Steps to take immediately following a vehicle accident with a pedestrian
Pedestrian accidents are traumatizing, but unfortunately not uncommon. Tampa alone saw 51 pedestrian accident deaths in 2015. These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and it’s important to know exactly what to do immediately following – not only to keep everyone safe and injuries treated, but to acknowledge all useful aspects of the scene should the need for compensation occur.
Here is a list of steps that should be taken immediately following a pedestrian accident.
Assess the Scene
First thing’s first: pull your vehicle over to a safe place, turn off the engine and turn on emergency lights. Check out all individuals involved in the accident: the driver, the pedestrian, any passengers or any bystanders and see if there are any injuries.
Seek Medical Help
Move any injured persons away from further harm in the street. There is a high possibility for serious injury in most pedestrian accidents, so dial 911 immediately for medical help.
Call the Police
Notify the police as soon as possible so they can respond to and investigate the scene. While investigating, they will interview witnesses of the accident to find out exactly how it happened. This could prove beneficial should personal injury claims arise.
Take Photographs
Take your own photographs of the scene from different angles and distances. Include:
- The road and any skid marks
- Your vehicle and any damage
- Any other vehicles that may have been involved
- Visible injuries either to you or to the pedestrian
Gathering this type of evidence can be helpful when it comes to talking with insurance companies and personal injury attorneys about the accident.
Exchange Information
Provide your name, phone number and address to all involved in the accident and take note of their information as well. Be sure to have any witnesses leave their contact information as well should they need to be contacted later by police.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Share with them all of the information you collected at the accident. It’s important to be completely honest about the accident with insurance companies in submit an accurate claim.
Find an Attorney
The driver involved in a pedestrian accident could easily face varying levels of liability in the accident’s case. These types of liability include:
- Civil Liability. Civil liability covers damages the pedestrian suffered due to the accident, including medical costs and lost work time.
- Criminal Liability. Criminal liability is a possibility if the driver was breaking any laws at the time of the accident. This includes a hit-and-run situation, driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.
Hiring a personal injury attorney can help with these liability issues and guide you through the legal processes involved.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, the team of pedestrian accident attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo has the expertise and experience to guide you through this stressful time. Contact us anytime for answers to your legal questions from our knowledgeable team, or to schedule your free consultation.
To learn more about responding appropriately to other sorts of accidents, check out our Personal Injury Guide.
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