Pedestrian accidents are a huge concern in the US. In 2022, the number of pedestrian accident fatalities hit a four-decade high of over 7,500.
Crossing the road in pedestrian-crossing zones eliminates or, at the very least, reduces the chances of a pedestrian being involved in an accident. Despite the best legal provisions in place, accidents do happen, and one of the most visible and devastating effects of such an accident is disfigurement.
Pedestrian accident victims who’ve suffered serious injuries must get in touch with a legal professional. Experienced pedestrian accident attorneys possess the knowledge and skill to get fair compensation for victims.
The following sections talk about disfigurement due to pedestrian accidents in detail.
Causes of Disfigurement in Pedestrian Accidents
1. Direct Impact:
In a vehicle-pedestrian collision, the striking force can lead to several injuries, such as
- Facial fractures
- Cuts on the skin
- Deep tissue injuries
These injuries tend to leave a permanent scar on the skin.
2. Secondary Injuries:
Nonetheless, despite this force, pedestrians are often thrown onto the ground and other hard surfaces and therefore suffer from secondary impact injuries. These may lead to serious injuries like road rash and skin abrasions.
3. Burns
Sometimes, traffic accidents may occur between a car and a pedestrian, and, as a result, the pedestrian may sustain a burn injury. This affects the skin and deep tissues of the body, leading to scarring and even alteration of one’s image.
To manage the legalities, you need a pedestrian accident attorney who can guide you and manage the legal proceedings while you recover.
The Physical and Emotional Consequences of a Disfigurement
Disfigurement cannot be limited to the injuries that one acquires from being associated with pedestrian accidents. The roles of emotions and psychological impact, however, are no less traumatic. Victims often experience:
- Chronic Pain: Often the injured area is disfigured, and the patient will have to live with intense pain that can be treated only by regular visits to a doctor and sessions with a therapist.
- Psychological Trauma: These changes result in issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Social Isolation: Some of the effects of becoming disfigured are social because it makes victims shy, and they end up keeping to themselves, having a hard time socializing with others.
- Employment Challenges: Facial disagreement destroys one’s self-esteem, which directly impacts their confidence in searching for jobs.
Compensation for Disfigurement
Compensation for disfigurement in pedestrian accidents covers a range of expenses and losses, including:
- Medical Bills: This includes compensation for present and future treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical and emotional suffering that comes with disfigurement.
- Loss of Earnings: The amount of money the victim would’ve earned if it weren’t for the disfigurement.
- Quality of Life: Compensation for a person’s quality of life and inability to do something they once could.
Pedestrian accident attorneys can be of great help to victims in finding justice. They are vital in proving the victim’s current state and getting fair compensation from the at-fault party.
