Traumatic brain injuries can be serious conditions that impact the lives of victims in various ways. These injuries can occur in a multitude of accidents, and run the risk of causing permanent damage to the health of an individual. Cyclists and pedestrians in New Mexico and elsewhere might face increased risks of suffering such an injury, especially with less in the way of protective barriers to shield them during an accident.
While collisions involving cyclists or pedestrians may be more common among areas of dense traffic, they can occur anywhere. Accidents involving those with less protection have a much higher chance of ending in catastrophe. Studies suggest that in accidents where a person is hit by a motor vehicle, at 20 miles per hour, the victim only has a 10 percent chance to suffer serious and/or fatal injuries, while at 30 to 40 miles per hour, the chances shoot up to 50 and 90 percent respectively.
Outside of lowering speed limits in areas populated with pedestrians and cyclists, there may be other ways to reduce the chances of such devastating incidents. Some common areas for such accidents may include poorly lit areas and intersections that aren’t clearly marked and/or have narrow crosswalks with quick traffic light timers. Every pedestrian or cyclist accident prevented could result in a life being saved.
Unfortunately, these accidents are far too common and have higher chances of ending with permanent damages, or worse. When facing a similar situation, an accident victim could be entitled to restitution for damages through the civil justice system. Since the process can be complex, a person in New Mexico could speak with an experienced attorney for assistance in pursuing the compensation deserved through a personal injury claim. In fatal accidents, the surviving family of the victim may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Source: New York Daily News, “How to prevent traumatic brain injuries on New York City streets“, Dr. Nicholas Gavin, July 27, 2017