Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if a loved one dies from the injuries sustained in a serious accident while the case is pending?”
A child was struck and killed by a vehicle when crossing a road in Mt. Pleasant, N.C. The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at about 3:48 pm on Mt. Pleasant Road. According to news reports of the accident, the child had just been dropped off by a school bus at a driveway. The school bus continued on its way and the child re-crossed the street to go to the mailbox. The child was hit by a Honda passenger vehicle.
Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina
Accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists have been on the rise for a number of years. Pedestrian accidents are extremely dangerous because people do not have any protection from injuries when they are walking or biking. North Carolina statistics show that on average, about 160 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists each year are killed on our roadways. This makes North Carolina one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. These numbers represent about 15% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
There are a number of reasons that pedestrian accidents occur. Some factors that may contribute to accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Distracted driving has become a serious concern as more drivers and pedestrians are distracted while using cell phones. Although North Carolina does not allow it, many people text while they are behind the wheel. This can cause the driver to lose focus on the road and they are not able to appropriately respond to dangerous situations.
Many pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, often when a driver is making a turn. Some crashes happen at bus stops or parking lots. Large SUVs may not see pedestrians clearly due to blind spots. Although most pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas, they can also occur in more rural locations. These areas may have poor lighting, higher speed limits, and fewer places for people to walk, bike, or cross the road.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
An accident between a vehicle and a person often results in severe or life-threatening injuries or fatalities. If the victim survives, he could be facing lengthy and expensive medical treatment and ongoing care. The police will investigate the crash and make a report. The victim should always seek immediate medical treatment, even if they do not feel hurt right away. Some injuries, such as internal injuries and head trauma, can develop in the hours or even days after an accident and require care.
The negligent driver should be held responsible for your damages. Damages are any expenses or trauma caused by the crash. An experienced attorney will handle your case and help you get compensation for your injuries including such things as medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You should not have to deal with the stress of negotiating a settlement while you focus on your recovery.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, do not delay. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/law-enforcement/state-highway-patrol
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/school-bus-stop-sign-1317409
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