It was at this intersection at about 7:29 in the evening when a pedestrian crossing Wilbur Street was struck by a car driven by a 58-year-old woman. The 44-year-old pedestrian suffered head and leg injuries and that were described as being severe.
Head injuries can be very serious, even when there is no obvious wound. Internal bleeding or a severe concussion can result and in fact can worsen several hours after the initial impact. Famously the actress wife of Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, struck her head while downhill skiing and thought she just had a headache, only to die several hours later.
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control considers traumatic brain injuries to be a serious public health problem. According to the CDC, approximately 1.7 million people suffer a TBI each year.
The scene of this particular accident in Swansea is being investigated. The Swansea accident reconstruction team was said to be working on the cause of the accident. There have not been any criminal charges against the 58-year-old driver as of yet, but that does not mean that there will not be.
Typically a pedestrian has the right of way. Should the 58-year-old prove to be negligent in any way, the 44-year-old could sue to collect compensation for his personal injury, including perhaps pain and suffering.
Source: The Herald News, "Pedestrian severely hurt in Swansea accident," Will Richmond, Oct. 28, 2012
