Long-Term Effects of Pedestrian Accidents in Lincoln

Pedestrian accidents in Lincoln, California, often result in life-altering consequences due to the vulnerability of those on foot in a community with increasing traffic volumes. As part of Placer County, near Sacramento, Lincoln experiences its share of these incidents, with local data showing rankings for pedestrian crashes involving vulnerable groups, such as children under 15 (1 incident, ranked 59th out of 104 cities) and seniors over 65 (2 incidents, ranked 52nd out of 104) in 2022. In California, pedestrians are responsible for about 25% of road fatalities and 15,000 injuries annually. In addition to causing immediate harm, many collisions cause victims and their families to endure long-term financial, emotional, and physical suffering. It's critical to comprehend these impacts in order to seek assistance and restitution. 

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are More Devastating and Deadly 

In a pedestrian collision, people have no protective barriers (such as the metal frame of a car, seatbelts, or airbags) to help shield them from injury. A pedestrian who is struck by a car, frequently at high speed, bears the brunt of the collision and sustains injuries and trauma of differing degrees. Since 2009, when the number of pedestrian fatalities was at its lowest, the number has climbed by 78%, making the increase evident. 18% of all collision fatalities reported nationwide are pedestrians. In California, where urban areas blend with rural areas, such as along Lincoln Highway 65, many risk factors (e.g., distracted driving, speeding, and limited visibility) exacerbate the outcome for pedestrians who are hit. Once the vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph, a pedestrian's level of survival declines rapidly. A pedestrian suffering major injuries at speeds above 20 mph has a greater than 90% chance of sustaining severe injuries. The inherent risk of injury and death from accidents involving pedestrians is exceptionally high in comparison to accidents that only involve vehicles. Disability and lifetime health care needs are common among survivors of pedestrian accidents.

 

Common Injuries and Long-Term Effects 

Accidents involving pedestrians often result in severe injuries because of the direct impact to the body. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common injury that can lead to cognitive impairments, memory loss, personality changes, and chronic headaches. Spinal cord damage may result in paralysis, loss of mobility, or lifelong pain management needs. Broken bones, especially in legs, knees, and hips, often require surgery and rehabilitation, leading to permanent limps or arthritis. Soft tissue injuries like road rash or internal organ damage can cause scarring, infections, or organ failure over time. 

Long-term effects extend beyond the physical: victims may face depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the trauma. Many experience reduced quality of life, inability to work, or dependency on assistive devices, with recovery spanning years or becoming permanent disabilities. In pediatric cases, common in Lincoln, brain and musculoskeletal injuries can impair development, affecting education and future opportunities. 

Compensation for Long-Term Care 

Compensation for long-term requirements is available to pedestrian accident victims in California, ensuring caregivers' financial security. Settlements for severe pedestrian cases, in which the pedestrian is not legally at fault, can range from $70,000 to $175,000.  If the case is catastrophic and involves long-term disabilities, the compensation can go over $1 million in settlements. Economic damages would include both past and future medical expenses (ranging from surgeries to therapy, home modifications, and other necessary costs), loss of wages, and any future loss of earning capacity resulting from a disability that prevents the patient from returning to work. Non-economic damages would cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.   

For long-term care, compensation might fund in-home nursing, adaptive equipment, or vocational retraining. In wrongful death scenarios, families can recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support. California follows comparative negligence principles, meaning that, regardless of the fault, a victim can still recover for various damages, but only to the extent of their own fault. The victim must file a claim within two years of the accident. 

How Pedestrian Accidents Affect Families 

The effects of pedestrian accidents can ripple through families and place emotional, financial, and practical stressors that can continue for years. Caretaking responsibilities can be challenging for the family, as roles shift among spouses or children, limiting their ability to work or manage daily life. Family life can undergo significant financial changes as medical bills are incurred, lost wages accumulate, debt is incurred, and/or adjustments are made to work-related lifestyle tasks, particularly if the injured person is the primary wage earner. Emotionally, families can experience issues of lack of grieving process, anxiety over health on top of the emotional response to the accident (ie, secondary trauma), or problems extended if the injured is a child (considering children were the majority group of injuries in doorways and streets). In the long run, this can create family therapy needs or disrupt family dynamics, overall extending the devastation of the accident beyond just the victim. 

How the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika Can Help 

At the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika, we specialize in helping Lincoln pedestrian accident victims navigate these challenges, drawing on over 20 years of experience in Northern California. Brian P. Azemika provides one-on-one attention, handling every aspect, from evidence gathering (such as accident reports and medical records) to negotiating with insurers for maximum compensation. Our track record includes $2,350,000 for an auto accident involving severe injuries and $300,000 for a wrongful death case, demonstrating our ability to secure funds for long-term care. We work on a contingency basis, no fees unless you win, and offer free consultations to build strong cases against negligent drivers or entities. 

Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today 

If you or a loved one has suffered long-term effects from a pedestrian accident in Lincoln, contact the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika today. From our Sacramento and Roseville offices, we serve the community with compassionate, results-driven representation. Call us at 916-245-5059 or reach out online for a no-obligation case review, we're here to help you recover and move forward.