Pedestrian Injured by Car: A Growing Global Concern

According to statistics, every 113 minutes, a pedestrian is killed in an accident. These events can happen anywhere, from large cities to suburban neighborhoods to rural locations. Whether it's a child playing hide-and-seek, an elderly person crossing the street, or a delivery person on a bicycle doing his job, there is a latent risk of being hit by a car for pedestrians.

Just in the United States alone, there are over 70,000 injured pedestrians, and almost 5,000 are killed in traffic accidents annually. This alarming data highlights the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety measures.

In this post, we analyze the factors and elements that contribute to and influence pedestrian injuries. We will also see which are the most vulnerable populations and discuss possible solutions to reduce the impact of pedestrians injured by cars.

Economic Toll of Pedestrian Injuries & Beyond

Pedestrians injured by cars have a significant economic impact on society. In the United States alone, the annual cost of motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians exceeds $230 billion. This staggering figure includes medical expenses, lost productivity, property damage, and other related costs.

While property damage and travel delays contribute to the overall burden, the most substantial costs stem from pedestrian injuries. These include pain, suffering, disability, and the potential for long-term mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Ultimately, the actual cost of pedestrian injuries by cars extends far beyond financial figures. It encompasses the emotional and psychological impact on victims and families affected by these events.

 

The Risks of Pedestrian Collisions: A Closer Look

To effectively prevent pedestrian injuries, it's critical to understand the elements that contribute to these tragic events.

Time of Day: Most pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 PM and midnight. Impaired vision due to darkness, combined with increased pedestrian traffic and alcohol consumption by drivers or pedestrians, contribute to the higher risk during these hours.

Location: Urban areas account for two-thirds of pedestrian fatalities, with three-fourths happening outside intersections. The concentration of pedestrians and vehicles, along with factors like speeding and inadequate infrastructure, make cities particularly vulnerable.

Rural Risks: While the overall number of pedestrian collisions is lower in rural areas, the injuries are often more severe, leading to a higher fatality rate. Factors such as higher vehicle speeds, limited pedestrian infrastructure, and longer distances to trauma centers contribute to this increased risk.

By understanding these risk factors, we can develop targeted strategies to improve pedestrian safety and prevent pedestrians from being injured by a car.

Vulnerable Populations: Age and Socioeconomic Status

Pedestrian injuries disproportionately affect specific populations, including children, elders, and individuals of lower socioeconomic status.

Children: Impulsive and lacking the judgment to avoid oncoming traffic, children are particularly vulnerable. Risky driving behaviors, such as speeding and DUI, coupled with childhood impulses and inadequate parental supervision, often contribute to these tragic events.

Older Adults: Age-related declines in hearing, vision, reflexes, and flexibility put older adults at risk for pedestrian collisions. Additionally, pre-existing health conditions and limited physical reserves can increase the severity of injuries and mortality rates.

Socioeconomic Status: Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be affected by pedestrian injuries. Factors such as risky behaviors, limited awareness of public safety issues, lack of supervision, and cultural attitudes can contribute to this increased vulnerability. Other factors that play a significant role are race and ethnicity, with minority populations, especially African-American children, being disproportionately affected.

These factors emphasize the need for targeted interventions to safeguard vulnerable populations and prevent incidents of pedestrian injured by car. 

Injury Patterns in Pedestrian Collisions

Various factors, including vehicle speed, impact angle, pedestrian’s height, body parts involved, vehicle design, and the sequence of impacts, influence the nature and severity of pedestrian injuries by car accidents.

Collisions with Adults: Frontal collisions often result in a three-step impact sequence. The initial impact involves the lower leg hitting the bumper, followed by the thigh contacting the hood. This rotation leads to a final impact between the head/shoulders and the hood/windshield. Injuries commonly include head trauma, leg fractures, and pelvic injuries.

Collisions with Kids: While the sequence of impacts can be similar, children's lower center of gravity often leads to a different pattern of injuries. Head and neck injuries are more common in children, followed by musculoskeletal injuries. Chest and abdominal injuries might also occur.

Understanding these injury patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and improving medical care for pedestrian victims of car accidents.

Emergency Care and Prevention Strategies

Emergency Care:

• Pre-Hospital Phase: Timely access to emergency medical services (EMS) is crucial for the survival of pedestrians injured in car accidents. Geographic distance from trauma centers and the availability of EMS resources can significantly impact outcomes.
• Trauma Center Transport: Transporting severely injured pedestrians to trauma centers can improve survival rates.
• ATLS Guidelines: Implementing the American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines is essential for the effective management of pedestrian injuries.
• Rapid Stabilization and Diagnosis: It is critical to stabilize the patient and diagnose life-threatening injuries within 30 minutes of hospital arrival.
• Diagnostic Modalities: Utilizing diagnostic tools like FAST exams, CT scans, and DPL can help identify internal injuries.

Prevention Strategies:

• Haddon Matrix: A holistic approach to pedestrian safety involves addressing the pre-crash, crash, and post-crash phases.
• Pedestrian Education: Implementing educational programs can help pedestrians understand and avoid risks associated with car accidents.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Providing safe pedestrian routes, separated from vehicular traffic, can reduce the risk of collisions.
• Public Transportation Incentives: Encouraging the use of public transportation can limit exposure to traffic.
• Driver Education and Enforcement: Stricter laws and DUI enforcement can help prevent collisions involving pedestrians.
• Traffic-Calming Measures: Implementing speed limits, pedestrian crosswalk markings, and visual displays can improve pedestrian safety.
• Automotive Technology: Car manufacturers are continually developing technologies to reduce the impact of pedestrian injuries by car accidents.

By combining emergency care improvements and prevention strategies, we can significantly reduce the burden of pedestrian injuries.

Taking Action: Call to Protect Pedestrians

Pedestrian injuries are a pressing public health concern, claiming thousands of lives and causing widespread suffering worldwide. As healthcare providers, we are on the front lines, witnessing the devastating consequences of these tragic events.

At Injury Rely, we are committed to protecting pedestrians’ rights to safety and compensation and advocating for their safety. Our proficient healthcare professionals offer expert care and support to victims of pedestrian collisions. By understanding the unique injury patterns and introducing new effective prevention strategies, we can significantly reduce the burden of these incidents.

We can make the change to improve pedestrian safety, create safer communities, and prevent future tragedies.