According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 7,300 pedestrian fatalities occur every year in the United States, with another 60,000 pedestrians sustaining injuries.
The numbers are staggering and point to a troubling trend: pedestrian fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade. Even when pedestrians survive the accident, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be long-lasting.
In a personal injury case, damages refer to the financial compensation that helps victims recover from the harm caused by their injuries. While damages related to immediate treatment and loss are essential, the focus on future damages is critical when it comes to injuries that result in permanent consequences.
Many people focus on the immediate damages, like medical bills and short-term pain, but it’s just as crucial to account for the long-term impact that these injuries will have on your life. Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer who specializes in future damages is essential in these cases.
Without proper compensation for future damages, you could find yourself struggling to pay for ongoing care or unable to support your family as you recover from permanent injuries.
Here are some of the future losses you may incur as a pedestrian accident victim:
Future Medical Expenses
If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian accident, it’s likely that you’ll need ongoing medical care well into the future. The treatment doesn’t end when you leave the hospital.
In many cases, you may need surgeries, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and regular doctor visits. These future medical expenses can be astronomical and should be accounted for in your personal injury claim. In some cases, specialized care may be required for the rest of your life.
For instance, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, or severe fractures may require years of rehabilitation. Also, assistive devices such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, or mobility aids could be necessary to help you regain independence.
These long-term medical costs should not be overlooked when considering the full extent of damages from a pedestrian accident.
Future Pain and Suffering
While medical bills are tangible and easy to calculate, future pain and suffering are much harder to quantify. These damages include the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma that a pedestrian accident victim will experience in the years following the accident.
Chronic pain from injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and orthopedic fractures can last long after the initial recovery phase. Additionally, disfigurement or scarring may result in permanent physical changes that impact your emotional well-being.
On top of physical pain, many survivors experience psychological suffering such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which can persist for years. These emotional and psychological effects can be just as debilitating as the physical injuries themselves.
Loss of consortium, or companionship, is also a factor when the injured person can no longer maintain the same level of personal relationships due to their physical or emotional trauma.
Loss of Future Earnings
One of the most significant future losses after a pedestrian accident is the loss of future earnings. If you’ve sustained catastrophic injuries, it may be impossible to return to work in the same capacity, or at all. This loss of income can be devastating, especially if you’re unable to continue in your profession or pursue the career you once had.
In addition to lost wages, your ability to work and earn a living may be diminished in the long term due to your injuries. For example, if you’re left with permanent physical limitations that prevent you from returning to your previous line of work, this lost earning capacity must be factored into your future damages.
Your pedestrian accident lawyer will work with economic experts to assess your future earning potential and ensure that you are compensated for this loss.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Pedestrian accidents can also take away your ability to enjoy life’s pleasures. If you were an active person before the accident, those simple activities may become difficult or impossible. This loss of enjoyment of life is often considered in future damages as well.
For example, if an injury limits your ability to engage in your favorite activities or travel with loved ones, you may experience a significant reduction in your quality of life.
These changes, while difficult to measure, are a real consequence of a severe pedestrian accident and should be compensated for in your claim.
