Most Common Injuries After a Chicago Pedestrian AccidentThe most vulnerable people on the road are often pedestrians. They aren’t afforded the same protection that a driver or passenger has in a car, so when they’re involved in accidents the results are often severe. In addition, pedestrians suffer two impacts during a crash — the first when the vеhicle impacts them and the sеcond when they impact the ground. 
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 1,866 pedestrian accidents in 2020. These accidents resulted in 46 people killed and 1,888 injured. Of those injured, 385 suffered severely incapacitating injuries. 
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, your first priority should always be to seek medical attention. At times, you might be able to walk away from the accident just fine, only for signs of internal injuries to arise days later. Here are some injuries to watch out for. Traumatic Brain InjuriesYour skull may be able to withstand a fair amount of force normally, but car accidents often involve high speeds and significant forces. Traumatic brain injuries can result from blows to the head, or it suddenly and violently striking an object or surface. It can also happen when something pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. Other Head WoundsHead wounds are difficult to assess visually. A simple cut on your scalp can bleed heavily, which makes them seem more serious. On the other hand, a more serious internal injury like a hemorrhage or a skull fracture won’t be obvious from the outside.
If you experience lightheadedness, nausea, disorientation, balance problems, memory loss, inability to focus your eyes, ringing in your ears, seizures, headaches, or similar symptoms, consult with a doctor immediately.  Back and Neck InjuriesThe force of a car crash can cause significant damage to the delicate spinal cord, leading to herniated spinal discs and back or neck pain. Some severe spinal cord injuries can also result in paralysis. Severe Lacerations and Broken BonesThe impact of the accident can cause cuts, scrapes, and bruises across your body, especially if you get thrown back by the force. Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones are also common injuries. 
Road rash, in particular, is a skin abrasion that happens when skin is scraped against something rough, such as the surface of the road. This is also known as friction burn. Crush InjuriesCrush injuries result from extreme force or pressure. In pedestrian accidents, they typically occur due to your body getting pinned or crushed between two surfaces (e.g. between the vehicle and the road, or between two vehicles). 
Crush injuries can lead to bleeding, severe bruising, swelling, lacerations, fractures, nerve damage, crushed muscles/soft tissue, and crush syndrome (major shock from the lack of blood flow and kidney failure). In extreme cases, crush injuries can also result in the amputation of a limb. Internal Organ Damage and Internal BleedingThis can occur in tandem with other injuries (e.g. blood building up between the brain and the skull due to a head injury). This damage can be life-threatening but can’t be detected visually. If you experience symptoms like dizziness, low blood pressure, visual problems, severe weakness, numbness, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, chest pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (especially if your vomit/stool is dark or bloody), consult with your doctor. Seek the Assistance of a Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyer TodayIf you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. We can help you through the legal process of filing an injury claim and pursuing justice against those responsible. Consult with an experienced Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer today.