In 2019, there were over 6,500 pedestrian deaths in the United States alone. That’s the highest amount since the late 1980s.
Getting hit by a car is a traumatic experience, and it can be hard to know what to do in the aftermath of the accident. As a pedestrian, if you got hit by a car, it’s crucial that you take the proper steps immediately after being hit.
But, what are all the things you need to do? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn all the steps you should take if you’ve been hit by a car.
Assess Yourself and Your Injuries
Being hit by a car is a shock and you will likely suffer injuries as a result. Before you do anything else, take a deep breath and assess your body. Are you hurt and bleeding? Does it feel safe to stand up?
If you’re worried you have serious injuries, especially to the head or neck, try not to move until medical assistance arrives. If you have more minor injuries, still take it easy and remember that more serious injuries may develop over time.
If you can move, get out of the street and to a safer area nearby to reduce your risk of further injuries.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
Once you’ve determined if you’re ok to carefully move around, use your phone to take pictures of the scene. You’ll want to take pictures of the following:
- Your injuries
- The car and license plate
- Any debris in the road
- The area where the accident occurred
- Weather conditions
The more photos you take, the better your chances of having solid evidence of the accident should the case eventually go to court. It’s better to take too many photos than to not take enough.
Call the Police
Next, you’ll need to call local law enforcement to come out to the scene. The police officer will assess the scene and take statements from you, the driver of the car, and any witnesses on the scene.
Again, it will be helpful to have this on file should you end up going to court over the accident. It’s important to remember that you should never take fault for the accident when talking to the driver, witnesses, or police officers in the immediate aftermath.
Should you take the blame at the scene, this could be used against you later in court.
Exchange Information With the Driver
Unfortunately, in the case of pedestrian accidents, the driver may be tempted to flee the scene to avoid getting in trouble. In fact, around 20% of all pedestrian deaths were the result of a hit-and-run.
If the driver that hits you flees the scene, there’s not much you can do other than gather witness information. However, if the driver involved in your accident stays, you’ll need to exchange information with him or her.
Ask for the driver’s name and license information, license plate number, and insurance information. This will make it easier for you when filing a claim.
Gather Witness Information
Once you have the driver’s information, you’ll need to talk to witnesses at the scene. Ask them for their names and contact information, so you can reach out to them in the future if needed for your court case.
Witnesses should also give their statements to the police officer that arrives on the scene. From speaking to witnesses, you’ll be able to piece together what took place just before, during, and immediately after the accident.
Additionally, if your case ends up going to court, eyewitness testimony can be a powerful piece of evidence that works in your favor.
Go to the Doctor
After you’ve gathered as much information as you can on the scene, you need to go to the hospital to be checked for injuries. Even if you initially feel fine, you might develop aches and pains down the road, or a more serious injury can develop.
It’s also important to have a record of visiting the doctor should you go to court. If you refuse medical treatment initially and then develop an issue like back pain, that could work against you in your court case.
An immediate medical evaluation can help keep you healthy and strengthen your court case down the line.
Contact the Driver’s Insurance
One of the reasons you need the driver’s information is so you can open an insurance claim. You’ll want to contact the driver’s insurance company and give them the driver’s information and tell them the date and location of the accident.
However, remember that the insurance company is not on your side. You should never admit responsibility for the accident and don’t give them more information than is absolutely needed.
You’ll also want to avoid answering too many questions, as they could be used against you during the court proceedings.
Contact an Attorney
The final step to take is to contact an attorney that specializes in pedestrian accidents. By talking to a lawyer who is familiar with cases like yours, you can learn about your rights and decide whether you want to pursue legal action.
Your attorney will look out for your best interests and help you reach a settlement if possible. If the case goes to court, working with a personal injury attorney is the best course of action to help you win your case.
Your legal team will review all the details of the accident and form the best course of action to help you receive the damages you’re owed.
If You Got Hit By a Car, We’re Here to Help
As a team of experienced personal injury attorneys, we understand how stressful and overwhelming it is to be involved in an accident.
If you are a pedestrian who got hit by a car, contact us today to set up a consultation with our team. We’ll help you through this difficult time and have your back throughout the process from start to finish.
