14 Year-Old Boy Seriously Injured in Tennessee Pedestrian Accident

12/19/2019 Car Accidents,Personal Injury John Whitfield

When a pedestrian accident severely injures or kills someone, the effects can be incredibly devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic-related crashes in 2017 alone. Recently, a local 14-year old boy was severely injured after being struck by an SUV.

The boy was left in critical condition after being hit on Highway 49 in Orlinda, Tennessee. He was then transported to the Orlinda city park, where he was airlifted to via Lifeflight to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

A pedestrian accident such as this one can be life-changing for those involved. These instances can cause catastrophic injuries or death, as there is often nothing protecting the person from the vehicle. Many factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents. Better understanding these factors can help to prevent auto-pedestrian accidents like this one in Orlinda from occurring in the future.

Who is at Risk of Being Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?

Though nearly anyone can be at risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident at any time, certain groups of people are at an increased risk according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Male pedestrians are more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident than women.
• Teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 29 are at a higher risk of being hit.
• The elderly are at a greater risk of being hit by a vehicle and of potentially dying from their injuries due to their inability to quickly move out of the way.
• Intoxicated pedestrians with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher are more likely to be hit by a vehicle.
• Children are at a high risk of dying as pedestrians, as one in five traffic fatalities of those 14 years old or younger were caused by a pedestrian accident.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

All motorists must obey traffic laws and look for pedestrians who may be less visible when driving on busy roadways. When drivers are negligent or fail to obey traffic signs, tragic accidents can occur. Some of the most common ways driver negligence results in a pedestrian accident include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Intoxicated driving
• Failing to stop or yield
• Weather conditions
• Left-hand turns
• Backing-up accidents

Nashville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Though millions of people use sidewalks or ride their bikes on roadways every day, negligent drivers don’t always share the road with pedestrians. These accidents can be incredibly traumatic and those responsible may attempt to take advantage of it. Having an aggressive trial attorney by your side will help you feel more at ease. The experienced attorneys at Whitfield Bryson LLP stand ready to help, so contact us today for a free consultation.