Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Ponte Vedra Beach
A preliminary report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed that Florida has the second-highest per capita rate of pedestrian fatalities and the second-highest overall number of pedestrian deaths in the nation. The report estimates that 899 pedestrians lost their lives in Florida pedestrian accidents in 2021.
Not all pedestrian accidents are fatal, though. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles in Ponte Vedra Beach may suffer various injuries. These range from minor bumps and bruises to severe head and spine trauma. Because the severity of injuries is not always immediately known after a crash, getting medical help quickly is usually advisable.
Factors Impacting Injury Severity in Ponte Vedra Beach Pedestrian Accidents
There are a number of factors that impact the severity of your injuries in a pedestrian accident. Some of these factors are under your control, but many are beyond your ability to determine. These factors include:
Physical Health Factors
Your physical health plays a significant role in determining the severity of your injuries in a pedestrian crash.
If you are young and in general good health, you may escape suffering severe and disabling injuries. Conversely, even a low-speed collision may be devastating to an older individual who is in poor health or has pre-existing health concerns.
Factors About the Vehicle
Bigger vehicles that are traveling faster at the time of the collision will cause injuries that are more severe. Collisions between pedestrians and large buses or trucks can be fatal or lead to permanent injuries, while a low-speed collision between a pedestrian and a small compact car may cause only minor injuries.
Common Injuries Following Pedestrian Collisions
Following a Ponte Vedra Beach pedestrian accident, you should take special care to ensure any injuries you sustain receive appropriate treatment. It is common to not fully appreciate the extent of your injuries due to adrenaline. Whenever in doubt, you should seek medical advice and attention.
Bumps, Bruises, and Broken Bones
Some pedestrian collisions may leave you with superficial injuries that require little or no medical attention. Such minor injuries are especially likely if the collision occurs at an extremely low speed and involves a small vehicle like a bicycle or motorcycle. Such bumps, bruises, and cuts may require first aid and nothing more.
A 2007 report entitled “Pedestrian Injuries: Emergency Care Considerations” in the California Journal of Emergency Medicine found that musculoskeletal injuries like broken bones were present in over 40 percent of pedestrian accidents. These broken bones and fractures require medical attention to heal properly.
Head Injuries and Back Injuries
The same article in the California Journal of Emergency Medicine found that head injuries and injuries to the back occurred in over 25 percent of pedestrian accidents.
Head injuries can include blunt force traumatic brain injuries. If not treated properly and promptly by qualified medical personnel, certain traumatic brain injuries can lead to permanent disability.
If you are thrown to the ground by a forceful impact with a car, your back may also be injured, in addition to your head. Spinal cord injuries can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis, depending on the location of the injury and the extent of damage to the spinal cord.
Pedestrian Accidents in Ponte Vedra Beach Can Cause Other Challenges
Beyond physical injuries to your head, spine, and body, a pedestrian accident can also cause you emotional distress. You may feel less safe or confident when walking, especially near where you were struck.
Just like for physical injuries, you should take care and seek appropriate help if you find yourself mentally or emotionally upset by your pedestrian accident.
Contact the Jacksonville Pedestrian Accident Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra pedestrian accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167