WHEN REPORTING THE STORY BECAME THE STORY

Tori Yorgey, a reporter from WSAZ-TV in Charleston, West Virginia, was reporting on a water main break during a live broadcast on January 19, 2022, when an SUV struck her from behind, knocking her down. Ms. Yorgey can be heard saying, “I’m ok, I’m ok” and the SUV driver stopped to apologize and make sure she was, in fact, ok. Yorgey then continued with her broadcast.

The clip of Yorgey being struck by the SUV live on air, but gamely continuing with her broadcast, quickly went viral. A few days later during an interview, Yorgey admitted that she doesn’t remember falling and getting back up, that she sort of “blacked out” when the SUV hit her. She insisted that she was not seriously injured, however, saying that she was evaluated and had no broken bones, but was a little sore, particularly in her back and right leg.

MORE OFTEN THAN YOU THINK

In 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States. That's about one death every 88 minutes. Additionally, an estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. Per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash. In 2019, the W.H.O. estimated that 300,000 pedestrian deaths were recorded globally, a 22% share of total road user fatalities.

The main causes of pedestrian—motor vehicle crashes are: (1) distracted driving; (2) aggressive driving (particularly in urban areas); (3) speeding; (4) failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks; and (4) pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night. Almost half of crashes that resulted in a pedestrian death involved alcohol for the driver and/or the pedestrian. cdc.gov.

SAFETY TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS

WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT

If, like the reporter Tori Yorgey, you are in a pedestrian accident (simply defined as an accident between someone on foot and some other force), the most important thing is to seek medical attention—notwithstanding Ms. Yorgey’s professional endeavor of finishing her broadcast. Ms. Yorgey’s case demonstrates that an initial assessment of injuries can be deceiving; Ms. Yorgey thought she was fine at the scene, but later realized she “blacked out” during the fall and suffered soreness in her back and leg. This is why a complete medical evaluation is so crucial. An injury suffered at the scene of the accident but left untreated can become much worse, even life-threatening or debilitating; therefore, obtaining prompt medical attention is always wise.

Documenting injuries for purposes of reimbursement of costs, both immediate medical costs and any rehabilitative costs or lost wages, is also essential. Additionally, getting contact information from the driver involved, and any and all witnesses to the accident will help recovery of costs.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights.