What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially if you’re dealing with injuries, medical care, or property damage. Knowing what to do after a pedestrian accident can help protect your health, your rights, and any legal claims you may have.
Right after the accident, your first step should be to get to safety and seek emergency medical care, even if your injuries seem minor. A personal injury lawyer serving Richmond can explain other steps you may need to take to protect your rights and file a personal injury claim.
Understanding Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often happen when drivers fail to follow traffic signals or ignore road conditions. These accidents may involve crosswalk violations, distracted driving, or speeding in active road traffic. In many cases, pedestrians have the right of way but are still hit by vehicles.
These incidents can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, or even fatalities. Fault in pedestrian accidents depends on many factors. Police reports and statements from witnesses can help determine fault and support a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Common Factors for Pedestrian Accidents
- Poor visibility or broken traffic lights
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding in areas with heavy foot traffic
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
Understanding what defines a pedestrian accident, and duty of care, can help make sense of who may be legally responsible. Law enforcement and insurance companies often use physical evidence and accident reports to figure out liability.
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What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident? – 5 Key Actions to Protect Your Rights
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries and emotional stress. Taking the right steps after the incident can support your safety, your health, and any legal claims. The actions below may help protect your rights if you’ve been struck by a vehicle.
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Ensure Immediate Safety
If possible, move to a safe location away from active road traffic. Turn on hazard lights if you’re with a driver who can help. Stay still if you feel intense pain, and wait for emergency medical personnel.
Look for visible injuries and ask someone to assist if needed. Internal injuries like brain damage or organ damage may not be obvious right away. Emergency medical treatment is important, even for minor injuries.
Keep track of your pain levels and symptoms. This early care may become part of your medical documentation later. Getting help from a medical care provider quickly can also protect your health.
2.Call Emergency Services
Call 911 so law enforcement and emergency medical staff can respond. An official police report helps create a record of the pedestrian-car accident. Ask the officer how to get a copy of the official report. This can support your personal injury claim or lawsuit later.
Let paramedics examine you, even if you feel okay. Medical records from this visit will be useful if you file an insurance claim for compensation.
3.Document the Accident Scene
Take photos or videos of the scene, including the vehicle, road conditions, traffic signals, and skid marks. These images can serve as valuable evidence.
Ask for contact details from any witnesses and request witness statements. Their comments may support your version of events when dealing with insurance adjusters or in court. Keep a full accident file. Include the accident report, statements, insurance details, photos, and your medical treatment records.
4.Avoid Admitting Fault – Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
Do not admit fault at the scene. Avoid saying things that suggest blame. Fault determination takes time and involves many factors, including witness statements and physical evidence.
If an insurance adjuster contacts you, be cautious. Their job is to limit how much the insurance company pays out. Stick to facts. Do not guess or make assumptions. It may help to wait until you understand your injuries and speak with a legal professional before answering detailed questions.
It is important to be aware of the most common mind games insurance adjusters play. Remember, asking for a lawyer before making any statements is not only a possibility but also one of your rights.
5.Understand Local Laws and Time Limits
Each state has time limits, or statutes of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from getting compensation. For instance, the Virginia Statute of Limitations generally lasts two years.
Traffic laws, auto insurance policies, and fault laws vary by location. Knowing whether you live in a fault or no-fault insurance state can affect your claim.
A pedestrian accident lawyer can help you understand what rules apply to your situation, including how fault is shared and what legal claims may be possible.
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Ask a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer About Your Case at No Cost
After a pedestrian accident, many people have questions about fault, insurance coverage, and their legal rights. A pedestrian accident lawyer can review your accident details and help you understand your options. This may include filing a personal injury claim or gathering medical documentation.
Legal advice may help you learn how to recover fair compensation for medical care, property damage, and other accident-related costs. Our attorneys at The Pendleton Law Team can review police reports, witness statements, and medical records to help you understand fault and what legal claims may be available.
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