Vehicle Lands on Sacramento Bus Stop
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. A recent accident demonstrated some of the hidden dangers to pedestrians around the city when a motor vehicle crashed through a parking garage wall and landed on top of a bus stop.
What Happened
The incident occurred in the evening shortly after 7:30 p.m. along 9th Street on the second floor of a parking garage in the downtown area. For unknown reasons, a motorist drove through the brick exterior wall, causing the vehicle to land on top of the bus stop below. Witnesses to the accident told a Sacramento Police representative that the vehicle had fallen from the upper story. One individual was transported to a hospital with injuries described as minor. However, the report did not note whether the injured person was inside the vehicle or a passerby on the street below.
Pedestrian Injuries
In the above accident, it was fortunate that pedestrians walking along the street or those waiting at the bus stop weren’t injured. Although this was an unusual incident, it illustrates that pedestrians can be injured anywhere, not just when crossing the street. The city of Sacramento reported 228 injuries to and deaths of pedestrians in 2015 out of 4,502 accidents with motor vehicles. The previous year, 198 pedestrian injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicles were reported, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Countywide, the number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries was much higher with 535 in 2015 and 440 the previous year.
Pedestrian Injuries Caused by a Motor Vehicle
Because pedestrians have no protection against an impact with a motor vehicle, injuries can be significant or life-threatening. Additionally, the higher the rate of speed a vehicle is moving at the time of impact, the more serious the injuries.
- Femur fractures and other leg injuries: These are common injuries because the leg is where a vehicle impacts an adult.
- Pelvic fractures: Because the femur attaches to the pelvis, it may also either be damaged or displaced from the hip socket. Either requires surgery and a long recuperative period to heal.
- Injuries to the spine: According to the National Institutes of Health, cervical injuries (neck area) are the most common, followed by thoracic injuries (upper back), lumbar injuries (middle back) and sacral injuries (lower back). In a retrospective study performed by the NIH, 99 percent of pedestrians struck by motor vehicles suffered injuries to the spinal column. The most serious resulted in spinal cord injury, which caused partial or complete paralysis.
- Brain and head injuries: Brain injuries may range from a mild concussion, which heals itself with rest and time, to traumatic brain injuries, which can result in severe cognitive deficits. These may include temporary or permanent attention and memory problems, changes in personality, seizures and diminished senses such as hearing, vision or taste.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. A pedestrian who is injured in an accident with a motor vehicle can face high medical expenses and time away from work. If this happened to you or your loved one, call me for free and friendly advice. My number is (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. Also, on AutoAccident.com, the website I founded and own, you can also use our contact form to get in touch.
For over 35 years, I’ve worked as a Sacramento and Northern California injury lawyer, representing those seeking compensation for their traumatic injuries and who have lost their loved one because of a wrongful death.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/bus-stop-waiting-bus-72171/
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