What to Do When Injured by a Careless Driver
Walking is an activity that offers health, environmental, and financial benefits. As more people choose to live in walkable communities, the risks of pedestrian accidents increases as they cross busy intersections and streets. When pedestrians and vehicles collide, the results can be traumatic—and even fatal—for the pedestrian. If you’ve been severely injured by a careless driver while walking in your community, contact the Denver car accident attorneys at Tenge Law Firm, LLC today.
Denver Area Statistics
A report from the Denver Department of Public Works includes data from pedestrian crashes in Denver over a five-year period. From 2011 to 2015, officials reported the following statistics regarding pedestrian crashes in the City and County of Denver:
- Pedestrian crashes—1,924
- Injuries from crashes—1,154
- Fatalities from crashes—88
Pedestrian crashes are increasing throughout the nation due to a variety of factors. The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in urban and suburban areas. SUV and high-horsepower vehicles are frequently involved in pedestrian crashes. In fact, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that from 2009 to 2016, pedestrian crashes caused by SUVs increased by 81 percent. Pedestrian injuries from SUV accidents often involve head and chest trauma due to the SUV’s higher and more vertical front-end design.
In addition to SUVs, Denver area police cite the following as the most common causes of pedestrian crashes:
- Distraction—food, pets, cell phones, passenger interference, etc.
- Aggressive driving
- Driver inexperience
- DUI
- Lack of familiarity with the area
- Driver fatigue
- Emotionally upset driver
- A driver evading a law enforcement officer
The report from the Denver Department of Public Works details the important role that speed plays in pedestrian crashes. For example, driving at a speed of 40 mph or higher increases the risk of pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries by more than 73 percent. Walking along Denver area sidewalks and trails, whether for shopping, commuting to work, or simply for exercise, is your right, and you should not have to worry about being struck by a moving vehicle. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a careless driver, contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC as soon as possible.
Common Types of Pedestrian Injuries
Fifty percent of pedestrian injuries involve the lower extremities. Head and neck injuries account for approximately 38 percent of all injuries, and injuries to the upper extremities account for 27 percent. The most severe injuries in pedestrian crashes are those to the pedestrian’s head. Resulting injuries from being struck by a vehicle at any speed may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken limbs or loss of limbs
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back injury
In some cases, injuries sustained in a pedestrian crash may be fatal, which can lead to wrongful death litigation. For those who survive with serious injuries, the long-term effects may include ongoing medical and personal care expenses. Adjustments to home life—such as making a home entrance, kitchen, and bathroom accessible for a wheelchair—may require costly renovations. Furthermore, future surgeries, medications, and therapy may require additional out-of-pocket expenses. At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we believe in holding people responsible for their reckless and negligent behavior. If you’ve sustained serious injuries as a pedestrian at no fault of your own, contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC today.
Examples of Our Success
We take great pride in our past success, and we never lose sight of our number one goal: to achieve the best possible result for our client quickly as possible. Each case is different, and the following examples do not guarantee, nor do they predict, the outcome of your particular case. However, they are representative of our hard work and dedication to our clients.
$520,000 Settlement
Our client was a cyclist who was suffered multiple orthopedic injuries in a car accident. We settled the case a few weeks before the trial date. The initial offer from the insurance company was $75,000.
$500,000 Trial Verdict
In this case, our client was a young professional involved in a car accident. Our lawyers were able to secure a $500,000 trial verdict; the initial offer from insurance company representatives was $25,000.
The Tenge Law Firm, LLC has over 70 collective years of experience litigating pedestrian accident lawsuits. This experience includes representing clients in a variety of personal injury and wrongful death cases. We know how to deal with aggressive insurance companies, and we aren’t afraid to go to trial, if necessary.
Crashes involving pedestrians require quick action to retain witness statements, and to review evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Don’t delay in scheduling a free consultation to assess the validity of your case. Contact our office before speaking to any insurance company representatives. While the insurance company’s offer may appear sufficient during your time of pain and suffering, its goal is to protect its company’s interests, not yours. As demonstrated in the cases above, offers from insurance companies are often low dollar amounts, intended to settle cases quickly and out-of-court. Don’t fall for their games—hire the Tenge Law Firm, LLC instead and seek the compensation that you deserve.
Speak to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Everyone deserves the freedom to walk throughout their community without fear of being struck by a vehicle. As more people choose to walk to work, walk for their health, and walk to save money on vehicle costs, the risks of injuries and fatalities increase. A distracted driver can cause a pedestrian to sustain serious injuries, especially when a SUV is involved. The heavy protection that SUVs provide their drivers and passengers is the same heavy design that results in traumatic injuries to pedestrians.
If you’ve sustained injuries as a pedestrian from a driver’s negligent and/or reckless driving, call (303) 502-5587, or contact us online today. We offer a free case evaluation, at which point one of our experienced attorneys will assess the validity of your claim. Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Furthermore, if you’ve lost a loved one in a pedestrian crash, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim.
The busy streets and intersections of Denver and the surrounding area require both drivers and pedestrians to take special care and remain alert. SUVs, trucks, and even small cars are no match for a pedestrian’s unprotected body. Let the experienced lawyers of the Tenge Law Firm, LLC fight for justice for you—contact us today.