Cars are part of the fabric of our daily lives. With automobiles whizzing past everywhere you go, it can be easy to forget how dangerous they are. You could be reminded of that danger in the worst possible way if you’re the victim of a pedestrian accident.
From the victim’s perspective, a pedestrian accident can be painful and overwhelming. You might be asking yourself, “Who hit me? Am I injured? Should I call the police?” You may even need to hire an auto accident attorney like these. In situations like that, it is essential to have a solid plan that you can rely on to get you through the trauma of your accident and deal with the aftermath.
Fortunately, the actions you should take are relatively straightforward to remember. Familiarizing yourself with this procedure can help you cut through the confusion of the immediate aftermath. Below are the six most important steps to take after a pedestrian accident.
Table of Contents
Find your way to safety
Source: wanderglobe.org
Before your head has even stopped spinning, you’re probably overwhelmed with what this accident means for you and what you have to do. As such, it can be challenging to maintain your focus and prioritize your next steps. Before you contact your lawyer, call the police, or exchange contact information, the first order of business is to move yourself to a safe location.
While it may seem like the worst has already happened, it doesn’t mean you’re safe where you are. After being struck, you’re likely lying in the road, injured and confused. Your first course of action should be to move from the street or crosswalk to an area with no vehicular traffic.
In most cases, it’s best to move to the side of the road where there is minimal risk of experiencing an additional accident. Once you are safe, you can take a deep breath, clear your head, and focus on what’s next.
Assess your health
Source: xediton.com
After you find a safe area where you can regain some of your composure, you should take stock of your physical wellbeing. In the chaos of the moment, you may fail to recognize injuries or fail to realize the degree to which you are injured.
When you’re in a traumatic situation such as a pedestrian accident, your body will respond by producing adrenaline. That adrenaline can help you withstand more significant levels of pain than you usually could. Adrenaline enables you to escape from dangerous situations, but it might also be masking the extent of your injuries.
Again, once you find a secure space away from traffic, you should make your best effort to relax. Once you have reached a relatively calm state, check your body from head to toe for damage.
If you have any wounds, many of them may be visible on the surface of your body. However, it is also critical that you assess your internal state as well. Car accidents are notorious for causing brain and spinal cord injuries. For that reason, you should evaluate your health with care after a pedestrian accident and seek medical attention if you need it.
Remember as many details as you can
Source: lilawyer.com
If you aren’t seriously injured enough to need medical attention, begin noting as many details as you can. The more you recognize and remember the scene and details of the accident, the better able you will be to convey the story to others.
What is most important is to remember the details of the accident itself. Recall who was involved in the situation, where they were, and how they contributed to the accident. Details will be freshest in the immediate aftermath, so be sure to write down everything you remember.
In many pedestrian accident cases, there is a dispute about who is at fault for the action. If you hope to avoid taking the blame, the best approach is to know the story of the accident inside and out.
Reach out to the police
Source: theconversation.com
Now that you have a firm grasp of the situation, you are ready to contact the police. At times, the other people involved in the accident may be very reluctant to contact the authorities. Despite any potential resistance, you should always reach out to the police after a pedestrian accident.
Be ready to tell the police your side of the story when they arrive. The police officer on the scene will speak with everyone there to create a report and determine who was at fault for the accident.
Collect as much information as you can
Source: owenhodge.com.au
Before leaving the scene, take every opportunity you have to collect information. Always exchange contact information with everyone who was part of the accident. You should also collect contact info from anyone who saw the accident occur if you need to rely on an eye-witness testimony later on.
You’ll also have the opportunity to get a copy of the official police report, which will be a crucial document if there is any dispute about the facts of the accident. Likewise, if you did receive any medical attention, you should keep a record of the care you received.
Find the right lawyer
Source: allpeers.com
After being the victim of a pedestrian accident, it is wise to seek the assistance of a lawyer. As you’ll find, many lawyers specialize in pedestrian and automobile accidents.
A lawyer can help you determine the extent to which your pedestrian accident has impacted your life. This impact could include complications such as ongoing physical disability and long-term financial loss.
Finding the right lawyer can help you cut and cover those losses. For example, if you had medical bills or needed time off work to recover, the accident cost you money. With their help, you can find the exact amount your accident cost you and explore options for recouping those expenses.
In summary
No one wants to deal with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident. But if you’re ever on the wrong side of an accident, you don’t want to be victimized twice. Coming prepared with a course of action can set you on the right track towards handling the situation.
