Pedestrian Accidents: What to Expect and What to Do and Injuries

Understanding the types of injuries that commonly result from pedestrian accidents, and knowing exactly what steps to take in the aftermath, can make a critical difference in both your physical recovery and your ability to seek the compensation you deserve.

Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering conditions requiring years of treatment and rehabilitation. Even low-speed collisions can cause serious harm, because the human body simply cannot withstand the force generated by even a slow-moving vehicle. The most common categories of injury include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious consequences of a pedestrian accident. A TBI occurs when an external force — such as a blow to the head from a vehicle, the ground, or another object — causes damage to the brain. In pedestrian accidents, TBIs frequently result from the initial impact with the vehicle and a secondary impact when the victim hits the pavement.

Common symptoms of a TBI include:

• Dizziness and disorientation
• Persistent headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty with concentration, memory, or speech
• Fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• In severe cases: paralysis, loss of consciousness, or coma

One of the most dangerous aspects of a TBI is that symptoms may not appear immediately. A pedestrian who feels “fine” at the scene of the accident may not realize the extent of their injury for hours or even days. This is why seeking medical attention right away — even if you feel well — is absolutely critical after any pedestrian accident involving a blow to the head.

Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries

Pedestrian accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States, accounting for more than 10% of all spinal cord injuries annually. The violent force of a vehicle impact can fracture vertebrae, herniate discs, or sever or compress the spinal cord itself — any of which can have permanent consequences.

Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, and other serious long-term complications. Even injuries that do not involve the spinal cord itself — such as whiplash, herniated cervical discs, or lumbar strain — can cause debilitating neck and back pain that persists for months or years after the accident.

Beyond the physical toll, spinal injuries frequently impose an enormous financial burden. The cost of acute care, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical management for a serious spinal injury can reach into the hundreds of thousands — or millions — of dollars over a lifetime. Victims may also face lost income if their injuries prevent them from returning to work.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures are one of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents. The lower extremities — legs, ankles, feet, and hips — are particularly vulnerable, as they often bear the direct force of the vehicle’s bumper or grille. Upper extremity fractures to the arms, wrists, and shoulders frequently occur as victims instinctively extend their arms to break their fall.

Pelvic fractures are also common and can be especially serious, as the pelvis protects many vital organs and major blood vessels. Rib fractures can puncture lungs or damage internal organs. Even fractures that appear straightforward can lead to complications including infection, nerve damage, improper healing, or the need for surgical intervention such as pins, plates, or joint replacement.

Abrasions, Lacerations, and Soft Tissue Injuries

Road rash — abrasions caused when skin is scraped across asphalt or concrete — is extremely common in pedestrian accidents. While it may sound minor, severe abrasions can penetrate deep layers of skin, carry a high risk of infection, and result in permanent scarring. Lacerations from broken glass, vehicle components, or ground contact can similarly range from superficial to deep wounds requiring surgical closure.

Musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries — including sprains, strains, and torn ligaments or tendons — are also frequent. These injuries can be more disabling than they initially seem, particularly when they affect major joints such as the knee, shoulder, or ankle. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, soft tissue injuries can become chronic conditions that interfere with mobility and quality of life for years.

Psychological Trauma

The impact of a pedestrian accident is not limited to the physical body. Many survivors experience significant psychological trauma in the aftermath of a collision, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and a persistent fear of traffic or crossing the street. These are serious, medically recognized conditions that deserve the same attention and treatment as physical injuries — and they are equally compensable in a personal injury claim.

If you are experiencing emotional distress, flashbacks, sleep problems, or difficulty returning to normal daily activities after a pedestrian accident, speak with both a medical professional and an attorney. Your psychological injuries are real, and you should not have to bear that burden alone.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

The moments, hours, and days after a pedestrian accident are critical — both for your health and for your ability to pursue a legal claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself.

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

This is the single most important step you can take after a pedestrian accident. Even if you do not feel seriously hurt, go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility right away. As outlined above, many of the most serious pedestrian accident injuries — including TBIs and internal injuries — may not produce obvious symptoms for hours or days after the collision.

Getting evaluated promptly serves two purposes: it ensures any hidden injuries are identified and treated quickly, and it creates a contemporaneous medical record that documents the injuries you sustained. If you delay seeking treatment, the driver’s insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were not as serious as you claim.

2. Call the Police

Request that a police officer respond to the scene so an official accident report can be filed. The police report will document the time, location, and circumstances of the crash, identify the involved parties, and may include the responding officer’s preliminary assessment of what occurred. This report is a foundational piece of evidence in any personal injury claim.

3. Gather Information and Evidence

If your injuries allow, collect as much information as possible at the scene:

• Driver information: Name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance carrier and policy number.
• Witness information: Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened. Eyewitness accounts can be invaluable.
• Photographs: Document the accident scene, the vehicle involved, any visible injuries, crosswalk and traffic signal conditions, and road conditions. Take photos from multiple angles.
• Video footage: Note any nearby businesses, ATMs, traffic cameras, or residences that may have recorded the accident. This footage can disappear quickly — your attorney can act fast to preserve it.

If you are too injured to gather information yourself, do not worry. A police report will capture much of what you need, and an experienced attorney can investigate the accident on your behalf.

4. Do Not Admit Fault

At the scene, avoid making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault — even something as simple as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see the car.” New York’s comparative negligence system means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to significant compensation. Let the investigation determine what happened before drawing any conclusions about fault.

5. Keep Records of Everything

From the moment of the accident forward, keep detailed records of all medical visits, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and bills. Document any days of work you miss and any activities you are unable to perform because of your injuries. Keep a journal of your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injuries are affecting your daily life. All of this documentation strengthens your claim and helps ensure that no element of your damages is overlooked.

6. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Pedestrian accident cases are legally complex. Insurance companies — even the driver’s own insurer — will often move quickly to minimize the value of your claim, dispute the severity of your injuries, or shift blame onto you. Having an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner from the start levels the playing field.

An attorney can investigate the accident, preserve critical evidence, handle all communications with insurance adjusters, calculate the full value of your damages (including future medical costs and lost earning capacity), and fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to under New York law — whether through a settlement or in court.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a driver’s negligence, do not wait. The sooner you act, the stronger your case. At Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices, our team has spent decades helping injured New Yorkers recover the compensation they deserve — and we are ready to help you.