This year marks a 28 year high for pedestrian deaths. Experts blame our obsession with large vehicles and smartphones. Last year more than 6,000 pedestrians passed away.
We all assume that we’re safe because we are in the crosswalk. But this isn’t the case. Pedestrians need to be vigilant for vehicle traffic no matter where they are.
If you see a pedestrian hit by a car, do you know what to do? Use this guide to learn and be prepared should the worst happen in front of you.
Immediately After the Accident
The first priority after any accident is to make sure everyone is ok. In these types of accidents, it’s almost always the case that the pedestrian is injured. Authorities should be notified so that the injured party can receive medical treatment.
Take Pictures
After medical care is administered, the next priority should be to record any evidence of the accident. Take pictures of where the accident happened. This is important to show that the pedestrian was in the crosswalk.
The more evidence you gather, the easier it will be to prove fault. This will be important later on should the pedestrian pursue a personal injury case.
Seek Medical Treatment
If the pedestrian doesn’t seek treatment immediately, they should in the days following the accident. Many states have a time limit for how long after an accident the injured party may seek treatment and make a claim for injury. For example, in Florida, those injured in an accident have ten days.
File a Claim
After the accident, a claim will need to be filed with the insurance company. This will start the process for recovery. Don’t give your statement until you follow the next step, though.
Talk to an Attorney
If you think you have a claim, you need to speak with a personal injury attorney. They will advise you of your rights and your state’s laws. You can read more here about what an accident attorney can do for you.
This is when the picture evidence you took will come in handy. States vary on how a plaintiff can recover. Some states would bar any recovery if the plaintiff were in any way negligent.
Other states limit recovery to the percentage that the other party was negligent. So the injured party’s award will get reduced by the percentage that they contributed to the accident.
The more evidence the pedestrian has, the easier it’ll be to show that they did not contribute to the accident. This will help them secure the highest amount of financial recovery.
Take Care of the Pedestrian Hit by a Car
If you witness a pedestrian hit by a car, you now can act fast to assist them. Remember, the most important thing is to make sure everyone is ok.
After that, you will want to help them by being a good and truthful witness. You can help them gather evidence by taking pictures of the scene and current conditions.
This will help them consult with an attorney and pursue a lawsuit for any expenses incurred.
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