Being struck by a vehicle is the stuff that a pedestrian’s nightmares would include. When this happens in real life, there are some specific steps you should take. It is imperative that you work to protect yourself immediately in these cases.
Obviously, a pedestrian accident is one that can lead to some very serious injuries. Contacting 911 for emergency medical assistance is often necessary. Even if you don’t think that the injuries are too serious, it might still be a good idea to let the paramedics come out to evaluate you.
Make sure that you gather information at the scene. Of course, this might not be possible if you suffered a serious injury. Typically, the police report will include the driver’s contact information, so you might be able to rely on that if necessary. This report could also provide important information about the accident, so you should review it once it is available. Make sure that it is accurate when you do read over it.
If you are able to do so safely, you should get the driver’s contact information and insurance information. You should also try to get contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident. This is something else that the police officers might do when they report to the scene after 911 is called.
The more evidence that you can gather immediately after the accident, the better. This includes trying to snap a few pictures of the scene. All of this can help you if you opt to pursue compensation from the driver or the driver’s insurance company for the damages that you are dealing with.
Source: FindLaw, “Pedestrian Hit by a Car: What to Do After the Accident,” George Khoury, Esq., accessed July 26, 2017