What Damages Could I Receive If I Have Been Hit By a Motor Vehicle?
Walking is a wonderful form of exercise and a great, eco-friendly way to get around, but walking around cars can present hazards. Each year, close to 6,000 pedestrians are killed in traffic-related accidents across the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This equates to one pedestrian dying in a crash approximately every 1.5 hours. In addition to those pedestrians killed, hundreds of thousands of other pedestrian are seriously injured. In a crash involving a car and a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian that generally ends up with catastrophic injuries. Below, our New Mexico personal injury lawyers discuss the causes of pedestrian accidents and potential damages in a pedestrian accident case.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are several common causes of pedestrian accidents, including:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving has become an epidemic problem. When drivers are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise looking elsewhere besides the road ahead, they may not notice a pedestrian crossing ahead.
- Speeding: Drivers who are traveling too fast for the roads they are on may not be able to stop in time to avoid pedestrians near the road or in a crosswalk. Speeding cars can inflict deadly injuries to pedestrians.
- Unmarked crosswalks: Intersections are a top area for pedestrian accidents. Signaled crosswalks can greatly reduce the risk of accidents, but many unmarked crosswalks still exist. Avoid crossing the road in an unmarked crosswalk whenever possible.
Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Pedestrian accidents can leave pedestrians with broken bones, concussions, bruising and lacerations, internal organ damage, and many other serious injuries. Pedestrian accident-related injuries can leave the victims with tremendous losses. In New Mexico, pedestrian accident victims can potentially seek damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages. Each pedestrian accident is unique and your exact damages will depend on the facts surrounding the accident as well as your losses. Your pedestrian accident attorney will review the circumstances surrounding your case and assist you in pursuing the funds to which you are entitled.
Posted in: Personal Injury