Thousands of pedestrians lose their lives due to crashes involving motor vehicles every year. Even more, pedestrians sustain injuries as a result of traffic accidents. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a car vs. pedestrian accident, you may have wondered what happens when a car hits a road user on foot.
Car manufacturers have conducted many studies to make cars safer and reduce pedestrian fatalities. What happens during an accident when a vehicle hits a pedestrian, and how does it affect the human body?
What Happens When a Pedestrian is Hit by a Vehicle?
Witnessing a car hit a pedestrian can be traumatizing, especially if the vehicle is traveling at high speeds. A car-pedestrian accident involves three different stages listed below:
- Initial impact. During this stage, the bumper of the car makes contact with the knee joint or leg. The thigh then connects with the edge of the hood, and the body contours to the car’s front.
- The trajectory. The second stage is where the car throws the lower body forward and the upper body in relation to the vehicle. The head then hits the windshield or hood, and the body separates from the car.
- Ground contact. This is when the body lands on the ground. The distance from the initial impact point to the ground contact is known as the throw distance.
In some accidents involving buses and other large vehicles, the vehicle may knock down pedestrians and roll over them.
What Injuries Can You Sustain in a Car-Pedestrian Accident?
In most cases, the car will hit you from the side while crossing the road. The most common injuries you may sustain in this case are head injuries which mostly lead to fatalities. They include skull fractures, hemorrhages, intracranial swelling, and concussions. You can also sustain lower body injuries such as abrasions, body fractures, damaged knee ligaments, and pelvis fractures.
Torso injuries affecting the liver, lungs, rib cage, and other organs can also happen during such accidents.
The most severe injuries come about during direct contact with the vehicle and not when you land on the ground. The severity of your injuries may vary depending on the car’s speed, your age and height, the type of hood, bumper, and windshield, shape and type of the car, and your position relative to the front of the vehicle.
Contact an Attorney
Have you been involved in a car vs. pedestrian accident? You need Idaho Car Accident Lawyers to help you out. They can investigate the accident to determine fault so they can build a strong case for your claim.
They can also determine the level of compensation you need depending on your medical expenses, lost wages, physical and emotional pain, and other damages. Additionally, an attorney will take care of the negotiations, which can help if the insurance company refuses you or offers a low level of compensation than what you deserve.
In summary, car vs. pedestrian accidents can cause severe injuries and even fatalities. They include three stages, including the initial impact, trajectory, and ground contact. During such an accident, you may sustain injuries such as skull fractures, hemorrhages, intracranial swelling, body fractures, damaged knee ligaments, and pelvis fractures. When you or someone you love sustains injuries in a car vs. pedestrian accident, contact an attorney to help you get your rightful compensation.
