Car accidents are becoming more common and it is heartbreaking to consider being the victim of one of these accidents. If you or someone you know is a victim of a vehicle on pedestrian accident, you may be wondering what the next steps are for protecting yourself and your rights. If you are located in or around the Oakland, Fremont, or Pleasanton area, contact Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for support. Here are five preliminary steps to take if you are injured in a pedestrian accident.
1. Remain Calm and Alert
It is very understandable to be traumatized and upset if a car hits you. However, do not scream, curse at or belittle the driver in any way. Try to remain as calm as possible. Becoming upset will not only make you lose your temper, but may work against you. Take deep breaths, remain alert and remind yourself that you are going to get through this experience.
2. Call the Police Immediately
If you are lucky enough to have some control over the next phase of your recovery, be sure to dial 911 before anything else. It may be hard to want the worst outcome for someone, but it is important that they are held accountable. Having the police there to document the incident will help you regain some control and ensure the incident doesn’t escalate.
3. Get The Driver’s Information
While you wait for the police to arrive, be sure to get the driver’s information, the same as you would during an automotive collision. Get insurance information, a phone number, drivers’ license, and anything else you might deem necessary. Take pictures and video as evidence. Most of your evidence may not be useful, but having as much as possible could prove invaluable later on.
4. Take Care of Injuries
It is important to not force yourself up and try to move if you are seriously hurt. You can risk your injuries getting worse. Try to get other people to stop traffic and help you or have you wait there until help arrives. It’s better to wait it out then force yourself to be active, especially in this situation. Move off the roadway if at all possible to avoid further injuries.
5. Call a Lawyer You Trust
After you have handled any medical issues, be sure to contact a lawyer for additional advice. If you are located in or around the Oakland, Fremont, or Pleasanton area, contact Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for more support. Our lawyers have extensive experience in obtaining the best possible recovery for your accident injuries.
Pedestrian Accident Specialists
Whether you were riding a bicycle or a pedestrian, our lawyers have extensive experience in obtaining the best possible recovery for your accident injuries. Given the unprotected position of a bike rider or a pedestrian, serious injury can often result from a collision with a motor vehicle. Often the fault of such an accident lies with the driver of the vehicle and not the bicyclist or the pedestrian. Contact us at Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for a free initial consultation. If the other party does not offer you a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial. Many accident attorneys are inexperienced trial attorneys and force settlement rather than face trial. Hiring an experienced accident attorney can make a significant difference on how large a recovery you receive. Contact us at Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for a free initial consultation.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html
- http://www.safebee.com/travel/what-do-if-youre-hit-by-car
- https://www.citylab.com/life/2015/05/what-to-do-when-youre-hit-by-a-car/393809/
- https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-when-youve-been-hit-by-a-car-1831675791
- https://www.quora.com/What-should-a-pedestrian-do-after-getting-hit-by-a-car
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