Pedestrian accidents are often unavoidable, and sometimes injuries occur without warning. If you're ever involved in such a situation, there are certain things you can do to make sure you receive proper medical attention. Here are some tips to help you deal with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident.
1. Stay Calm and Try to Determine Any InjuriesThe first thing you'll want to do is stay calm, especially if you're involved in a car crash. This is because it's important to assess your situation and take stock of what happened. You could be injured, and you don't want to panic.
However, staying calm is essential to determining whether or not you have injuries that prevent you from being able to move. You should know relatively quickly if you can move. If you can, try to move out of the roadway if you were knocked into it.
If you cannot move, ask someone to call 9-1-1, and wait for help to arrive.
2. Call the PoliceYou've just had an accident. Whether you're involved in a car crash or slip and fall, calling the police is always a good idea. They'll take down information about what happened, including the names of anyone involved, and they'll help keep everyone safe while they wait for emergency crews to arrive.
Calling the police will usually notify the emergency services too so that they can arrive to check to see if anyone needs medical attention. And if you're injured, calling the police will probably alert people nearby to come over and look out for you.
If you don't want to talk to the police, you can ask someone else to do it. But you'll still need to file an official report of the incident later, so you might as well let the professionals handle things now.
3. Get the Driver's InformationEven if you think you aren't injured, try not to allow the driver to leave. If you are able to safely pull over, call 911 immediately. Ask the driver for his/her name, address, phone number, insurance policy number, and vehicle registration. Take down the driver’s license number and the car’s VIN number. This way, you'll know what type of car he/she drives, where he/she lives, and whether there are outstanding warrants out for him/her.
If possible, take photos of the scene. Make note of anything unusual, such as broken glass or debris. Also, ask the driver if anyone else was in the vehicle. If you see injuries, take pictures of those too.
Once you've got the necessary information, write down everything you remember about the situation, including the date and time. You want to document everything you saw and heard while you were dealing with the driver.
4. Gather EvidenceAfter a car accident, it's important to gather as much evidence as possible. This includes taking photos of the scene, documenting damage to vehicles and property, and collecting witness statements. If there are injuries involved, make sure to document those too.
If you're able to speak with the person responsible for the crash, ask about insurance coverage and whether he/she will pay out damages. You'll want to know this information ahead of time because you don't want to waste your time getting into a legal battle over money.
5. Seek Medical AttentionIf emergency personnel didn't already arrive at the scene of the crash, make sure you go to the nearest hospital and seek medical attention immediately. This includes checking for injuries such as broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, etc. Also, take photos of the vehicle involved in the collision and keep it safe as evidence. You never know what might happen in the future.
6. Deal With Insurance CompaniesAn uninsured motorist policy covers damages caused by someone who does not have auto liability insurance. If you are involved in an accident where another party does not carry insurance, you could be eligible for compensation up to the limits of your policy. You may be able to recover the money directly from the driver's insurance company, or from your own insurer. However, it is important to know what steps to take next.
The first thing to consider is whether you want to pursue payment from the driver's insurance carrier. This decision depends on several factors including the amount of damage done to your car, how much the driver owes you, and how much the driver's insurance company is willing to pay out.
If you decide to go forward with the claim, there are some things you must remember. First, talk to your attorney about filing suit against the driver. Second, keep detailed records of everything that happens during the course of negotiations. Third, don't settle anything without consulting your lawyer. Finally, always ask yourself why the other person didn't have insurance. Was he driving recklessly? Did he cause the accident intentionally? These facts may help determine whether you're entitled to compensation.
Contact an Experienced Accident AttorneyAn experienced accident lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you with your accident case. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.