By Ben Thayer, Co-Founder & Co-Owner · 3 min read

Who this is for: Written for pedestrians hit by a vehicle and the families managing their recovery across several providers.

Key takeaways

  • Head impact is common when a pedestrian is struck, and even low-speed impacts can cause concussion.
  • As physical injuries heal, people may notice cognitive, mood and sleep changes they did not connect to the crash.
  • Report balance problems beyond what an orthopedic injury explains, word-finding trouble and anxiety about crossing streets.
  • Ask one treating provider to keep track of the overall picture, and keep every discharge summary.
  • Families often see the changes first.

Pedestrians face serious head-injury risk

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle has no protection. Depending on speed and angle, a person may hit the hood, the windshield or the pavement, and head impact is common. Florida's busy multi-lane roads, tourist traffic and long stretches without sidewalks all contribute. Even impacts that seem low-speed can cause concussion, and serious injuries elsewhere draw attention away from the head.

Cognitive symptoms can fall through the cracks between orthopedics, wound care and physical therapy.

After the immediate emergency

Heavy interstate traffic in Florida
Even low-speed collisions in traffic can jolt the head and neck.

Many pedestrians are taken to emergency departments and treated for fractures, lacerations and internal injuries, and a head CT may be performed. After discharge, as the physical injuries heal, people often begin to notice cognitive, mood and sleep changes they did not connect with the crash at first.

Symptoms to report

Watch for headaches, dizziness, problems with balance or walking beyond what an orthopedic injury explains, blurred vision, light or noise sensitivity, trouble concentrating, memory gaps, word-finding problems, irritability, anxiety about crossing streets and sleep changes. Write down when each began and share it with your treating provider.

Related in this series: After a TBI Diagnosis: Coordinating Care With the Treating Provider, Family Guide: Noticing Changes in a Loved One After a Crash and Accident Types We Support (Auto, Fall, Work, Motorcycle). For the full overview, start with our guide, Concussion After a Crash.

Coordinating care with multiple injuries

Pedestrians often see several specialists, such as orthopedics, wound care and physical therapy, and cognitive symptoms can fall through the cracks between them. Ask one treating provider to keep track of the overall picture and make sure head-injury symptoms are recorded. Keep copies of every discharge summary so each new provider can see the full history.

If standardized testing is warranted, Braintree can test at that provider's office, which also spares a patient with limited mobility an extra trip.

Even impacts that seem low-speed can cause concussion.

Getting around while you recover

Physician in a white coat speaking with a patient
The treating provider reviews the findings and decides on care.

Many injured pedestrians rely on walking or transit, and after a crash, crossing a street can feel frightening. If dizziness, visual symptoms or anxiety make getting around difficult, tell your provider, who may suggest help with transportation or support for travel-related anxiety. Walking with a companion at first can help. Mention any near-falls, since poor balance and traffic are a real safety concern.

For families

If your loved one seems different after the crash, more forgetful, irritable or withdrawn, tell their provider. Families often see these changes first.

Emergency warning signs

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle should be checked in an emergency setting. Call 911 right away for confusion, slurred speech, weakness, a seizure, vomiting more than once, unusual drowsiness or a headache that worsens.

Frequently asked questions

My fractures are being treated. Who looks at my thinking problems?

Tell your treating provider; they can decide whether concussion testing makes sense.

Can testing happen while I'm still using a walker?

Tell us about mobility needs; testing happens at your provider's office.

Related reading:
How mobile testing works Concussion & TBI testing For patients Service areas family guide noticing changes after crash how chiropractors refer for tbi testing florida

We diagnose. You treat.

Mobile, physician-reviewed concussion and TBI diagnostics for Florida providers and their accident patients. Reports go to the treating provider, who decides care.

Book a 15-minute callRefer a patient

Or call 813-709-3771

Sources

This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.