How Do I Know if I Have a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Personal Injury Lawyer

No one wants to be part of a pedestrian accident. The results can vary from mild scrapes and bruises to catastrophic injuries. If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident, you may be confused about what to do. Take the following steps can help ensure that you are safe and protected.

What To Do If You’ve Been Hit

The first step is to stay calm and, if you are able, call the police. Take pictures of the scene and collect the name, address, driver’s license and insurance information from the driver. Just like in a car accident, getting witness names and contact information could be essential to your claim. As soon as possible, call the driver’s insurance company.

It is also a good idea to seek medical care. While you may feel ok initially, you should go to a hospital to get checked out. Internal injuries may not always be evident right after they occur but can be very serious or even fatal if left untreated. Some insurance companies may try to get out of paying medical bills if you did not immediately seek treatment and later develop symptoms from the accident.

Who May Be Liable

If you are hit by a vehicle while in a crosswalk, it may seem obvious that the driver is at fault. However, the municipality may share some responsibility. If the area where pedestrians walk is poorly lit, placed just after a curve, if the signals are faulty, or if there is insufficient signage or warnings to drivers of pedestrian crossings, the city may also be at fault for failure to protect the pedestrians.

Factors That Could Affect the Settlement

Some of the factors that could affect your case are the type and severity of the injuries. But it is also important to be able to show that you followed the law and took every precaution to protect yourself. For instance, if you were hit because you walked into the roadway on a green light even though you saw that traffic was not stopped, it could be challenging to prove that someone else was at fault for your injuries.

If you’ve been a victim of a pedestrian accident, seek legal counsel. A local licensed personal injury attorney will be familiar with the laws governing personal injuries in your state. Your personal injury lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer in Washington, DC from Cohen & Cohen, P.C., can also advise you on how to recover damages for your injuries.