As a bustling Atlanta suburb, Alpharetta sees plenty of pedestrian activity. Unfortunately, pedestrians must share roads with vehicular traffic, often leading to accidents and injuries. When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, they can sustain major trauma with long-term effects. Understanding the types of injuries pedestrians commonly suffer in Alpharetta can help highlight the need for safer roads and crosswalks.
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Head and Brain Injuries
When pedestrians are hit by cars, they are most likely to strike their head on the vehicle or pavement. This can lead to varying degrees of head and brain trauma:
- Concussions – Trauma causing impairment or loss of consciousness, memory problems, dizziness, headaches, and confusion. Can have lasting post-concussion syndrome.
- Traumatic brain injuries – More severe injury to the brain leading to cognitive deficits, personality changes, loss of motor control, and more. Requires extensive rehabilitation.
- Skull fractures – Cracks or breaks in the skull that may require surgery to implant plates or mesh screens. Risks bleeding, tearing of the brain tissue and infection.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head injuries account for 60% of pedestrian fatalities in motor vehicle accidents. Immediate medical attention is essential.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
The impact of being struck by a vehicle can cause severe damage to the spine and back, including:
- Spinal cord contusions – Bruising of the spinal cord causing numbness, tingling, weakness or paralysis in extremities. May require surgery and rehabilitation.
- Vertebral fractures – Breaks in the bones of the spinal column, often requiring stabilization through spinal fusion. Risks permanent disability.
- Herniated discs – Forceful blow causes discs between vertebrae to rupture, putting pressure on nerves. Causes severe pain, numbness and restricted mobility.
- Spinal cord lacerations – Cutting or tearing of spinal cord tissue, frequently resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Spinal injuries can profoundly impact a pedestrian’s mobility and quality of life long-term.
Orthopedic Injuries
Pedestrians’ arms and legs are also vulnerable to all manner of breaks, fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, tendon damage, abrasions, and amputation injuries during collisions, including:
- Broken ribs
- Fractured pelvis
- Fractured arms / legs
- Torn knee or shoulder ligaments
- Dislocated joints
- Amputated toes or limbs
According to NHTSA, lower extremity fractures are suffered in over 78% of pedestrians struck by vehicles. These orthopedic injuries often require extensive surgery and rehabilitation.
Internal Organ Damage
The severe external impact of a pedestrian collision also frequently inflicts internal damage to vital organs:
- Lung contusion – Bruising and bleeding in the lung tissue, causing difficulty breathing and blood in cough.
- Splenic rupture – Tearing of the spleen from trauma, requiring urgent surgery and possible splenectomy.
- Liver laceration – Cut or torn liver tissue causing severe internal bleeding, managed through surgery.
- Bladder / kidney rupture – Blunt force splits bladders or kidney, spilling urine into abdomen. Surgery needed to repair organs.
- Aortic dissection or rupture – Force tears the lining of the major artery carrying blood from the heart, necessitating immediate vascular surgery.
Multi-system trauma like this requires rapid trauma care to address the various affected organs.
Psychological Trauma
In addition to physical harm, pedestrians who are struck by vehicles often suffer severe emotional and psychological trauma, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias about walking or crossing streets
Counseling and therapy are usually necessary to process the mental toll of the traumatic event.
FAQs: Pedestrian Injury Accidents in Alpharetta
What should I do if injured as a pedestrian in Alpharetta?
Seek medical care immediately, even if you don’t feel severe pain as adrenaline may be masking serious injury. Report the crash to police and document the driver’s insurance information. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue compensation.
How long do I have to file a claim after a pedestrian accident?
In Georgia, you normally have 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian crash, under the statute of limitations. An attorney can advise you based on any exceptions.
What damages can I recover after a pedestrian accident?
You are entitled to collect damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and other losses stemming from the at-fault driver’s negligence.
