Let's start with some fun facts about San Jose:
- San Jose was first named El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe when it was founded by the Spanish
- The city was once the capital of California
- San Jose is the 12th-largest city in the US.
- The city is said to be the home of innovation and technology
- It is a very expensive city, where housing costs are 142% more expensive than the US average
Now, here are some not-so-fun facts about San Jose:
- 32 people lost their lives in pedestrian accidents in 2022
- In September 2023, two people lost their lives in pedestrian accidents in the span of 24 hours
- So far, 23 people have died as a result of pedestrian accidents this year
Even though the number of deaths has reduced, proper action is still required. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is best to hire a San Jose pedestrian accident lawyer.
They can obtain compensation for your losses if the accident was the driver's fault.
All accidents are pretty traumatizing. Pedestrian accidents are more devastating than other accidents because there are no metal structures protecting pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents almost always result in serious losses to the victim. The following are some of the serious consequences of pedestrian accidents:
- Fatality
- Permanent disability
- Catastrophic injuries
- PTSD
Fatality
As there is no protection for pedestrians, the possibility of death is really high in pedestrian accidents.
Deaths hurt the families of the victims. The family of the deceased will miss the companionship the victim offered them.
In addition, if the deceased were the only source of income for the family, the family's financial status would also take a toll.
A death due to negligence is not fair to the victim and the victim's family.
The family may think that there is no use in filing a pedestrian accident claim, as it won't bring back the dead. But filing a pedestrian accident claim is important for many reasons, such as:
- It offers closure
- Deter the negligent party from engaging in such behaviors in the future
- Create awareness among the public about the issue
- Financial aid
Permanent disability
Loss of a limb or two is common in pedestrian accidents. Also, these accidents can cause injuries to the spine, which can lead to permanent disability.
Permanent disability not only causes physical discomfort but also emotional distress.
A permanent disability can cause the following mental health issues:
- Negative self-image
- Reduced social activity
- Self-isolation
- Suicidal thoughts
- Rage due to loss of freedom
All the above issues are pretty serious mental health conditions that should be treated with the help of a therapist. However, seeing a therapist can lead to more financial loss.
But don't worry about it, as you can recover it from the at-fault party.
Catastrophic injuries
Again, pedestrians don't have any kind of protection. So catastrophic injuries are a possibility.
Catastrophic injuries can cause a huge amount of discomfort for the victim. It can also lead to a reduced quality of life. Here are some types of catastrophic injuries that a pedestrian accident victim may sustain:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
- Severe burns
These injuries can cause severe pain for the victim. Most of these injuries will have a permanent effect on the victim.
As a result, they won't engage in certain activities they enjoy. This can lead to a reduced quality of life.
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health problem that can be found in people who have gone through a traumatic event.
Events like pedestrian accidents can lead to PTSD. This mental health problem has many serious consequences.
The following are some symptoms of PTSD:
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety
- Self-isolation
- Sel-destructive behavior
- Mood swings
- Seizures
PTSD is a severe mental health problem that should be treated right away. Not receiving proper treatment can make things worse.
Therapy is a must for PTSD patients. When calculating compensation, you need to include PTSD in the non-economic losses section.
Final thoughts
A pedestrian accident can be disastrous. The aforementioned consequences are pretty common in pedestrian accidents. Victims must hire a pedestrian accident lawyer and file a claim to mitigate the effects of these consequences. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help the victims get their lives back on track.
