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Walking Without Necessary Protection
When a car crash occurs, all parties involved have a frame around them to help ensure they are protected, at least to some degree, from harm and injuries. When you are on foot, you are without any necessary protection and are vulnerable to vehicles around you. However mindful and aware you may be, incidents involving pedestrians are common and can quickly lead to devastating results.
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a pedestrian incident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue the damages you rightfully deserve.
First Things First
Immediately following the incident, you should call for medical help and contact law enforcement. Report the incident to the local authorities and ensure they have your report on file regarding the details. If they come to the scene, they can provide a neutral and experienced analysis of what occurred and what led up to the incident. They see several accidents daily, so they have a polished perspective on what to look for. This account can be invaluable for you in the future.
Exchange information with the driver of the vehicle that hit you. Collect contact information from those who may have witnessed the incident and an account of what they saw that led up to your injuries.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Don’t hesitate to have a full medical exam completed, even if you feel that your injuries may be minor. Many injuries, particularly those involving soft tissue such as a concussion, can present without symptoms for a short time. Whether due to adrenaline or some injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. If you aren’t experiencing symptoms but you have bumped your head in any way, seek medical attention immediately.
Seeking medical attention serves a few purposes. First, it ensures that you get the medical attention you need, even if you don’t feel you need it. You could have injuries beneath the surface that will fester and worsen with time if you wait to be checked out.
Also, by having an established starting point for a medical exam directly following the incident, you can provide assurance to relative parties that the injuries sustained were a direct result of the incident and not caused elsewhere.
Get Pictures or Videos
Get pictures or videos of the scene and the vehicle that hit you if you can. It’s also essential to have a zoned-out image of the scene to establish whether or not weather or other relevant facts may have played a role in the incident.
If you cannot get pictures due to injuries, ask if someone who witnessed the event can get some for you, and confirm their contact information so they can send the information to you while you seek medical attention.
Include street signs, damage to the vehicle, your injuries, the place where you landed and any of your items that may have been spilled onto the ground, any traffic signs or speed limit signs in the area that may be pertinent to your incident, and more.
If the injuries occurred in an intersection, you should check with the city later and determine whether or not the stoplight/sign has a camera. Similarly, if the incident occurred next to a public building, you should consult the business owner to see if they have video surveillance and ask that they keep a recording of that time/day.
Stay Calm
This step may be a tall order as if you are injured, emotions are likely high. Try to stay calm and remain focused and not get into lengthy discussions or altercations with the vehicle’s driver.
Keep the conversation to the facts, deflect any anger or emotions they may present, and remain focused on gathering pertinent information and then tending to your medical needs.
It’s important to note that if you can’t remain calm, the driver’s insurance company may use your emotions against you if they can, so it’s best to keep communication with the driver brief and professional.
Ways to Protect Yourself as a Pedestrian
There are a few things to keep in mind when walking, whether in a busy city area or a rural one, to help keep your chances of injuries down.
Assume that drivers can’t see you. This idea may seem hard to grasp, especially in daylight or a well-lit area, but some drivers simply zone out while driving or are focused on other vehicles but not those on foot. While this is not your fault, it can help to avoid serious injury to assume that drivers can’t see you and give them more room than is necessary.
Cross only at crosswalks, and give cars from either direction ample time to see you stepping out into the crosswalk. People don’t always obey traffic laws; don’t assume that they will remain stopped at a red light without taking off just as you are walking through the crosswalk. Try to obtain eye contact with all drivers as you enter the crosswalk.
Use sidewalks where possible. Utilizing sidewalks when possible gives you extra safety cushion from traffic moving back and forth alongside you. Although it’s not bulletproof, using the sidewalk can help avoid unnecessary incidents.
You Need an Experienced Legal Professional
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to pursue damages for your injuries and emotional distress. You shouldn’t have to face the aftermath of an incident alone.
Call our office today at (225) 263-6194 to learn how we can best assist you and your family. We work tirelessly for our clients and fiercely advocate for their best interests.
