5 Steps to Take if You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian walking in front of a car

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you are likely faced with a long physical and emotional recovery as well as the financial strain that commonly accompanies it. And while you may have a right to compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company, it may attempt to overwhelm you with paperwork or settle with you for far less than what your injuries warrant.  That’s why it’s in your best interest to take the proper steps after the accident so as to make it more difficult for the insurance adjuster to deny your claim. Here are 5 steps to take if you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident. 

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

When you have been hit by a vehicle, your injuries aren’t always immediately apparent. This is why it’s important that you seek immediate medical attention. If you fail to do so, you not only can jeopardize your claim, but you can also risk your own health. 

Often serious injuries are non-obvious or take time to present with symptoms. Internal injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries may not even present themselves until days or weeks after the accident. Failing to seek medical attention right away can result in worsening of your condition, which could even become life-threatening. Additionally, if you don’t seek medical attention immediately after the accident, it’s much easier for the insurance adjuster to claim that your injuries clearly weren’t that serious. 

2. Call 9-1-1- and Talk to the Police

Sure, calling the police may seem dramatic or unnecessary, but failing to do so can result in the loss of extremely important evidence and information that could help to prove the severity of your case. Such evidence, such as a police report, can demonstrate that the insured was, in fact, negligent regarding the accident. Police reports often contain the following helpful information:

  • The date, time, and place of the accident
  • The manner in which the accident occurred
  • Statements from the at-fault motorist and witnesses
  • The conclusions the officer comes to regarding the cause of the accident
  • The issuance of any traffic citations

3. Obtain as Much Information as Possible

When you have been hit by a car, it’s extremely important that you obtain as much information as possible. This includes the contact information of the driver who struck you. Contact information should include their first and last name, number, address, and insurance information. If you don’t get this information, you won’t be able to file a claim against their insurance. If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident in which the driver who struck you does not stop, it can be very important to collect the contact information of witnesses and to see if anyone recognized the vehicle, its license plate number, or anything else that could help to identify the driver. 

4. Gather an Abundance of Evidence

In the same vein in which it’s important to collect contact information of those involved, it’s also key to gather as much evidence as possible. By collecting enough evidence, you can help to establish your right to compensation. Aside from witness statements, evidence may include photographs and video of the scene of the accident, your injuries, the damage to the vehicle, the weather, road conditions, etc. If you don’t collect evidence right away, it could easily be lost with time. If you are too injured to collect any evidence, it’s extremely helpful to ask a trusted person to collect it on your behalf. By calling the police immediately after the accident, they can also play a major role in collecting the necessary evidence while you are seeking treatment. 

5. Call a Qualified Attorney as Soon as Possible

No one likes to spend money unless they have to. And while it may not seem like a necessity, retaining an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident can help you to avoid mistakes that would cost you far more, collecting necessary evidence, and assist you in negotiating and receiving fair and full compensation for your damages. 

MPJ Law Firm Can Help Those in NM Who Have Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in which you were hit by a vehicle, it can greatly impact your life. It can be difficult enough dealing with your injuries, but it can be even harder when you are left to pick up the pieces financially. You should never have to pay the price for someone else’s mistakes. 

At MPJ Law Firm, we have a deep understanding of pedestrian accidents and car accidents and understand the effects that such accidents often have on just about all aspects of your life. We will always act in your best interest. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!

Posted in: Pedestrian Accidents