As a pedestrian, the last thing you want to do is end up in a car crash. If a car hits you, you know that you have the potential for serious injuries. Were you aware that you could face serious injuries even if the vehicle hits you slowly, though?
When you think about a serious accident, you probably imagine a car speeding down the road and hitting you at a high rate of speed. The truth is that even a slow-speed crash can lead to some serious or potentially deadly injuries.
Of course, as speeds increase, the likelihood of being involved in a fatal accident does as well. Despite that fact, slower crashes are actually a considerable problem, especially in urban neighborhoods.
How fast is fast enough to get hurt? At speeds below 15 mph, it's relatively unlikely that you'll suffer a serious injury. You might suffer a broken bone if the car rolls over your foot, or you could find yourself on its hood if you're hit head-on. In most instances, you'd walk away with mild or moderate injuries.
As speeds increase, the risk to you skyrockets. The rate of pedestrian deaths doubles when driving speeds go up from 25 to 35 mph, something to be particularly wary of. Additionally, the older you are, the more likely you are to suffer more serious injuries in a slower crash. A study showed that a 30-year-old person who was hit at 35 mph suffers approximately the same risk of death as a 70-year-old hit at 25 mph.
These are just a few facts and figures to consider. If you're hit by a car, it's important for you to be heard. The driver should be held liable for your injuries.