Steps to Take Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident

Been hit by a car while walking? You’re not alone. Pedestrian accidents are occurring more frequently on our roads and taking the right actions immediately afterward could significantly impact both your recovery process and potential legal claims.

Recent statistics show that 7,318 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents across the country during 2023. Pedestrian deaths decreased by 5% from 2022 to 2023 but remained much higher than the 6,412 fatalities recorded in 2019 according to GHSA.

The thing is…

Following a pedestrian accident most people do not know what actions they should perform. Shock and trauma make it hard to think clearly yet the immediate actions you perform afterward are vital.

We’ll now review the essential steps you should take immediately after a pedestrian accident.

What You’ll Find Here:

1. Call Emergency Services Immediately
2. Document Everything at the Scene
3. Get medical help after the incident even though you think you’re okay.
4. Report the Accident to Police
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
6. Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
7. Follow Up on Medical Treatment
8. Document Your Recovery Process

Call Emergency Services Immediately

Your initial action following an incident must be to dial 911. You must call emergency services as soon as possible regardless of how small your injuries appear.

Why? Because:

• Official accident reports produced by police form the foundational documentation required for successful claims.
• Medical responders have the ability to detect injuries that may not be immediately visible.
• Authorities need to formally document the identity of the driver involved in the incident.

Pedestrian accident victims often wrongly skip calling emergency services because they believe they are fine or want to avoid escalating the incident. The Johnson Attorneys Group pedestrian accident lawyers stress that obtaining initial documentation plays a key role in establishing case facts while protecting your rights from the start.

The need for proper emergency response and documentation becomes critical in California, Florida, and Texas because these states experience 37% of all pedestrian fatalities.

Document Everything at the Scene

You should collect evidence at the scene when possible because it holds significant importance. This includes:

• Capture the accident scene through various photographs from different perspectives.
• Pictures of your injuries
• Collect the driver’s license plate number and vehicle make and model at the accident scene.
• Collect both driver details and witness contact information.
• Road conditions, traffic signals, and weather information

Your phone is your best friend here. Use your phone to capture multiple images and record voice memos about the event while its details remain fresh in your mind. Don’t rely on memory – document everything.

A driver might initially accept responsibility at the accident site yet alter their account afterward. Having documentation protects you from this situation.

Seek Medical Attention – Even If You Feel Fine

Here’s something many people don’t realize…

The most serious injuries often remain symptom-free for a significant amount of time. Adrenaline coursing through your body hides pain and symptoms of serious injuries.

Common delayed-onset injuries include:

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal disc injuries
• PTSD and other psychological trauma

The number of pedestrian injuries from auto accidents in Michigan rose to 1,743 in 2023, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. The full extent of these injuries was not visible to first responders at the accident location.

Prompt medical attention generates an official medical record which shows a direct link between your injuries and the accident. A medical record becomes crucial when you need to support an insurance claim or legal action afterwards.

Report the Accident to Police

Make sure a police report is filed. Should police officers fail to arrive at the scene you must visit the nearest police station immediately to complete a report.

The police report should include:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Contact information for all parties involved
• Statements from witnesses
• Officer’s assessment of what happened

Get a copy of this report to keep in your records. The police report documents the incident officially and serves as crucial evidence for insurance claims or legal proceedings.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Inform your insurance provider about the accident regardless of whether you were the driver. Your auto policy might offer protection when you walk as a pedestrian, while your health insurance must be notified about accident-related injuries.

When speaking with insurance representatives:

• Stick to the facts
• Don’t speculate about fault
• Don’t minimize your injuries
• Don’t provide recorded statements without legal advice
• Don’t accept a quick settlement offer

Keep in mind that insurance companies are focused on minimizing their payment amounts. The initial settlement proposal from insurance companies typically represents their lowest possible offer.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Hiring a lawyer after a pedestrian accident has significant effects on the case resolution. A pedestrian accident attorney can:

• Handle all communications with insurance companies
• Gather and preserve evidence
• Calculate your damages, including future costs
• Negotiate for a fair settlement
• Take your case to trial if necessary

Prompt legal counsel ensures better outcomes in your case. The disappearance of evidence combined with strict claim deadlines creates urgency.

Follow Up on Medical Treatment

Your health should be your top priority. Make sure to:

• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Complete prescribed therapy
• Take medications as directed
• Keep detailed records of all medical care

Every October proves to be the deadliest month for Michigan pedestrians since 2013 with 183 fatalities in 2023 which marks nearly a 6% rise from the previous year.

Document Your Recovery Process

Record daily details about your pain levels while noting any activities you can’t perform anymore along with missed work days and accident-related expenses.

Documenting the accident’s impact on your life helps build a strong case for receiving fair compensation.

Document your healing progress by photographing visible injuries as they improve.

Know Your Rights as a Pedestrian

Most pedestrians remain unaware of their substantial legal protections. The laws in most states give pedestrians the right of way when they are in crosswalks and intersections while drivers must practice careful driving.

Your legal entitlement to compensation remains valid despite crossing outside of a designated crosswalk. Under comparative negligence rules most states allow individuals to obtain compensation even when they share part of the fault.

Your potential compensation is determined by the extent of your injuries along with any lost wages and medical bills in addition to your pain and suffering.

Watch Out for Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies use strategies to minimize payouts:

• Pressuring you to give recorded statements
• Making quick, lowball settlement offers
• Downplaying your injuries
• Insurance companies often prolong the claims process to make you abandon your claim.

An experienced pedestrian accident attorney protects you against these tactics while making sure you receive fair treatment.

The Statute of Limitations – Don’t Delay

The legal time frame to file personal injury claims varies by state but generally falls between 1 to 3 years. Missing the deadline removes your ability to pursue damages.

The countdown to the legal deadline begins at the time of your accident thus immediate action is crucial.

Wrapping Up: Your Action Plan After a Pedestrian Accident

A pedestrian who gets struck by a vehicle may experience life-altering effects. Your recovery process and legal rights depend heavily on the immediate actions you take after an accident.

To recap what you should do:

• Call 911 immediately
• Document the scene thoroughly
• Seek medical attention right away
• Report the accident to police
• Notify your insurance company
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney
• Follow through with medical treatment
• Document your recovery process

Following these steps positions you to safeguard both your health and your legal rights. A proper support network can significantly impact your recovery journey even though it may extend for a long period.

Pedestrian accidents frequently occur nationwide while California, Florida, and Texas together represent 37% of pedestrian fatalities. Protect yourself immediately after an accident to avoid becoming just another statistic.