Over the years, pedestrian fatalities due to car accidents have risen 53 percent. Drivers have a lot to pay attention to while on the road between surrounding cars and following road safety rules.
Add those factors in with other distractions like text messages or calls, and it can be way too easy to miss the person walking near or in front of your car. A mistake that could not only prove fatal to the pedestrian but cost you a fortune in a lawsuit.
Still, some accidents are unavoidable and happen regardless of how carefully you drive. In the event of a pedestrian-related car accident, you will need to know what steps to take to help the injured person and protect yourself.
Did you just hit a pedestrian in a car accident? Or were you just hit? Read here to learn what you should do and if you need a lawyer.
Call Emergency Services
The first thing you will want to do after you hit a person is to call emergency services. After a pedestrian-car accident, do not hesitate to call for aid.
Even if the person does not seem to be in physical pain or does not exhibit physical injuries, you should still call. There could be underlying issues such as a concussion or internal bleeding that need treatment sooner rather than later.
Call The Police
Just like with any car accident, an officer should come out to assess the scene. They will write up an accident report detailing the accident.
Afterward, you can request a copy of the report for yourself. You will want this down the line in case the pedestrian files a personal lawsuit against you.
Call Your Insurance Company
The third call you make should be to your insurance company. Tell them the details of what happened and let them know you were involved in a car crash. If a car hits and injures you, then you will need to make sure that your insurance company covers that type of accident.
They should also advise you about New York insurance laws, so you are up-to-speed with the system. Talking to your insurance company is essential if you are looking to file a claim and have your general and medical damages covered.
Do Not Discuss the Accident
Under no circumstances should you discuss blame or fault with one another. At least, not without contacting an attorney or having one present. No matter if you are the driver or the pedestrian, you do not want to mention anything that could be evidence of negligence in court.
Eventually, you are going to receive a call from the other person’s insurance company. Take care to manage what you tell them, and do not take any settlement without first speaking to your lawyer.
Hire an Attorney
If you are the pedestrian hit by a car, you will want to hire a lawyer whether your injuries are minor or severe. Chances are, you will have some sort of physical damage that requires medical assistance. By hiring an attorney, you will ensure that you file the right personal claim against the defendant and receive the compensation you deserve.
After You Hit a Pedestrian
Hitting a pedestrian is a driver’s worst nightmare. The injuries inflicted are always worse than hitting another driver because the pedestrian has no protection.
At Get Gary Law Firm, we help drivers who have hit a pedestrian and serve to protect their rights should the blame fall on the other person. However, if you are someone suffering injuries due to a car accident, we will also stand up for you and work to get you your compensation.
Get Gary will handle the legalities of the situation and help you decide on a settlement. If you or a loved one is involved in a pedestrian-related incident, Get Gary urges you to contact us immediately, so we can begin working on your case.
Gary P. Falkowitz is the Managing Partner and Founding Attorney of the Falkowitz Law Firm PLLC‚ one of the premiere personal injury law firms in New York. Gary received his J.D., in 2005 from St. John’s University School of Law and served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
