Why Pedestrian Accidents In Van Nuys Can Cause Serious Injuries
Pedestrians in Van Nuys regularly walk near busy intersections, shopping areas, schools, bus stops, residential streets, and major traffic corridors. Most trips happen without incident, but when a person on foot is struck by a vehicle, the lack of physical protection can result in serious injuries even when the collision occurs over a relatively short distance.
DAG Law Firm, APC represents people injured in pedestrian accidents throughout Los Angeles and California. Learn more about our pedestrian accident practice. You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Call (323) 930-2020 or contact DAG Law Firm today to discuss your situation.
Pedestrians Have Little Physical Protection
People inside vehicles are surrounded by the structure of the vehicle and may have seat belts and airbags. Pedestrians do not have those protections when a collision occurs.
A pedestrian may be struck directly by the front or side of a vehicle and then fall onto the roadway or another surface. This combination of impacts can contribute to injuries involving several parts of the body.
Vehicle Speed Can Affect Injury Severity
Vehicle speed can influence both the force of a collision and the amount of time a driver has to react before impact. A faster-moving vehicle may also carry a pedestrian farther after the initial contact.
Speed is only one factor in determining how an accident occurred. Vehicle movement, visibility, traffic conditions, driver actions, and the pedestrian’s location may also be relevant.
Turning Vehicles At Intersections
Pedestrian collisions can occur when a driver turns while a person is crossing nearby. Drivers may be watching approaching traffic, traffic signals, or other vehicles and fail to recognize a pedestrian in time.
The circumstances can differ significantly from one intersection accident to another. Learn more about California crosswalk accident claims and pedestrian right-of-way issues.
Distracted Driving And Pedestrian Visibility
A distracted driver may fail to recognize a pedestrian entering a crosswalk, walking near the roadway, or crossing a driveway. Phones, navigation systems, conversations, and other distractions can reduce attention at moments when quick reactions are necessary.
Distraction should not automatically be assumed after a collision. Witnesses, video, vehicle movements, and other available evidence may help establish what occurred.
Head And Brain Injuries
A pedestrian may suffer a head injury from the initial vehicle impact or from striking the pavement afterward. Injuries can range from concussions to more serious traumatic brain injuries depending on the circumstances.
Symptoms and recovery vary significantly from person to person. Learn more about California brain injury claims and DAG Law Firm’s brain injury practice.
Fractures And Orthopedic Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can cause fractures of the legs, arms, hips, ribs, or other bones. Knee, shoulder, and joint injuries may also occur when the body is struck or a person falls onto the roadway.
Some injuries may require surgery, physical therapy, mobility assistance, or extended recovery. The medical consequences depend on the type and severity of the trauma.
Secondary Impact With The Roadway
The initial contact with a vehicle may not be the only source of injury. A pedestrian can also be thrown or knocked onto pavement, curbs, parked vehicles, or other objects.
This secondary impact can contribute to head, back, shoulder, and extremity injuries. Accident reconstruction, photographs, damage patterns, and witness accounts may sometimes provide context about the sequence of events.
Evidence After A Van Nuys Pedestrian Accident
Evidence may include photographs, witness information, collision reports, medical records, vehicle damage, and surveillance or dashboard-camera footage when available.
Van Nuys contains numerous businesses, apartment buildings, parking areas, and residential properties where cameras may sometimes capture nearby traffic. The availability of footage varies, and recordings may not be retained indefinitely.
Medical Bills, Lost Income And Recovery
A serious pedestrian accident can lead to emergency treatment, diagnostic testing, specialist appointments, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and other medical expenses. Some injured people may also lose income because they cannot return to work normally during recovery.
Other consequences may include pain, reduced mobility, and changes in daily activities. Learn more about common injuries in California pedestrian accident cases and how pedestrian accident cases may be evaluated.
Resources And How DAG Law Firm Can Help
DAG Law Firm, APC represents pedestrians injured in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, and communities throughout California. Our team can review how the collision occurred, available evidence, injuries, medical treatment, insurance coverage, lost income, and other circumstances that may affect a particular case.
Learn more about what to do after a pedestrian accident, pedestrian accident liability, crosswalk accidents, hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, common pedestrian injuries, and deadlines that may apply after a pedestrian accident.
You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Call (323) 930-2020 or contact DAG Law Firm today to discuss a Van Nuys pedestrian accident.
