Calling a pedestrian accident lawyer and saying, “I just got hit by a car while walking!” might be your first instinct in the aftermath of an unexpected crash. But this isn’t always the first thing you should do after your involvement in a pedestrian crash.
Take several important steps before doing this to put yourself in a stronger position to take legal action against the driver who caused your pedestrian accident.
Begin by Calling 911
You will want to make a call right after being involved in a pedestrian accident — but not to a personal injury lawyer just yet.
Instead, take out your smartphone and dial 911 to have police officers sent to the scene of your crash. Simply say, “I just got hit by a car while walking!” and a 911 operator should spring into action.
Or, if you can’t dial 911 yourself due to injuries, yell to bystanders or even the driver who hit you to call 911. You’ll need to arrange for local police to come to the scene immediately to launch an investigation.
Contact our team today so we can fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Seek Medical Attention for Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
If you’re badly injured during a pedestrian accident, request that a 911 operator send more than just police officers to the scene of your crash. Ask them to send paramedics as well so you can acquire the necessary medical attention and start a record of your injuries that you will need later should you decide to involve a lawyer.
If you don’t think you sustained any severe injuries in your pedestrian accident, you can also stick around on the scene until police arrive, speak with them, and then head to a nearby hospital for a medical evaluation. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals can analyze you from head to toe and uncover any potential injuries you may have suffered, not all of which may be apparent before the adrenaline wears off.
Keep any injury documentation you receive from medical professionals, along with any medical bills. They may come in handy if you take legal action against a driver later in an attempt to collect compensation for injuries you sustained. They can also help if you have to file an insurance claim related to your case.
Gather As Much Evidence As You Can From Your Accident Scene
The police officers who show up at the scene of your pedestrian accident will investigate every aspect of it. They’ll visually inspect your accident scene and speak to everyone involved in your crash to figure out what happened. This will help them determine whether it was driver negligence or negligence on your part that caused your crash.
You can also play a role in collecting evidence related to your pedestrian accident. Take as many photographs and videos of the scene of your accident as you can. Try to capture:
- The exact spot where you were when you realized, “I just got hit by a car while walking”
- The crosswalk that you were walking in when you were hit
- Traffic lights and signs in the area
- Skid marks that might suggest a driver slammed on their brakes before hitting you
- Evidence of the injuries you sustained during your accident
Some of this evidence will start to disappear as police officers work to clean up the scene of your accident following their investigation. Ensure you maintain accurate records of this evidence so you have it when exploring your legal options.
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Ask Anyone Who May Have Witnessed Your Accident for Their Contact Information
Did anyone witness your pedestrian accident? Maybe you were crossing a street to meet up with a friend who witnessed your crash — or maybe you noticed a stranger standing on a corner near your accident crash scene who likely saw everything that happened when a car hit you.
You can use witnesses to your advantage if you choose to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Don’t be afraid to ask them for their contact information so that a pedestrian accident attorney or an insurance company can reach out to them to hear their side of the story.
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Discuss Your Crash With a Reliable Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Do you believe the driver who hit you while you were walking was responsible for your crash? Your legal options might allow you to file a lawsuit against them and collect compensation that you can use to cover medical bills and other accident expenses.
Before deciding whether to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, schedule a consultation with a reliable pedestrian accident lawyer in your area. They can listen to you explain the specifics of your case, determine its viability, and deliver legal guidance if you choose to move forward with a case.
A dedicated pedestrian accident attorney can also handle every aspect of a personal injury case if you choose to file one. They can:
- File the proper paperwork related to your pedestrian accident and serve legal documents to the defendant in your case
- Hold settlement negotiations with the legal team for a defendant to try to avoid seeing your case go to trial
- Take your pedestrian accident case to trial if the defendant in your lawsuit refuses to agree to a fair settlement
Be sure you consider all your options when it comes to pedestrian accident lawyers. Search for one with an excellent reputation within your community. Also, ensure that they have more than enough experience.
Contact Us for Help With Finding a Local Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 60,000 Americans sustain injuries during pedestrian accidents annually. If you were struck by a vehicle, touch base with a local personal injury lawyer and say: “I got hit by a car while walking. Can you please help?”
Accident Hotline can connect you with the right pedestrian accident attorney. They can help you recover from broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and even more serious ailments like a brain injury that could impact your life for years.
Call Accident Hotline at (818) 666-2765 today to arrange a free, 24/7 legal consultation.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454
