Pedestrians Accidents Involving Pelvic Fractures
Hello, I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Bone Fracture Attorney. When people are out for a leisurely walk or run, they often take the time to enjoy the beautiful weather and take in the scenery. The last thing they expect is to be struck by a motor vehicle that has deviated from the road and struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk; however, this happens more often than it should. While someone in a car is protected by a strong metal body, pedestrians on the road have no protection against a heavy metal object moving toward them at high speed. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle can sustain multiple serious injuries, one of which is a pelvic fracture.
How do Pelvic Fracture Develop in Pedestrian Accidents?
People standing next to a car will quickly realize that the hood of the vehicle comes up to the level of the hip. This is where the pelvis is located on the human body. Pedestrian injuries from motor vehicle accidents tend to get struck by the hood first. Because the hood of most cars approach the hip on most people, this is where the fracture starts. When a car impacts a person at hip-level, it can cause major damage to even the strongest of bones. Even if someone slams on their breaks, a car moving at low speeds is heavy enough to cause serious pelvic fractures to develop.
Can a Pedestrian Accident Cause More than One Fracture?
Because cars are large, heavy objects, there is always a good chance that someone who is struck by a motor vehicle will develop more than just a pelvic fracture. In fact, kids are at serious risk because they are smaller and their bones are less developed, making them weaker than adult bones. Kids who are struck by cars are at risk for developing pediatric hip injuries. Anyone who is hit by a car has a good chance of developing serious bleeding. There are major arteries such as the femoral and iliac arteries that can be severed in pelvic fractures. There are also nerves in the area such as the sciatic and obturator nerves that can be severed in pelvic fractures as well. Other organs at risk include abdominal organs such as liver and spleen injuries.
What Kind of Complications Develop from Pelvic Fractures?
If someone develops nerve injuries, there is always the possibility that one could sustain permanent sensory or motor deficits. Patients may require rehabilitation of peripheral nerve injuries to prevent permanent damage. There is also the risk of someone developing an infection during or after the surgical procedure. If there are multiple fractures, such as leg fractures, these will also be repaired at the time of the surgery. Patients will likely need to re-learn how to walk; however, most patients do very well if fractures are their only problems. If there has been severe nerve damage or blood loss, the prognosis is handled on a case by case basis.
Contact an Experienced Bone Fracture Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Bone Fracture Attorney. Pelvic fractures that have been sustained in pedestrian accidents can be serious. Anyone involved in a serious accident should call my office at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. I also have a toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
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