For pedestrians involved in an accident, there may be a lot of confusion on what they should do. On top of the physical pain from injuries sustained, there’s the emotional turmoil that inevitably arises—the fear from not knowing what will happen and the confusion from not knowing what to do. We understand the sense of having lost control over one’s life can easily become overwhelming. As a result, we have outlined the most important actions you can take following your accident, with the intent that it will in some small way mitigate the sense of powerlessness, giving you a clear course of action and the certainty that you are doing the right thing for yourself and your family.
Write an account of the accident – Your memory of the accident is a valuable source of information, but it becomes less and less reliable as time passes and important details can be forgotten. So, as soon as you can, sit down and write a detailed account of the accident, being careful to leave nothing out.
See a doctor– If you sustained an injury in your accident, no matter how minor you think it is, see your doctor immediately—this is one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer, not only for your health, but also for the success of your claim.
Document your injuries– Keep a detailed record of all your injuries and the treatment you have received. This will be great resource for your attorney, as well as for yourself, its beneficial to make sure you keep track of everything you have done since the accident
Report the accident to your insurance company – If you carry an automobile insurance policy that includes the types of coverage that protect you in the event of a pedestrian accident, and you intend to make a claim, you should promptly report the accident to your insurance carrier. There are various types of “automobile” insurances and it is important to distinguish between those that cover you in a pedestrian accident and those that don’t. But for now, the types of coverage most likely to be relevant to pedestrian accidents are Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection. (Click here to see more information about Automobile Insurance.)
Contact a qualified pedestrian injury attorney– Because pedestrian accidents tend to be more severe than collisions between motor vehicles, it is most often in the victim’s best interest to immediately contact an attorney with experience in handling these types of cases. Unless you escaped the accident with the most minor of injuries, you should consult with an attorney even before reporting the accident to your insurance company.
Educate yourself – A little knowledge can go a long way towards achieving justice and peace of mind. Empower yourself with the understanding of how the legal process works and involve yourself in the handling of your case. Read, ask questions and be involved.
Relax- Trying to relax sounds difficult given the situation you are in, however, it is important for the healing process. An accident causes significant stress on you, both mentally and physically. It is important to listen to your body and give yourself time to heal properly and get as much rest and relaxation as you possibly can following an accident.