According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian accidents accounted for 6,283 deaths and 767 injuries in 2018 in the United States. This staggering number is proof that pedestrians are at great risk when they share the road with motor vehicles. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you must seek help from a reputable pedestrian accident law firm. This article will guide you on how to handle such situations and explore legal recourse for victims.
Assess The Injuries And Seek Medical Attention
The first step after being involved in a pedestrian accident is to assess your injuries. Even if it’s only minor cuts and bruises, you should seek medical attention immediately since some of these injuries might develop into serious complications, especially internal bleeding or spinal cord issues.
If possible, move out of harm’s way to prevent further risks while waiting for medical help. You can also contact law enforcement agencies as they will be needed later.
Collect Details From Witnesses And Document The Scene
Once medical attention has been sought for the injured person(s), gather all details from eyewitnesses who were present at the scene. Be sure to obtain their names and contact information so that they may be contacted later if necessary.
Documentation is essential in any legal claim; therefore, it’s important that photos are taken from different angles highlighting everything relevant about the scene, like perspectives of car damage(s), weather conditions that could affect visibility or slipperiness of pavement (especially during night-time), etc.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After seeking medical assistance and gathering personal/hereditary details and photographs from eyewitnesses, notify your insurance company about the incident immediately. Ensure there’s no lapse between notification periods, as action taken by some companies sometimes depends on the time frame given by the policyholder after an occurrence (proof of negligence). Provide every detail encountered about hospital bills associated with treatment, property damages incurred (broken phones, cars, houses, laptops, or work tools) where applicable, responses by hospital management, and responses received from witnesses questioned, just to name a few. This is not only an essential obligation of the coverage policy but will also keep your agent fully aware of what has happened and assist in issuing guidance, advice, and the total claim effort required.
Legal Recourse For Victims
Victims of pedestrian accidents can seek legal recourse by pursuing compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional distress, and even punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s intent was severe.
Negligence law applies when a driver fails to observe their duty of care towards other occupants on the road. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable because they are less protected than vehicle drivers or passengers. Most pedestrian accident litigation claims usually require representation from experienced attorneys with good evidence protection credentials who would act protectively towards clients on all sides. Personal injury lawyers specialize in similar cases with countless years under their belts and state-of-the-art investigative techniques, which help leverage decent compensation packages within a reasonable time frame. You ought to assess a lawyer’s level of expertise garnered over previous work done before settling down with one that you feel comfortable entrusting your legal affairs. Wearing visible gear like headlights and reflective fabric clothing can play integral roles in determining the ruling cause. It points out risk mitigation taken before the incident occurred, implicitly stating occurrence might have been averted if efforts had been applied earlier.
Conclusion
Pedestrian accidents are highly unfortunate situations that can cause severe injuries or even death. Should it occur, seeking urgent medical attention while imaging the location scene for documentation purposes would go a long way if any issues could arise afterward against the driver involved. Upon gaining consciousness, contacting insurance agencies and seeking professional legal representation, if necessary, is crucial. This is an integral part of handling the aftermath of a pedestrian accident. Obtaining legal recourse can help cover current or future bills. The best professional representation is crucial.
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