What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident

Each year, pedestrian accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Common reasons for pedestrian accidents include driver blind spots, lack of communication or faulty communication between drivers and pedestrians, and opposition to following road rules. Pedestrian accidents may happen in parking lots, roadways, on city streets, or on driveways. Injuries from pedestrian accidents vary from minor bruising, to severe injuries, and even death. In the unfortunate circumstance that you become involved in a pedestrian accident, the following steps are strongly encouraged.

Seek Medical Care

Seek medical care immediately after the accident occurs. If your injuries seem minor, seek medical care anyway, because it is better to be safe than sorry. Remember, although injuries may appear minor at first, many injuries grow worse over time. Injuries like internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, or a concussion are not usually visible to the naked eye. These injuries can take days to develop, especially when your adrenaline is high immediately after the accident. Aside from the medical benefit medical professionals can offer you, seeking medical care is important if you wish to file a claim or personal injury lawsuit. If there is no documentation of you seeking medical care, insurance companies can undermine your injuries, and thus deny your claim. The takeaway message is to always seek medical care after an accident.

File a Police Report

In you are hit by a car, dial 911 immediately. A police report is essential to document the accident, and to have a law enforcement officer present at the scene to follow through with accident protocol. While you wait for police to arrive, document as much as possible. Take photos of all injuries, the car that hit you, the license plate, and the scene of the accident. Exchange information with the other driver, including their contact information, their address, the driver’s car insurance information, vehicle model, and the registration number.

Talk to Witnesses

Witnesses are credible sources that can inform you and police officers on an outsider perspective on the accident. If you wish to file a claim or a personal injury lawsuit, the witness’ word may be a necessary component of enabling you to obtain the compensation you deserve. When talking to witnesses at the accident scene, document their statements, and exchange contact information, similar to the information collected from the driver.

Create an Injury Diary

Keep a diary to document all details of the process. This may include how your injury is improving or worsening, how different doctors are treating you, your emotions, your mood, dates of missed work, and other limitations such as being unable to exercise. The more information that is provided, the stronger your argument will be when you ask for compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, as well as additional monetary and non-monetary damages.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

After you have received medical attention, filed a police report, talked to witnesses, exchanged contact information and car information with the driver and witnesses, and maintained an injury diary, call a personal injury attorney. In this scenario, look for personal injury attorneys with the most experience and best reviews, both from other attorneys and clients. An effective personal injury attorney should make you feel comfortable, and keep you updated with all of the most recent progressions of the case.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash or truck accident and are in need of an accident attorney in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Ft. Myers or any other city in Florida –remember after 911, call 411! 1-800-411-PAIN can put you in touch with an experienced, aggressive network attorney who will fight for your rights and get the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t forget to follow 411 PAIN on Twitter (@411PAIN), keep up with the conversation at #411PAIN and check out the 411 PAIN event gallery 411painevents.com!