Knoxville Pedestrian Accidents Attorney

When most people think about traffic accidents, they think about collisions between motor vehicles. However, it is estimated that a pedestrian dies every two hours in the United States in a crash related accident. During 2013, 150,000 pedestrians were treated for injuries resulting from traffic crashes and 4,735 pedestrians lost their lives. In fact, pedestrians are about one and half times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident compared to those in passenger vehicles.

Pedestrian deaths have increased significantly in Tennessee since 2012. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, 68 pedestrians died in Tennessee traffic accidents in 2012. That number has increased each year, reaching 108 pedestrian deaths in 2015. The increase in pedestrian deaths can be attributed to several factors, including but not limited to:

• A higher number of distracted drivers on our roads;
• More people choosing to walk for health, economic, and social reasons; and,
• More vehicles using the roads every day due to a better economy, lower unemployment rates, and lower gas prices.

You and your family should not be forced to bear the financial burden of a pedestrian accident caused by a distracted, reckless, or negligent driver. Contact Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC by calling (865) 737-2784 to schedule a consultation with one of our Knoxville personal injury attorneys.

Why Are Pedestrians More Susceptible To Traumatic Injuries In A Crash?

Pedestrians are at a higher risk of death and serious injury in a traffic accident for the same reason motorcyclists and bicyclists are at an increased risk — lack of protection.

Occupants of a passenger vehicle are protected by the vehicle in a collision. The vehicle takes the majority of the impact; however, a pedestrian receives the full impact of a collision. There is nothing to protect the pedestrian from the force of the impact; therefore, the injuries in a pedestrian accident tend to be catastrophic or deadly.

Common injuries in pedestrian accidents include brain injuries, spinal injuries, paralysis, internal bleeding, broken bones, and fractures. Even low-impact pedestrian accidents can result in injuries that leave the victim with permanent disabilities. A careless or distracted driver can turn your world upside down in a matter of seconds leaving you with substantial damages.