What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
It’s hard to imagine, but thousands of pedestrians get hurt in Los Angeles each year. Even though there are street signs and sidewalks over most of our walkable cities, accidents still happen. And the reasons behind them vary.
Sometimes the driver of a vehicle just doesn’t see the pedestrian for one reason or another. Or the pedestrian lights at an intersection malfunction, making it appear as if it’s safe to cross when it isn’t. Other times there may be some freak concurrence of events, like a roadside curb crumbles beneath a pedestrian’s foot, pitching them into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Pedestrian accident lawyers in Los Angeles say that there are so many different reasons why a pedestrian might be involved in a vehicle accident. If this happens to you, here’s what to do:
- Remain Calm
If you’re hit by a car, your first instinct might be to lash out at the driver to let them know just what you think of their driving skills, but this doesn’t help anyone. The driver is just as likely to lash back. It’s a no-win scenario. Instead, remain calm. If you can move out of the street. Better yet, have someone help you to get out of the street. Chances are that you’re so disoriented and in shock that you won’t even know which way to go. The accident attorneys in Los Angeles residents trust recommend that you stay calm and allow yourself to be helped off the road by a kind passerby until medical help can arrive. - Don’t Let the Driver Leave
Let whoever is helping you know that they shouldn’t allow the driver to leave the scene of an accident. According to pedestrian defense attorneys in LA, leaving the scene of an accident is not only illegal but will also complicate matters tremendously. The driver needs to stay put until law enforcement arrives. The driver will have to show their license and registration as well as proof of auto insurance. You’ll be given access to all this information through the police report. You can’t physically stop the driver from - Only Talk to the Police
It’s best not to engage with the driver. To do so may incite anger or even violence. And the last thing you want to do is say anything that insinuates you are at fault for the accident. Getting hit by a vehicle is hard on you, but the driver may be in a terrible state as well. They may feel frightened or worried about what’s going to happen to them. For these reasons, it’s best that you and the driver only give statements to the police, not to each other. Avoiding bystanders and witnesses is just as important unless necessary. - See a Doctor
When law enforcement and emergency services arrive, accept the medical treatment offered to you. They will transport you to a doctor for further evaluation. Being in a pedestrian accident is very traumatic. Initially, when you get injured, you won’t notice the extent of them due to the adrenalin flowing through your body. Once you’ve calmed down, you’ll likely feel extreme discomfort from the fall itself, as well as intense pain if you’ve sustained a serious injury such as concussion, gashes, bruises, breaks and so forth. Before you get discharged, request a copy of your medical report. It will serve as proof in your personal injury case. - Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
You’re going to want to have legal representation to help you get justice for the pedestrian accident. As soon as you’re able, contact a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles and let them know what happened. A benefit to doing this right away is that they’ll be able to help advise you as to what you should do and what you shouldn’t do next.
Being in a pedestrian accident likely caused you a lot of injuries, and medical care is expensive. In order that you get the compensation you deserve you’ll need an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. Call us today to schedule your first consultation! We’re here to help while you get you back on your feet.