Annually, over 137,000 pedestrians are injured in car accidents and an additional 5,000+ die. If you or a loved one were hit by a car while taking out the trash, walking downtown or at any other time that you were not in an automobile, there are immediate steps you need to take.
Steps to Take If You’re Hit by a Car
Car accidents are traumatic, but when you’re minding your own business and are hit by an automobile as a pedestrian, the risk of death and injury is even higher. You can suffer from:
- Emotional issues
- Physical injuries
- Psychological distress
In all circumstances, your life will be impacted – hopefully, temporarily.
The first step you need to take is an obvious one: get medical attention.
The next step should be to call a personal injury lawyer.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, you should seek medical attention immediately. A medical evaluation can detect injuries that you don’t realize that you have, and in some cases, a person may need life-saving medical care.
The responsibility of calling an ambulance or 911 falls on one of many parties, depending on the circumstances:
- You. Are you conscious? If so, call for medical help. It’s your responsibility to seek medical care if you’re able to after an accident.
- Other parties. If you’re unconscious, the motorist that hit you or any witnesses have the responsibility of calling for medical help on your behalf.
You’ll be in shock following the accident. Shock can make it difficult to realize that you’re suffering from an injury or even in pain.
A few points to remember:
- If you’re conscious and don’t feel severe pain, you can go to your primary care provider rather than the emergency room.
- Do not wait to seek medical care, as insurance adjusters, and potentially the courts, will use this against you.
Even if you’re waiting for an ambulance, you should call 911 to have police dispatched to the scene.
Call the Police, and Don’t Discuss Fault
Over time, you’ll begin to forget some of the facts surrounding your accident and may even misconstrue them, even if you don’t want to. Your lawyer or a judge will want to know what events transpired before the accident.
A police report may even be required by your attorney or insurance company.
It’s essential that you do not discuss fault with anyone at the scene of the accident. Pedestrian accidents are unique in the fact that what you say can be used against you in a legal proceeding.
Note: You can recall the accident with the police officer at the scene of the accident. If you’re being abruptly transported to the hospital and can’t provide your version of the events, whenever medically possible, be sure to obtain a police report to verify the facts in the report.
If the motorist’s insurance company calls you and seems apologetic, they will still use anything you say against you to avoid paying out a claim. There are only three entities that you should be discussing the accident with:
- Attorney
- Medical professionals
- Your insurer
It goes without saying that if the motorist’s insurance company sends you any documents, do not sign them.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You may not have been in your vehicle at the time of the accident, but you should still contact your insurance company. Most policies will offer some form of protection to policyholders if they’re a victim in a pedestrian accident.
If you need to make a disability or medical claim following the accident, you’ll need to have previously contacted your insurance company.
Seek Out Legal Assistance
If you or a loved one were hit by a car, a personal injury lawyer can help you reach a settlement that helps cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. An attorney will help you:
- Deal with insurance companies that try to pin the blame on you for the accident
- Seek the highest settlement possible rather than take a low-ball settlement
- Protect your legal rights
Additional Tips to Follow After the Accident
When possible, you should do the following after the accident:
- Take pictures and video of the accident scene, which can help provide evidence as to the damage caused and what may have factored into the accident.
- Collect the driver’s information, such as their name, licensed plate number and insurance information. If police arrive at the scene and take a statement, they should collect this information for you.
- If the driver attempts to flee the scene, do everything possible to keep them at the scene as long as it doesn’t pose a safety risk to you.
- Move out of the street and to a safe place so that you don’t get hit by another vehicle.
Getting hit by a car is serious. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible and take legal action. You or your loved one deserve to be made whole following the accident.
