The newest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that the number of pedestrian accident deaths is on the rise despite falling numbers of car accident deaths. Improvements to the design of cars and seatbelt laws have reduced the number of car accident deaths, but pedestrians do not have any of these protections to help protect them from the massive weight of a vehicle.

A pedestrian accident is a horrifying event and typically involves serious personal injuries. In addition to neck injuries and broken bones, pedestrians often face spinal cord damage and brain injuries that may cause permanent disabilities. The number of personal injuries from pedestrian accidents rose 19 percent in 2010, which means that about 70,000 people were injured after being hit by a car. The number of fatalities rose 4.2 percent that same year.

There are several things that a pedestrian can do after being struck by a car. The first priority is always getting medical attention. Medical attention after a pedestrian accident can be highly expensive, and a personal injury attorney can help pedestrians hold negligent motorists accountable for the injuries that they caused.

Individuals who lose family members in pedestrian accidents also have a method of recourse. A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the surviving family members of a deceased pedestrian against a motorist. A wrongful death lawsuit can help family members obtain compensation for the emotional hardship associated with losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident. Funds from a wrongful death action can also help pay for medical expenses and funeral costs, among other things.

Source: USA Today,"As U.S. road deaths drop, more pedestrians getting struck," Larry Copeland, Dec. 9, 2011