Being hit by a vehicle can be among the scariest thing you’ll ever experience. Even if your physical injuries are relatively minor, the psychological trauma facilitated by an accident of this nature can prove overwhelming. As such, there’s little wonder as to why navigating the aftermath of a collision with a car can be so harrowing. However, the more assertive you are in the wake of such an accident, the better-equipped you’ll be to obtain compensation in a timely manner. Any pedestrian who finds themselves hit by a car would do well to heed the following pointers.
Promptly Get to a Safe Location
Provided you’re able to move, you’ll need to get away from the flow of traffic. The longer you remain on the road, the more likely additional are to occur. Furthermore, if you were riding a bicycle or carrying any personal items, leave them where they are if they stand to hinder you from promptly getting yourself to safety. No matter how important these items may be to you, they should never take precedence over your personal well-being.
It’s also important to understand that in the immediate wake of such an incident, you’re liable to find yourself hit with a jolt of adrenaline – which can cloud your judgment. For example, you may think that running back into the road to retrieve your personal items is a good idea, but your thought process is likely being colored by adrenaline and should be ignored. Furthermore, at this point, you’re unlikely to realize the full extent of your injuries, and exerting yourself stands to make them even worse.
Call 911
No matter how unfazed you are by any injuries you’ve incurred, you’ll need to call 911 as soon as possible. For one thing, many states require citizens to alert the police of any accidents that result in personal injury or damage to vehicles or property. Secondly, EMTs and paramedics can accurately assess your condition and make you aware of the full extent of your injuries. As previously stated, adrenaline can cloud your judgment, leading you to believe that you’re less injured than you actually are.
For good measure, take care to photograph any injuries you’ve incurred as a result of being hit by a car. The sooner you get pictures of your injuries, the easier conveying the damage caused by the responsible party’s actions is likely to be.
Exchange Insurance Information with the Responsible Motorist
Even if you’re involved in an accident as a pedestrian, there’s a good chance your car insurance provides coverage for this type of incident. As such, take care to exchange insurance information with the responsible motorist before either of you leave the scene. If this individual doesn’t have insurance or isn’t willing to share their info with you, there’s no sense in trying to argue with them. Instead, just inform the police of the situation and request that they obtain the necessary info for you.
Report the Accident to Your Insurer
You should make a point of reporting the incident to your insurer at your earliest possible convenience. Additionally, keep in mind that reporting an accident isn’t the same thing as filing a claim. Whereas you may have years to formally file a claim, many insurers encourage customers to report accidents as promptly as possible. Once you’ve made your insurer aware of the accident, you’ll be able to start collecting the necessary documentation to file a formal claim. Centennial State residents who find themselves involved in such accidents are likely to be well-served by comprehensive Colorado car insurance.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer
Depending on your insurer’s level of cooperation and what types of legal action you’re interested in taking, you may need to reach out to an experienced attorney. The right lawyer will work to get you the compensation you’re owed and help ensure that you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies or the party responsible for causing the accident. Mile High City residents who have been struck by vehicles are urged to get in touch with a dependable pedestrian accident lawyer in Denver, CO.
Being struck by a vehicle can prove devastating on a number of levels. In addition to how much physical harm such an accident can cause, this type of collision can facilitate lasting trauma and leave you fearful of cars for the foreseeable future. That being the case, any pedestrian hit by a negligent motorist should make obtaining timely compensation a priority – and the advice outlined above can help you do just that.
