Pedestrian accidents happen often and when a pedestrian is struck by a car, the consequences can be devastating.
Unlike drivers and passengers, pedestrians have no seatbelt, airbag, or vehicle frame to absorb the force of impact. Even a collision at a relatively modest speed can cause serious injuries, long-term disability, or death.
Recent pedestrian accidents in Ottawa are a sobering reminder of the risks pedestrians face. CTV News reported that a man suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Bronson Avenue and was taken to a trauma centre for treatment: Man suffers serious injuries after being struck by vehicle on Bronson Avenue. In another tragic case, CTV News reported that a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 174: 1 dead after crash involving pedestrian on Hwy. 174.
While every collision is different, certain injuries are commonly seen when pedestrians are hit by cars.
A pedestrian may
This can result in concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeding, facial fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
Some head injuries are immediately obvious. Others may develop or become more noticeable in the hours or days after the collision. Symptoms such as:
should always be taken seriously.
Traumatic brain injuries can have lasting effects on a person’s ability to work, care for family members, drive, socialize, and manage daily activities.
Even a so-called “mild” concussion can cause significant disruption when symptoms persist.
The legs often absorb the first impact, especially when the front bumper strikes the pedestrian’s lower body. This can lead to fractures of the:
Upper-body fractures can also occur when a pedestrian lands on the vehicle, the roadway, or another hard surface. Injuries may involve the:
These injuries often require surgery, casting, bracing, physiotherapy, and extended time away from work.
In more severe cases, a person may be left with chronic pain, reduced mobility, arthritis, scarring, hardware complications, or permanent physical restrictions.
A person may be thrown into the air, twisted, knocked to the ground, or struck in a way that causes injury to the spine.
These injuries can range from
Neck and back injuries may interfere with sleep, mobility, work, lifting, sitting, standing, and ordinary household activities.
In the most serious cases, spinal cord trauma can result in partial or complete paralysis.
Even where there is no paralysis, chronic back or neck pain can be life-altering and may require ongoing treatment.
A pedestrian may appear alert after a collision but still have internal bleeding, organ damage, rib fractures, a collapsed lung, abdominal trauma, or other life-threatening injuries.
Chest and abdominal injuries may occur when the person is struck directly by the vehicle, thrown onto the hood, crushed, or lands heavily on the pavement.
Symptoms such as:
should be treated as urgent.
Because internal injuries can deteriorate quickly, emergency medical assessment is critical after a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle.
Pedestrians often suffer:
These injuries may come from the initial impact, contact with broken glass, being thrown onto the roadway, or sliding along pavement.
Some soft-tissue injuries heal with time and treatment. Others lead to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, scarring, nerve sensitivity, or ongoing functional limitations.
Road rash and lacerations can also create infection risks and may leave permanent visible scars.
The emotional impact of being hit by a car can be profound. Many injured pedestrians experience:
These psychological injuries can be just as disruptive as physical injuries. A person may avoid walking near traffic, feel unsafe in public spaces, or struggle with the memory of the collision.
Where the collision caused catastrophic injuries or involved a fatality, the emotional consequences for survivors and family members can be severe.
Some pedestrian collisions result in death, particularly where the vehicle is travelling at higher speeds or the pedestrian suffers catastrophic head, chest, or multi-system trauma. The Highway 174 collision reported by CTV News is an example of the tragic consequences that can follow when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle: 1 dead after crash involving pedestrian on Hwy. 174.
Fatal pedestrian collisions often leave families facing grief, funeral expenses, lost financial support, and unanswered questions about how the crash occurred.
In many cases, a full investigation is needed to determine what happened, including:
After a pedestrian is struck by a car, immediate medical attention is important even if the person believes the injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries become more apparent only after time passes.
Ongoing medical follow-up also helps document the nature of the injuries, the treatment required, and the impact on the person’s daily life. This can be important for recovery, insurance claims, accident benefits, and any potential personal injury claim arising from the collision.
Medical records, imaging, specialist reports, physiotherapy notes, occupational therapy assessments, and psychological treatment records can all help show how the collision affected the injured person’s health, employment, independence, and quality of life.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on the road. A driver may walk away from a collision with little or no injury, while the pedestrian may face months or years of recovery.
The Bronson Avenue collision reported by CTV News, where a man suffered serious injuries and was taken to a trauma centre, illustrates how quickly a pedestrian crash can become a medical emergency: Man suffers serious injuries after being struck by vehicle on Bronson Avenue.
For injured pedestrians, the aftermath can include hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, income loss, pain, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about the future. Understanding the common injuries associated with pedestrian collisions is an important first step in recognizing the seriousness of these claims and the support injured people may need during recovery.
If you or someone close to you has been injured as a pedestrian, speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand what steps may be available after the collision. You can contact Bergeron Clifford to discuss the situation, or complete the firm’s online intake forms to begin sharing information about the accident and injuries.
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