What to Do After an Auto Accident Involving a Pedestrian
Lacking the protection of an enclosed vehicle, pedestrian fatalities in auto accidents are steadily climbing with each passing year. In 2022, pedestrian traffic deaths reached an all-time high of 7,522. Even if you do everything possible to keep yourself safe, this is no match against a careless motorist.
If you have recently been injured in a pedestrian/auto accident, it is paramount that you take the appropriate steps to preserve your rights. In this blog, our pedestrian injury attorneys discuss the proactive measures you can take and the benefits of acquiring legal counsel.
Contact the Police
If anyone was injured or killed, or there was property damage exceeding $1,000 in a traffic accident, the police needed to be notified. Law enforcement should be called in a pedestrian vs. auto accident, no matter how minor your injuries may be. The police officer who arrives on the scene will take down a Police Crash Report. It will include the details of the crash, including the full names of all the people involved, injuries and property damage sustained, and who the officer believes is at fault. The insurance company will ask you for a copy of this report since it provides an impartial perspective.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you sustained any injuries, call 911. If paramedics do not arrive at the scene, get to a hospital so your injuries can be assessed. Cuts, scrapes, and bruises may appear as superficial wounds, but the damage can run much more profoundly. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or are experiencing any other unusual symptoms, have someone else drive you.
Seeking a medical evaluation immediately will protect you from filing a claim since your treatment physician will document the extent of your injuries near the accident. If you wait to seek treatment, the driver or insurance company may claim that your injuries were caused by something else.
Document Your Injuries
Lacerations and bruises can heal over time, so it’s essential to take pictures of your injuries immediately after a pedestrian/auto accident. Be sure to document your injuries from various angles, using flash and no-flash settings on your camera. Cell phone cameras are typically preferred since most are high quality and have a date/time stamp attached to each photograph.
Identify Potential Witnesses
If anybody witnesses the incident, be sure to get their full names and contact information. You may need to call upon these witnesses later to testify regarding what they saw or heard. According to Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence, a lay witness’s testimony is limited to the witness’s perception, based on opinion, not scientific fact or any other type of specialized knowledge. Hearing testimony from a neutral third party detailing the event may be enough to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Consult with a PA Personal Injury Lawyer
Even if your injuries are minimal, a PA personal injury lawyer can assess your claim and determine what evidence needs to be gathered to help you recover compensation. Accident claims are rarely cut-and-dry, with various actions from multiple parties contributing to the crash.
When you work with Mette Attorneys at Law, we will prepare your demand package and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We understand how physically and emotionally difficult an accident can be, so let us take some of the burden off your shoulders. Contact us online or at (717) 231-5219 to schedule your initial consultation.