Did you know that in 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States? While accidents happen every day, it is important to create a preventative measure to ensure that people can remain safe. Life is unpredictable and ideally, you’ll prepare for the worst-case scenario.
One of these scenarios could be a car hitting you while you go for a walk. As a pedestrian crossing the street, there is no way of controlling what a driver will do. If you are dealing with a car accident where you were hit, here are the immediate steps you should take.
Get Medical Help
The first thing you need to do if you get hit by a car is to assess any medical injuries. If you or anyone else involved is injured, then it’s important to be seen by a medical professional. No matter how mild you think the injuries are, you could be in shock and undermining any potential problems.
Try to move out of the street and onto a safe area, that way you avoid putting yourself in harm’s way if you’re still on the road. If the injury is severe, call an ambulance as soon as possible. There is no reason to concern yourself with anything at that moment other than your well-being if a serious injury occurs.
Call Law Enforcement
Once any injuries are taken care of, the next thing you’ll want to do is call the police. Even if the driver has left the scene of the accident, the police will investigate what happened. One of the first things that an officer will do is file a police report.
This police report will help in your case against the driver. You might be a bit disoriented, so finding the details won’t be simple, but taking photos and filing a police report immediately helps. The information you provide to the police must be as accurate as possible.
The police will take statements from you and the driver and any witnesses. They may make a preliminary finding on the spot or begin an investigation. The reports are also sent to insurance companies to see who was at fault.
Sometimes insurance companies have unfair rulings for who is at fault, and in that case, you’ll be able to hire an attorney to help sort that out.
Document Everything
If it’s possible, take photos or videos of the scene. This includes documenting the vehicle that hit you, obstructions, even the weather, and the intersection the accident took place in. This is all to help your case.
Be sure to request contact information from the driver, if they didn’t leave the scene. Also, get their insurance information. Talk to any witnesses and businesses in that area and make a note of it.
All of this might seem like overkill, but it’ll be great to give to your lawyer, so there is nothing that can be pinned against you.
Seek Professional Legal Assistance
You’ll need to act quickly to preserve your legal rights. This may be difficult after an auto accident, but looking for a skilled pedestrian accident attorney can mean the difference between upholding your rights — or not. The right lawyer will ensure that you’re fully protected and receive as much compensation as possible.
After an accident like that, the last thing you want to do is juggle all the legal problems that come next. The right lawyer will take care of those tedious details like gathering the evidence, contacting the driver’s insurance, investigating the claim, and making sure it’s filed on time.
While many of the cases have the driver be at fault, other factors outside the driver’s or pedestrian’s control could have caused a pedestrian to get hit by a car. For example, there might be inadequate traffic signs for both the driver and person walking that confuses. Maybe something was obstructing the view of an important sign or the driver’s path.
Since these scenarios are often delicate, you’ll need good legal representation to ensure that all the details are looked over and they can answer all your questions.
Preventing Accidents
While you can’t control the way other people drive, you can make some changes as a pedestrian that will help ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Here are some steps you can take as a pedestrian to help prevent accidents:
- Be sure to follow all the rules of the roads and any signage.
- Sidewalks are your friends, walk on them if they’re an option.
- If there are no sidewalks, keep away from traffic.
- Stay alert and don’t get distracted by your phone or loud music.
- Be sure to cross where there are crosswalks and look both ways to check for any oncoming traffic.
- If there is no crosswalk or intersection available, find a clear and well-lit path. Be sure to cross when it’s absolutely safe.
- Make eye contact with the drivers to make sure they see you.
- Be as visible as possible. Bright colors during the day, reflective materials at night.
- Watch for cars that are entering or exiting driveways.
- Be extra cautious or avoid walking when you’re not sober, as this can impair sensibilities.
These tips are meant as a guideline to follow when you go out for a walk. While things can be unpredictable, you can be one step ahead by ensuring you’re taking the right precautions.
Pedestrian Crossing: Know What To Do
You don’t want to worry every time you go to take a walk. However, things happen and you’ll need to prepare for it. If you get hit by a car, there are steps you need to take to avoid a big headache in the future.
Be sure to seek medical attention, call the police, and find a good lawyer. As a pedestrian crossing the road, you should be aware of your surroundings and take preventative measures. While you may be used to driver safety, pedestrian safety is just as important.
If you’re seeking a personal injury lawyer in Florida, be sure to contact us for a free consultation!
