How much does a road accident cost?
Road accidents can happen to anybody. Unfortunately, the stakes are higher for pedestrians. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, bicyclists and walkers accounted for over 18% of road fatalities between 2013 and 2017. Around 22%, meanwhile, suffered from severe injuries.
These rates may be high since many people in the region are pedestrians. Over 25% of the population do not have public transport, and thus, they either walk or bike.
What’s the impact of a pedestrian injury, and what’s the role a pedestrian accident lawyer in Kent play?
What Can Happen When a Pedestrian Meets an Injury?
The severity of injuries during a road accident can vary, but one thing is clear: it can be both deadly and debilitating. It doesn’t matter if it’s a side sweep, which happens when a vehicle is running fast and hits someone on the side as it passes.
Mild injuries may include a few scrapes and bruises as one falls. Moderate ones may already involve sprains, which may eventually swell and force the individual to skip work or school. Severe injuries may include head trauma, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and even death.
The more serious injuries can cost a lot of money and even a lifetime of care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), severe TBI results in over 2 million visits to the emergency room, 288,000 hospitalizations, and 57,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, the average hospitalization costs could reach up to $401,808. If the person needs therapy and long-term care, it could balloon to as much as $3 million, according to Northwestern University.
The costs of spinal cord injury are no different. Any incomplete motor function can already result in more than $300,000 expenses during the first year, says Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. For every subsequent year, it increases to $42,206. The estimated lifetime cost for a 50-year-old patient with such a disability can be $1,113,000-and this is the cheapest it can get.
Pedestrian injuries can also mean a significant loss of income or even a job. The person may need to rest for an extended period or may no longer capable of returning to work. It can also damage the patient’s self-esteem or confidence, while others eventually develop depression and anxiety. In a 2017 study, around 41% of road accident survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Within this group, over 63% also had depression.
Getting the Help
There’s no doubt that a pedestrian who meets an accident on the road must seek healthcare immediately. The protocol remains the same, even if they “feel well.” In some cases, severe injuries, such as TBI, do not manifest until later. Possible fractures may also need surgery immediately to avoid worsening the problem.
These individuals may also need the help of a traffic officer, who can document the accident, and perhaps a health insurance representative. Note, though, more than 250,000 people in the state are uninsured.
Lastly, they may have to talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer in Kent so that they can file a claim against the driver. It is a civil liability, which means it doesn’t result in imprisonment (although the complainant may also file for criminal charges). Instead, the survivor or their kin can sue the other party for negligence and damages. These damages are compensation, and they can be significantly helpful in sustaining treatments, productivity losses, and disability care of the survivor.
While accidents can be minor, health and financial impacts may not be. People from Washington may eventually need support from professionals, such as pedestrian accident lawyers.