Pedestrian accidents can be devastating, causing life-changing accidents and huge piles of medical debt and other damages. Because of how devastating their effects are, victims also often have to deal with mental issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The shocking effects of pedestrian accidents are long-lasting and often don’t go away right after the accident occurs. If the injury is severe, the patient may have to deal with side effects for months, years, or even the rest of their life.
If they’re lucky enough to have their injury heal quickly, they still may have to deal with lasting chronic pain or lasting mental health effects, like PTSD. Each pedestrian accident is different, so it can be hard to predict exactly what each person will go through after their injury.
Statistics of Daytona Beach, Volusia County Pedestrian Accidents?
In the top 20 most dangerous places to walk in the country, Florida cities make up nine out of 20, almost half. The Orlando/Kissimmee/Sanford area comes in at number one, with 740 pedestrian fatalities from 2010-2019. The Deltona/Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach area comes in at number five, with 235 fatalities in the same time period.
The crazy part is, while the Orlando area has more fatalities within the 10-year time frame, they actually have a lower rate of fatalities per 100,000 people, at 3. The Daytona Beach area sees about 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 people. So, while Orlando sees more fatalities, they’re actually more common in Daytona beach because of the lower population.
Are traffic accidents more common beachside along Atlantic Avenue?
Atlantic Avenue is one of the more dangerous places to walk in Daytona Beach Shores. There’s fast-paced traffic and lots of people around. In total, there have been eight pedestrian fatalities in Volusia County as of May 7th, 2021.
Out of those eight fatalities so far this year, one of them occurred on Atlantic Avenue. While Atlantic Avenue is a dangerous place to walk, if you’re a pedestrian, you should focus on walking safely in all parts of the county.
What are common injuries sustained by pedestrians in Daytona Beach?
The most common injuries associated with pedestrian accidents include:
- Neck and face injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Shoulder and arm injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Internal injuries
Different injuries may have a different impact on one’s life, depending on the person. If you’re an active person, a lower limb injury may cause a larger impact than an upper limb injury would. The severity of your injuries and how they affect your life play a huge part in calculating the compensation that you’ll receive for your claim.
What to do after an injury?
After you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to follow these steps. First and foremost, you should receive immediate medical attention if necessary. If immediate medical attention isn’t necessary, you may stick around the scene of the accident and gather some information of your own.
File a Police Report
You should always file a police report. Don’t let the driver who hit you convince you not to file a police report. It will provide your case with vital evidence, documenting what the police believed happened at the scene.
Exchange Contact Information with Other Parties
You should also exchange information with the at-fault party and all other involved parties. Don’t admit to fault or apologize. Keep your conversation short and speak only about the information that requires exchange.
Collect Evidence at Scene, if Possible
Once you’ve exchanged information, take pictures, record video, and document as much as you can about the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the at-fault party’s vehicle and your injuries, as well as the location. Take notes about surrounding buildings and companies, especially if there’s a security camera in sight.
After speaking with the police and gathering information, you should speak with anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Get their information and encourage them to speak with the police. A witness statement on your side documented on a police report is nearly iron-clad evidence.
Receive Medical Attention
Once you’ve gathered everything you need from the accident, you should head to a medical center to receive medical attention. Even if you don’t believe to be injured, you should always be checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may hide under the surface or be downplayed by adrenaline.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you speak to any insurance companies, contact a pedestrian accident attorney. Insurance companies may try to get you to settle low in exchange for the signing of a waiver. To prevent yourself from accidentally damaging your case, hire an attorney first and allow them to speak with insurance companies on your behalf.
What damages can you sue for in a pedestrian accident injury claim?
There are two different types of damages that you can sue for in a pedestrian accident injury claim, economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover losses that have a monetary value tied to them, such as medical bills and lost wages.
Non-economic damages are more complex, covering things like pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, permanent disability, disfigurement, and scarring. These damages are calculated based on how much your quality of life has changed because of the accident and its resulting injuries.
Hire a Daytona Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Daytona Beach or Volusia County, please contact our talented team of attorneys for more information regarding your case.
Our team of attorneys has years of experience working with pedestrian accident victims, and our high track record shows that we can get you the compensation you deserve.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online or at 386-224-6544.
