Steps a Pedestrian Should Take After Being Hit by a Car

Life can be unpredictable, and even the most benign venture out of one’s home for a walk can result in a fatal traffic crash or severe injuries caused by a driver’s negligence. As inattentive motorists continue to pay more attention to their vehicles’ complex dashboards and their mobile phones, the incidence of motor vehicle accidents in which pedestrians are struck and severely injured is on the rise.

In the United States, more than 137,000 pedestrians required emergency medical treatments for injuries they sustained after being hit by motor vehicles. Despite stringent traffic rules and regulations in Philadelphia, such accidents continue to frequently occur. Pedestrians bear the brunt of the serious injuries in these accidents because they have the physical protection against the heavy machinery on the road. Victims who suffer from injuries caused when they were hit by a car should get in touch with a professional car accident lawyer to identify the legal options available to them in terms of seeking appropriate compensation for their losses. 

Anyone is at risk of becoming a victim of a pedestrian accident, even while commuting to work by foot or simply enjoying the outdoors. Outlined below are the important steps that any pedestrian needs to take immediately after being hit by a car. Adhering to these steps can help to safeguard the injured pedestrian’s legal rights and minimize the negative effects of the accident.

Undergo Medical Treatment

The most important thing to do after being hit by a car is seeking medical assessment and treatment. If you are conscious following the initial impact, be sure to either call for an ambulance yourself or have someone else at the scene do so on your behalf. It is highly advisable for the injured party to board the ambulance and seek care at the hospital, even if the injuries may not seem serious right away. Some injuries, especially internal injuries, may not be readily apparent in the immediate aftermath of the car’s impact. If you lose consciousness and cannot take the lead on seeking medical care for yourself, the motorist who hit you is responsible for ensuring that you are afforded appropriate emergency medical treatment and that the accident is properly reported to local law enforcement.

Collect Relevant Information

If you are well enough to do so after you are hit by a car and have already obtained medical assistance, it may be valuable to return to the scene of the accident so you can gather valuable evidence regarding the accident. In addition to recording information about the model and make of the vehicle that hit you, the motorist’s contact information, and the motorist’s insurance information, be sure to preserve the clothing you wore during the accident in the condition the accident left them, and seek reports from any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur.

Capture Images at the Scene of the Accident

To support your proof of the motorist's fault in the accident, capture as many photographs as you can to depict the scene of the accident. Doing this can potentially help you with insurance claims, case settlements, and litigation. Ensure that you take photos of the injuries you suffered and other marks on your body caused when the inattentive motorist’s car hit you.

At the scene of the accident, you should look for skid marks on the ground and take clear photos of them. Additionally, take photographs of damage to the vehicle that hit you and damage to any other property that was hit in the accident.

Report the Incident to Police

You should report the traffic accident to the police as soon as possible, either at the scene or afterward at a police station. Ensure that the police properly document all of the events that led up to the crash and your resulting injuries. Ask for a copy of the report for your own records, because your insurance company and lawyer will need this for litigation or negotiating a settlement. 

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

After a pedestrian accident, many victims who survive will experience physical and mental conditions, as well as related financial issues. A Philadelphia personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim against the motorist who hit you and increase your chances of securing fair compensation. Having an experienced and qualified injury attorney by your side can help you protect your legal rights and livelihood.