Five Things Pedestrians Should do After Being Struck by a Vehicle
While all car accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries, certain types of collisions tend to be particularly devastating for victims. Pedestrian-motorist collisions fall under this category, as the former are much less likely to escape an accident without suffering serious injuries. When this kind of accident occurs and could have been avoided, but for the negligent conduct of another party, injured pedestrians could be entitled to damages compensating them for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, so if you were injured in a pedestrian-vehicle collision, it is important to contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney who can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Seeking Medical Treatment
Of the five most important steps that pedestrians can take to secure their claim after an accident, obtaining medical treatment is the most crucial and should be undertaken before anything else. Not only does seeking medical assistance ensure that injured parties immediately begin receiving the treatment that will give them the best possible chance of a full recovery, it also begins the process of building a record linking the accident to specific injuries. Injured pedestrians who fail to take this step and later end up taking their claims to court, could face significant hurdles when asked to prove that a defendant’s actions caused their injuries.
Reporting the Accident
Most accidents between pedestrians and motorists are serious and so should be reported to local law enforcement officers and emergency responders as soon as possible. Taking this step can play a critical role in establishing a timeline of events that may be necessary in a personal injury case. Having proof of a police report can also make it much more difficult for an at-fault party’s insurer to dispute the time, location, and cause of an accident.
Obtaining the Other Party’s Contact Information
Many pedestrians who are injured in accidents with vehicles are too severely injured to obtain the contact information of the motorist who caused their crash. Those who are physically able to take this step, however, should try to record the driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance carrier. Fortunately, pedestrians who are unable to collect this information can often glean it from the police report created after their accident.
Documenting Your Injuries
Creating a thorough record of your injuries is one of the best ways that a person can solidify his or her pedestrian accident claim. This could include requesting documentation from a health care provider detailing injuries and treatment, such as medical bills, photos of injuries, including X-ray and MRI images, a physician’s notes, prescribed treatment plans, and copies of prescription medications. Many injured pedestrians are also encouraged to keep an injury journal in which they provide details about their accident-related symptoms, physical limitations, and emotional distress.
Contacting an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
California is a no-fault insurance state, so one of the first steps that accident victims must take is to submit their claim to the other party’s insurer. Retaining a lawyer is critical at this juncture, as it ensures that injured pedestrians are not tricked into accepting a low ball settlement offer. To get started on your own car accident claim, please call the dedicated car accident attorneys at Wagner Zemming Christensen, LLP today. You can reach our legal team at 951-686-4800, or by completing one of our brief online contact forms.