What Pedestrians Should Do After Being Hit by a Car

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calculated 5,376 pedestrians were killed in 2015 after being hit by a car. This figure shows almost 500 more pedestrian deaths in 2015 than in 2014. Walkers already know some important rules to follow when they have to share a roadway with cars: wear bright clothing, carry a flashlight, stick to sidewalks if possible, and cross at crosswalks. But pedestrians also need to be aware of important steps to take after being hit by a car.

Important Tips for Pedestrians

  • If you can, document the scene. If you’ve suffered debilitating injuries, you should skip this step and simply wait for an ambulance. However, if you’re able to operate your camera phone, you may want to snap a few pictures of the area on the street where you were hit. This process can provide proof that you were not at fault: you could photograph the crosswalk you used, for example. Photos can also demonstrate a particularly harrowing intersection, or a poorly placed stoplight that is often overlooked.
  • Seek medical help right away. Even if you were able to get up right after the accident, you need to go to the hospital. Often, a person who experienced a frightening incident has a high amount of adrenaline pumping through their body, which masks their ability to notice pain. Your injuries could show up hours or maybe days later. A hospital report may also help your court case and allow you to collect damages for any medical issues that stem from the accident.
  • File a police report. Again, contacting the police right away is important for your case. A police report gives a detailed account of what happened, including statements from any witnesses who can corroborate the story. Officers also usually cite whomever was at fault. If you’re in too much pain to call, ask a witness or one of the emergency medical technicians on the scene to call for you.
  • Avoid lengthy conversations with the insurance company. When informed of an accident, insurance companies immediately go into protection mode: neither side wants to pay, so they will turn to the people involved in the accident to try to place fault. Anything you say to the driver’s insurance company can be used against you, so it’s best to avoid speaking to them, no matter how often they call. You may want to give a short overview of the incident to your insurance company, but it might be a good idea to speak to your attorney before you do so.
  • Talk to a personal injury attorney. When you’re a victim of an accident, you’re often left hurt physically, and you could experience some mental anguish as well. It may be helpful to have a personal injury attorney handle your case. Attorneys have more experience in the field than you do, so they know what documents and statements the court will want to see. An attorney can handle the administrative aspect of your case and speak to the insurance companies for you, giving you time to recover from your traumatic event.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney

The personal injury attorneys at Udall Shumway, PLC have helped countless pedestrians get compensation for their accidents. Call today to see what we can do for you.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you or someone you know wishes to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney regarding After Being Hit by a Car, or other personal injury matters, call 480.461.5300. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.