Fractured Bones in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians struck by vehicles suffer the most catastrophic injuries. Among them are often one or more fractured or broken bones. Fractured bones are not only extremely painful but take a great deal of time to heal fully and properly. Sometimes, depending on the type of break, these injuries can cause a lasting impact on a victim. When negligent drivers are responsible for fractured bones in pedestrian accidents, they should be held legally accountable. Miami pedestrian accident attorney Robert Dixon assists victims of these accidents in pursuing the proper legal claims against those liable. Aside from medical bills, pedestrians injured in a collision with a car are often unable to work for at least a temporary period of time. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon we work tirelessly to make sure our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to and need to cope with their recovery. Our firm offers dedicated legal representation for those injured in Miami and South Florida. If you have questions about your legal options after you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact our office today and you can schedule a free consultation to learn about our services.

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are common in South Florida. Those on foot are all-too-often struck while legally crossing a street or even on a sidewalk. Careless drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, or simply do not look to see if they are present before making a traffic maneuver. Among the many serious injuries that a pedestrian victim can sustain are fractured bones.

A fracture is the medical term for when for a bone is broken after sustaining too much force. There are various different types of fractures that also vary in severity. One common fracture that pedestrian accident victims suffer is a displaced fracture, which happens upon a sudden impact. This kind of fracture refers to when a bone breaks in more than two places. When this occurs, bones shift or become misaligned, which can also affect surrounding tissue and nerves. Since a pedestrian has little to no protection against a vehicle, skull fractures leading to traumatic brain injuries may also result.

Fractured bones in pedestrian accidents are generally treated with realignment and immobilization. Immobilization for smaller fractures usually requires placing the broken bone in a cast or brace. However, a more serious fracture can require a victim to be placed into traction, where a weighted device is used to gradually realign the bones. Surgical placement of metal places, rods or screws may also be necessary to treat broken bones.

Motorists are most often the parties responsible for a pedestrian’s injuries. A victim who has sustained a broken bone as a result of someone’s negligence, may be entitled to compensation by filing a personal injury claim. These claims require the plaintiff to show that a defendant driver breached an owed duty of reasonable care. A breach of reasonable care in these situations could include drivers who cause an injury under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while texting and driving, or otherwise acting extremely carelessly while behind the wheel. The plaintiff must also show that the breach was a cause of their stated injuries and that damages were sustained as a result. These damages may include past as well as future medical expenses. Lost income, diminished earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering compensation may also be awarded to a victim in these cases.

When a pedestrian is left with one or more broken bones in an accident, they are often also left unable to work or do daily tasks while recovering. Sometimes the impact of these injuries can be permanent. A negligent motorist who has caused this suffering should bear the financial burden. Attorney Robert Dixon assists victims injured in Miami and the surrounding South Florida area with claims arising out of these types of accidents. Our firm offers compassionate and experienced representation from the beginning of investigation into the cause of a collision through to any necessary litigation. We fight for our clients’ rights to ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to from those responsible for their harm. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision as a pedestrian, please contact the Law Offices of Robert Dixon at (877) 499-4878 or online to set up a free, no obligation consultation to speak with a lawyer today.