Far too many pedestrians are struck by cars. Here is what you can do if you are one of them.
Throughout the country, accidents involving cars and pedestrians are far too common an occurrence — with many of these incidents resulting in serious injury and even death to the pedestrian. Unfortunately, a careless driver can cause a life-changing injury to a pedestrian in a blink of the eye — and the pedestrian may be left struggling to put his or her life back together in the aftermath.
There are steps that pedestrians can take to avoid being involved in an accident with a car, such as always using crosswalks, being aware of their surroundings, waiting for the walk signal, wearing reflective or brightly-colored clothing if they’re out in low light or poor weather conditions, and never stepping out onto the streets between cars. However, many of these crashes occur not because of something the pedestrian did, but because a driver ignored basic safety laws or was not paying attention fully while driving.
If you have been struck by a car while you were out walking or jogging, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver that hit you. Taking these steps will increase your chances of recovery — and allow you to move forward with your life without the stress of unpaid medical bills and lost wages hanging over your head.
Immediately after you have been hit, you will likely be shocked, frightened and perhaps even angry. However, keeping a level head will help keep you safe and protect your rights. If you are able to do so, move off of the street and into a safe place as soon as possible. Then you can take the following steps to help maximize your potential for recovery.
Call 911
If you have been struck by a car, you should contact local law enforcement as soon as possible — even if the driver has left the scene. Whether your injuries are minor or serious, the police will want to investigate what happened. The police report can help in your case against the driver. Do not wait to call 911; you should do it as soon as you can after the accident (if another person has not already called the police for you). Tell the police what happened from your perspective, and avoid making any extraneous statements. Don’t admit fault or say that you were not looking. Be sure to tell the truth and be factual in your statements.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you think your injuries are not that serious, you should always see a doctor after being hit by a car. You could be suffering from internal bleeding, a head trauma, or other hidden condition that may not be revealed until later. If you are in shock, the rush of adrenaline may actually cover up any pain you are experiencing — making it entirely possible that you have been seriously injured and just do not realize it yet.
If possible, wait until after you have talked to the police and gotten witness information to go to the hospital. After being treated, follow your doctor’s orders and continue any required care.
Document Everything
To the extent that it is possible, take pictures or videos of the scene, including those of the vehicle that hit you. Pictures of any obstructions, the weather, and the intersection can be helpful in reconstructing the accident.
You should also request contact information from the driver (including insurance information) and from witnesses. Look around to see if any businesses in the area have video cameras, and make a note of it. This may be helpful to your lawyer in the future.
Hire A Lawyer
After being hit by a car, you may be in a state of shock. However, it is important that you act quickly to preserve your legal rights. Start by retaining a skilled pedestrian accident attorney. A good lawyer can help make sure that you are fully protected and receive the most compensation possible. He or she can take care of details such as contacting the driver’s insurance, gathering evidence, and investigating the claim. Your lawyer will also make sure that the claim is filed on time.
In some cases, it is possible that it isn’t just the driver who was at fault for your accident. The town or city where the crash occurred may have failed to have adequate signs to warn walkers or drivers, or a business’ signs may have obstructed the driver’s view. Your experienced car accident attorney will evaluate your case fully to get the highest possible recovery.
If you were hit by a car or truck while walking, jogging or doing any other activity, contact the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com. We are skilled at handling all types of car accident cases, including those involving pedestrians. Our consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we recover money for our clients.
