Pedestrian Accidents Caused by Intoxicated Drivers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 28 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States every single day. Those are all preventable deaths. That means that every 52 seconds, someone in this country will die because of an accident that did not have to happen. In a year, that comes to 10,220 drunk driving deaths. Every… Single… Year.

And according to DrugAbuse.gov, it can be difficult to assess how many car accidents are caused by drugged driving, but estimates show that nearly 44 percent of fatal car crashes involved a driver who tested positive for drugs – which include marijuana and opioids, among others. That’s astounding and frightening. And if you or someone you love was injured by a drunk or a drugged driver as a vulnerable pedestrian, then you know how very serious and life-threatening – or even life-ending – such a crash can be. It can have a profound effect on your own life, and also on the lives of your friends and family members.

The Austin pedestrian accident lawyers of Loewy Law Firm have seen the horrific effects of these kinds of accidents. We are here to help. If you were a pedestrian who was injured by a drunk or drugged driver, call us today at (512) 280-0800 for a free consultation.

The Dangers of Drunk or Drugged Driving

In life, we all like to minimize risks. But an accident involving a drunk or drugged driver is not something you can predict, and so it isn’t something you can necessarily avoid. It can come out of nowhere while you’re enjoying a walk or a run on your own street or when you’re walking to catch a bus for work. The reality is that a car can come out of nowhere and strike you, no matter how safety-conscious you are.

And as a pedestrian, you don’t have the added protection of the steel reinforcement of a car surrounding you, or safety equipment such as seat belts and airbags. This is what makes a drunk or drugged driving accident so stunningly dangerous for the pedestrian involved.

How Intoxicated Driving Leads to Pedestrian Accidents

Alcohol and drugs can have a significant effect on a person’s ability to walk, let alone drive. When a drunk or drugged driver gets behind the wheel, they are taking their life – and your life – into their hands. Alcohol and drugs can have the following effects on a person’s driving ability:

  • Reaction time – Alcohol causes slower reflexes, leading to slower responses.
  • Vision – Drink or drugs in your system can cause slower eye movement, altered eye muscle function, and diminished visual perception that results in blurriness.
  • Tracking – A drunk or drugged driver has decreased ability to assess a car’s road position, the location of other vehicles, the location of the center line, and road signs.
  • Coordination – Eye/hand/foot coordination is impaired when someone is under the influence.
  • Concentration – Drugs and alcohol can cause drowsiness, which leads to decreased ability to concentrate.
  • Judgment – Alcohol and drug impairment can lead to extremely poor decisions when driving.

Common Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

The damage done when a motor vehicle or a motorcycle crashes into a pedestrian can be life-altering. This kind of accident can result in many types of injuries, and in the worst-case scenario, such a crash can easily cause death. Here are a few of the more common injuries caused by drunk and drugged driving accidents.

  • Broken bones. Serious fractures can occur when a car strikes a pedestrian, and the victim may wind up requiring surgical repair. The victim may also wind up in a cast for a long period of time, limiting their ability to work, to drive, and to function at home as well.
  • Back injuries. This type of injury can cause chronic lifelong pain and immobility.
  • Neck injuries. The stiffness and pain of an injured neck can cause lifelong discomfort, or worse.
  • Paralysis. A paraplegic or a quadriplegic will be confined to a wheelchair and may need nursing care for life.
  • Lacerations. Deep cuts may require surgery, and may cause scarring.
  • Internal injuries. Injuries to organs and internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI). This type of injury can be severely debilitating, and can have lifelong impacts on cognition and brain function.
  • Facial injuries. Some injuries to the face will require cosmetic surgery repair and may leave significant scars.
  • Dental injuries. Victims may lose teeth and may require implants and other repairs.
  • Death.

Compensation for a Drunk or a Drugged Driving Accident

When a pedestrian is hit by an intoxicated driver, the consequences are often life-altering or even life-ending. The victim or their family is then left to deal with the aftermath, which may include losing their job or their career, enduring long-term medical care, lifelong suffering, and so much more. The things they took for granted as ordinary activities, such as walking the dog, caring for the kids, cooking their meals, cleaning the house, driving to the supermarket, and so on, may not be possible for quite some time, or ever.

When a victim suffers because of another person’s negligence and recklessness, they deserve financial compensation. This may include:

  • Medical evaluation
  • Emergency transportation
  • Doctor bills
  • Medications
  • Surgery, including cosmetic repair
  • Transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Wages lost during recovery
  • Physical therapy
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional pain and suffering
  • Therapeutic counseling
  • Future lost wages or medical expenses

Contact an Austin Pedestrian Accident Lawyer 

At Loewy Law Firm, we have experience helping pedestrian victims of drunk and drugged driving accidents. We understand that your life may never be the same, and we will work hard to win you the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and your losses. From the moment you contact our personal injury attorneys to review your case, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure the best result.

Contact Loewy Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and to explain the possibilities for your case. You can reach our legal team 24/7 at (512) 280-0800. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you to get on the path to recovery.