Read about eight steps to follow after you’ve been hit by a car so you can protect yourself and earn fair compensation for your damages.
On a beautiful day, you decide to walk to a local restaurant instead of driving. On the walk over, you need to cross the street. There’s a crosswalk, and you wait until the traffic signal prompts you to cross safely.
As you step into the street, a car turns into you, slamming you onto the street. Your head and side are throbbing, but, despite the pain, you remain conscious. The person who hit you rushes to your side, panicked and full of apologies.
They keep asking if you’re okay.
You later learn that your hip is fractured, and your side is scraped up pretty significantly. You also have a minor concussion.
While the medicine dulls the pain, you’re still suffering, and all you can think about is how much this will cost you in medical bills and lost wages. Thankfully, you got the contact information of the person who hit you, but you’re anxious about calling the insurance company.
After you’ve been hit by a car, you’re probably in pain, scared, and overwhelmed. You might not be sure what to do or who to call first. Knowing the proper steps after a pedestrian car accident can help you receive compensation for your injuries.
The personal injury lawyers at DP Injury Attorneys can help you handle the legal system after being hit by a car. Call one of our personal injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
Knowing what to do after you’ve been hit by a car is essential to secure financial compensation for your damages.
Follow these eight steps.
If you’re physically able, move out of the road so you don’t put yourself in further danger. Try to remain calm. Even though you’re probably feeling a wide range of emotions, keeping your composure can help diffuse the situation.
After you’ve moved to a safe place, check yourself for injuries. If you can, record your damages. You can write them down or take pictures of them on your phone. This documentation will be helpful when you file a claim. Call an ambulance if you or someone involved in the accident requires immediate medical attention.
Remember to call 911 and tell the dispatcher to send first responders to the scene of the accident to ensure a police report of the incident will be filed. The 911 dispatcher will send EMS and a fire truck to the scene.
Make sure you wait for the police to arrive, and try to keep the driver who hit you at the scene, as well.
Ask for a copy of the police report to have when you file your claim.
While waiting for the police to arrive, exchange information with the person who hit you. Ask for the driver’s insurance company and policy number, as well as their full name, phone number, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information, too.
If you’re able to, gather evidence from the accident. Take pictures of your injuries, the car that hit you, and the incident scene. You can use these photos to prove that the at-fault party caused your injuries.
You should also record information about what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Even if you only received minor injuries from the accident, seek medical assistance immediately after you leave the scene. A doctor can take tests to identify serious injuries you don’t immediately notice, like internal bleeding or a concussion.
A doctor can also provide you with a medical record, which you can use as evidence.
Try to start an insurance claim as soon as you can. Call the driver’s insurance company and tell them you’ve been in a pedestrian accident. Only give them the necessary information about what happened. They will use what you say against you to offer you a low settlement amount.
Politely decline if the insurance company tries to pressure you into talking more. You’re not required to speak to them any more than what’s necessary.
Finally, call a personal injury lawyer. Even if you think you can settle the claim on your own, a lawyer can help you in many ways.
For example, they can help you communicate with the at-fault party’s car insurance company. They can also negotiate with the insurance company so you can earn a higher amount of compensation.
Additionally, if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, an experienced lawyer can represent you in court.
Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, and they charge a contingency fee, which means you pay if you win your settlement.
The days following a pedestrian accident are overwhelming, but the steps you take immediately after are crucial to getting fair compensation. Knowing what to do after you’ve been hit by a car can help you navigate these difficult times. Remember, a personal injury attorney can help you too.
Have you or a loved one been hit by a car near San Diego, CA? Call a personal injury lawyer at DP Injury Attorneys. We’ll review your case and make sure you earn fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
