What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

When a vehicle hits a pedestrian, the conversation turns to the most obvious injuries—those involving trauma to the head, legs, and pelvis. Yet, many of the most serious injuries do not show symptoms for days or even weeks. These include traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and spinal cord injuries.

The challenge is that the adrenaline from the incident masks initial pain, and some conditions, like concussions or internal bleeding, have delayed onset symptoms.

This creates a dangerous gap where you might think you are fine, while the clock is ticking on both your health and your ability to document the harm done. 

If you have a question about an injury you or a loved one sustained after being hit by a car, call us at (858) 529-5872.

Why an Injury’s Full Impact Isn’t Always Obvious

After being hit by a car, your body’s natural fight-or-flight response floods your system with adrenaline. This chemical rush is a survival mechanism that effectively numbs you to even severe pain. You might walk away from the scene feeling shaken but okay, only to have serious symptoms flare up hours or days later.

This delay creates a false sense of security. You might postpone seeing a doctor, thinking you have avoided serious harm. However, this gap between the incident and the onset of clear symptoms is when significant damage worsens. Meanwhile, insurance companies for the at-fault party may use this delay to argue your injuries are not related to the accident at all.

What does this mean for you? Seeking a thorough medical evaluation immediately is the only way to identify underlying issues before they become more dangerous. This also creates a direct, medical link between the accident and your injuries, which is foundational for any personal injury claim.

Common Delayed-Onset Symptoms to Monitor:

• Headaches or Dizziness: Could indicate a concussion or a more severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Neck or Shoulder Pain: A classic sign of whiplash, where the soft tissues are strained.
• Abdominal Pain: Serves as a warning sign of internal bleeding or organ damage, which is a medical emergency.
• Numbness or Tingling: Suggests nerve damage, possibly from a herniated disc in your spine pressing on a nerve.
• Changes in Mood or Sleep: These are symptoms of post-traumatic stress or a TBI.

Catastrophic Injuries That Reshape Your Future

While some injuries heal with time, others leave permanent changes that affect every part of your life. These are known as catastrophic injuries, and they demand a deep understanding of long-term medical and financial needs.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

What it is: A TBI occurs when an external force impacts the head, causing the brain to strike the inside of the skull. This is common when a pedestrian's head hits the vehicle's hood or the pavement.

The long-term impact: Severe TBIs lead to permanent cognitive deficits, personality changes, memory loss, and a complete loss of independence, requiring lifelong care. These injuries increase the risk for later conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and shorten a person's life expectancy.

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)

What it is: The force from an impact fractures vertebrae or damages the spinal cord, disrupting communication between the brain and the body. Pedestrians are at high risk for these injuries because of their lack of protection.

The long-term impact: Depending on the location of the injury, an SCI results in partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), requiring mobility aids, home modifications, and constant medical support.

Amputation and Crush Injuries

What it is: The immense force of a vehicle crushes limbs, sometimes so severely that surgical amputation is the only option.

The long-term impact: This involves not just the physical loss but also the cost of prosthetics, extensive physical therapy, and the psychological adjustment to a new way of life.

Severe Fractures (e.g., Pelvic or Compound Fractures)

What it is: The pelvis and leg bones (femur, tibia) are frequently broken in pedestrian accidents. Compound fractures, where the bone breaks the skin, carry a high risk of infection.

The long-term impact: Pelvic fractures, in particular, may require multiple surgeries and lead to chronic pain and mobility issues that last for years.

The "Invisible" Injuries: What You Cannot See Hurts You Most

Not all life-altering injuries involve casts or visible wounds. Internal and psychological injuries are just as real and are even more difficult to prove.

Because there are no outward signs, you might feel pressured to "tough it out." Friends, family, or even the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster might downplay your complaints of pain or anxiety. This pressure leads you to accept a quick, low settlement that fails to account for the long road of recovery ahead.

Recognizing and documenting these "invisible" injuries is a primary focus of our work. We connect our clients with medical professionals who diagnose these conditions and explain their long-term effects.

A Closer Look at Invisible Injuries:

• Internal Organ Damage & Bleeding: The blunt force of a collision damages the spleen, liver, or kidneys. Symptoms like abdominal pain or deep bruising may be the only signs of this life-threatening condition.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: This includes tears or severe sprains to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Injuries like a torn ACL in the knee require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, resulting in lasting instability or arthritis.
• Psychological and Emotional Trauma:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The terror of the event causes flashbacks, severe anxiety, and nightmares that interfere with daily life.
• Anxiety and Depression: It is common to develop a fear of crossing streets or being near traffic. The chronic pain and financial stress also lead to clinical depression.

How Do Age and Physical Condition Change a Pedestrian Injury Case?

Every pedestrian accident is unique because every person’s body responds differently to trauma. A healthy 25-year-old struck at a low speed may walk away bruised, while the same impact could send an older adult or child to the ICU. The law recognizes these differences, and so does medicine. When we assess a case, we don’t just look at the collision—we look at who was hurt and how their body absorbs that impact.

When the Victim Is a Child

Children are smaller, lighter, and have less developed muscles and bones, which means they absorb the full force of impact more directly. Even at lower speeds, a child’s head or chest is more likely to take the brunt of the hit. This makes injuries such as traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, and growth plate fractures far more common.

A child’s recovery also brings unique challenges. Doctors must consider how an injury today might affect future growth or cognitive development. For example, a broken leg that heals improperly can cause a lifelong limp. A concussion at a young age can interfere with learning for years. These long-term effects are part of the claim’s value, even if the symptoms appear manageable now.

Parents or guardians file these claims on behalf of the child, and California law typically protects the settlement until the child turns 18. This ensures that the funds are available for future care, therapy, or education needs that arise because of the injury.

When the Victim Is an Older Adult

Older pedestrians are the most vulnerable group on the road. Slower reaction times, reduced balance, and fragile bones make even a low-speed collision catastrophic. A fractured hip can lead to surgery, loss of mobility, and months of rehabilitation. Internal bleeding, often subtle at first, can become fatal if not treated immediately.

We frequently see cases where an older adult initially felt “just sore,” went home, and days later was hospitalized for internal injuries. That delay not only complicates medical recovery but also gives insurance companies room to question whether the crash caused the injuries. A clear and prompt medical record is therefore key to protecting both health and legal rights.

From a compensation standpoint, these cases require careful documentation of how the injury changed daily life. The claim must account for the need for in-home caregivers, physical therapy, assistive devices, and the emotional cost of losing independence.

When the Victim Has a Disability or Pre-Existing Condition

If you were already managing a disability before being struck, the law still protects your right to recovery. California follows what’s called the “eggshell plaintiff rule.” It simply means the person who caused your injury is responsible for the full extent of the harm, even if your body was more fragile than the average person’s.

For example, if someone with brittle bone disease suffers a fracture that would not have occurred in a healthy adult, the at-fault driver is still responsible. The same principle applies to people who rely on wheelchairs, mobility aids, or have limited vision or hearing. In fact, those factors often make crossings riskier, so drivers have an even higher duty to exercise caution.

Insurance adjusters sometimes argue that part of your pain or impairment was “already there.” That is where detailed medical records and expert opinions matter. By comparing your condition before and after the accident, we show exactly how the crash worsened your health and what that means for your long-term well-being.

Beyond Medical Bills: The Financial Injuries You Will Face

The physical recovery is only half the story. The financial pressure starts almost immediately and quickly becomes a crisis for your family.

We meticulously calculate damages across several categories:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial hospitalization and surgeries to future needs like physical therapy, prescription medications, and potential future operations.
• Lost Wages: The income you lose while unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you are entitled to compensation for the income you will lose over the course of your career.
• Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.

Don’t Let Uncertainty Define Your Recovery

Your primary job is to heal. Our job is to build the case that secures the resources you need to do that. We have years of experience handling claims for people who have been injured in pedestrian accidents. We will handle the paperwork, the investigators, and the insurance companies.If you have questions about your injuries and your rights, the next step is to get clear answers. Call Car Crash Ash Accident Lawyer for a straightforward evaluation of your case at (858) 529-5872.