. We often speak with individuals whose day-to-day life is disrupted by these injuries. They might need help around the house, miss significant time at work, and face unexpected medical bills. Even once your bones have healed, there may be follow-up visits that include imaging and rehabilitative measures.
Confronting these realities can feel overwhelming, especially when you are also coping with post traumatic stress disorder or other mental health challenges stemming from the emotional trauma of the accident. Understanding your long-term outlook is key. Gathering medical records and speaking with a knowledgeable pedestrian accident law firm can help clarify the potential legal paths forward.
Case studies: Pedestrian accident broken bones
Changing just one detail in an accident can transform a mild injury into a life-altering condition. Consider a scenario where a middle-aged pedestrian is crossing the street at dusk. A driver, momentarily distracted by a text message, runs a stop sign and clips the pedestrian at 25 miles per hour. The victim fractures both the tibia and fibula in their right leg. After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the individual regains enough mobility to walk, but they are left with chronic pain conditions, periodic pain, and rely on a cane for stability. Their medical bills escalate, and they must reduce work hours.
Now imagine a different case. A senior citizen is struck near a busy shopping area by a car backing out of a parking space. Although the speed is relatively slow, the older pedestrian falls awkwardly and fractures a hip. For an older adult, a hip fracture can require reconstructive surgery or a full surgical replacement and heavily impact independent living. The recovery is lengthy, and the cost of home care adds up quickly. Because of the driver’s evident mistake in failing to check behind the vehicle, liability is fairly straightforward, but securing a fair settlement from insurance may still require legal support.
These examples show how each set of circumstances — location, the pedestrian’s age, the vehicle’s speed, and the negligent driver’s attention level — contributes to the harm that a victim suffers. In many cases, a pedestrian accident lawsuit gives accident survivors a path toward recovering financially from lost wages, medical care, and ongoing care.
No Win, No Fee. Let the Best Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys Fight for your Compensation!
Determining liability in pedestrian accidents
Figuring out who is legally responsible for a pedestrian accident is often more complex than it appears. Generally, drivers have a duty to watch for pedestrians, especially in crosswalks and intersections. If the driver fails to yield, is speeding, or drives recklessly, that behavior can establish fault. However, pedestrians also need to follow traffic signals and use designated crossings. There are times when both the driver and the pedestrian share responsibility, which may influence the amount of compensation awarded.
Insurance companies, law enforcement, and legal teams look at evidence such as police reports, traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, and damage patterns on the vehicle or roadway. Establishing negligence is the key to building a strong claim. Was the driver distracted by a phone? Were they under the influence? Did the pedestrian act in a way that contributed to the collision? These are questions that you, your medical team, and any legal professionals will review. We encourage you to read more about pedestrian accident liability if you have questions about how fault is determined.
Victims of pedestrian accidents may be entitled to punitive damages if the case goes to trial and the defendant’s actions were particularly negligent.
Compensation options for pedestrian accident broken bones
Securing fair compensation for pedestrian accident broken bones typically requires establishing another party’s negligence and showing the full scale of your damages. Some of the most common areas for potential compensation include:
- Medical expenses. This covers immediate and future treatment costs, hospital bills, surgeries, nursing services, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income. You may receive compensation if you cannot work during your initial recovery period or if your injury affects your ability to earn a living.
- Pain and suffering. Courts or insurance companies often consider the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the fracture and any associated head and brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.
- Other expenses. These can include home modifications, transportation to medical appointments, and other injury-related costs.
Your available options might involve filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, pursuing a personal injury lawsuit if negotiations fail to yield a fair result, or seeking a settlement through your own uninsured motorist coverage if the driver was uninsured. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply if the driver involved in a pedestrian accident is unidentified or lacks insurance. In these complex scenarios, a pedestrian accident attorney can help you figure out the best course of action. Often, individuals who work with legal counsel receive higher settlements, although every situation is different.
Pedestrian accidents can be categorized as serious injuries, often resulting in significant payouts for direct and emotional losses. Compensation for broken bones in a pedestrian accident can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Insurance considerations and negotiation tips
Dealing with insurance providers after a pedestrian hit by car scenario can be complicated. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for reasons to minimize or deny your claim. They may argue that your fracture was pre-existing, that you contributed to the accident by crossing improperly, or that your medical costs are excessive. We have seen many injured pedestrians undervalue their own claims because they do not realize the total cost of recovery.
When negotiating with an insurance company, it helps to have documented evidence of the accident, detailed medical records, and a clear timeline of treatments and expenses. Detailed documentation of medical bills and accident reports is vital for substantiating a pedestrian accident claim. Do not be afraid to seek a second opinion or further documentation if your insurer disputes costs of surgery, physical therapy, or other procedures. If the at-fault driver had no coverage, you might address the issue through your own policy by filing a pedestrian accident uninsured driver claim, assuming your plan includes that protection.
We encourage you to avoid settling too quickly. Before you sign any agreement, make sure you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Sum up all present and future financial needs, including potential follow-up surgeries or long-term therapy. Speaking to a pedestrian accident lawyer can give you insight into what a fair settlement might look like.
Special considerations for pediatric and elderly pedestrian injuries
Children are still growing, and a fracture can disrupt bone development, leading to complications that might not appear right away. Issues with growth plates, for example, can affect how the bone lengthens and may necessitate specialized orthopedic care over years. Similarly, older adults face unique difficulties since their bones are generally more fragile, and healing takes longer. A broken hip or femur for a senior might lead to complications like reduced mobility, increased fall risk, and a need for in-home or assisted living care.
These complications often make compensation negotiations more complex, because we must evaluate long-term medical and quality-of-life impacts, not merely the immediate cost of treatment. Reviewing detailed medical evaluations, gathering professional opinions, and working with a pedestrian accident law firm can help ensure that future needs are factored into any settlement or court award.
How Legal Claim Assistant can help with your pedestrian accident broken bones case
Many people are uncertain where to start once they have suffered a broken bone from a pedestrian accident. The aftermath involves doctor visits, physical therapy, and tough conversations with insurance adjusters or at-fault drivers. Our team at Legal Claim Assistant understands these hurdles, and we are here to streamline the legal process of finding reliable legal support.
We work with a network of experienced lawyers who handle pedestrian accident claims, and we connect you with professionals who can evaluate the unique facts of your case. They will review police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a strong foundation for your claim. From there, you can determine if pursuing pedestrian accident compensation or a formal legal action is your best path forward. We want you to focus on healing while the legal experts handle the complexities of filing, negotiation, or potential litigation.
If this sounds like the assistance you need, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Our goal is to simplify what can be a confusing process by ensuring you have direct access to professionals who specialize in pedestrian accidents. From fractures requiring surgical intervention to less severe sprains that still disrupt your life, you deserve informed guidance. Let us help you figure out your options, weigh the pros and cons of litigation, and find the resources you need to move beyond your injuries in the best way possible.
Please note that the statute of limitations for filing a claim in pedestrian accidents varies by state, often between 2 to 3 years from the accident date. Timely action is crucial to protect your rights and pursue compensation effectively.
No Win, No Fee. Let the Best Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys Fight for your Compensation!
