What to Do If You Get Hit by a Car While Walking
If you were hit by a car while walking or crossing the street, call 911 for medical assistance and police support. It is critical you get medical attention as soon as possible.
Allow a medical expert to evaluate and treat your injuries as soon as possible. Many injuries sustained during a pedestrian accident are internal and will not present with symptoms right away. These types of internal injuries can be fatal and must be detected quickly for proper treatment.
Additionally, getting medical treatment after you were hit by a car will also create essential medical documentation for an injury claim. This documentation shows the extent of the injuries you sustained. This type of evidence is key to a successful legal case against the driver of the car that hit you.
It will also help protect you from predatory insurance companies that claim you were not actually injured in the car accident. Insurance companies will often take your statements and twist them to make it seem as though your injuries are not serious. That’s why you must see a doctor after you are hit by a car while walking.
Additional steps to take after a pedestrian accident include the following:
What Should I Do If I Was Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?
Document Your Injuries and Lost Wages
Keep all medical documentation your healthcare provider gave you regarding the injuries from the accident. Make a file with all receipts related to the accident, including any bills for medical care or medications. If you have to take days off work due to your injuries, document how many hours you have missed and your lost wages for those hours.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Before Speaking to the Insurance Company
Once you have the driver’s insurance details, you can contact the company to file a claim against their mandatory liability coverage. It’s important that you take this step since the driver may have given false information and not have insurance, or they may choose not to report the accident.
However, before you begin talking to the insurance adjusters, you should arrange a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney. Understanding when do pedestrians have the right of way can be critical to determining fault and building a strong case.
An experienced injury attorney will be able to obtain the maximum amount of car accident compensation for victims and will navigate confusing insurance company tactics.
Once you have secured an attorney, they will communicate with the insurance company and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our California pedestrian accident lawyers at Curtis Legal Group and schedule your free consultation to learn more today.