Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries. Unlike passengers in a car, pedestrians typically have no exterior protection in the event of an accident. It can take months or years to recover from your injuries, and in some cases, accident victims will never fully recover. In addition to the physical pain and temporary or permanent disability, you will likely be looking at very expensive medical bills.
There are several steps you can take after an accident to ensure you are in the best position possible. Following these steps will help to ensure that you are able to recover physically, mentally, and financially after an accident.
Check for Injuries
The first thing you are going to want to do after an accident is to assess whether you have suffered any serious injuries. Try to stay calm and determine whether or not you can move safely. If you are in the road or in any other area where there is the potential for additional danger, attempt to move to a safe location nearby.
Call 911
There is a very good chance that witnesses will have already called emergency services, but if not, you should do so or request that someone else make the call. It is important that an official police report is filed regarding the accident.
It is also critical that you get checked out by a medical professional, whether you believe you are injured or not.
Get the Driver’s Information
If possible, you should get the driver’s license plate number, name, and contact information. While exchanging information with the driver, don’t say too much. Keep the discussion strictly to the exchange of this information. It is especially important that you avoid any discussion about fault. An offhand remark could come back to hurt you later on.
Collect Evidence
The more evidence you can gather from the accident scene, the better. Take pictures of everything. Every detail from the scene could help to paint the picture of how the accident occurred. The more evidence you are able to gather in the immediate aftermath of the accident, the better positioned you will be when dealing with insurance or a lawsuit.
Talk to Witnesses
Speak with witnesses and gather their contact information. Having people who can corroborate your story will help immensely in any legal dispute.
Seek Medical Attention
While it is important to get checked out by paramedics at the scene, you should also head to the hospital immediately after an accident. Even if you don’t feel like you have suffered an injury, it is vital to have a doctor perform a thorough examination. Some injuries do not present themselves immediately. Failing to get a proper diagnosis directly after the accident could have serious consequences.
Without proper treatment, any injury you sustained could worsen. Your legal case could also be damaged, as the opposition will be able to cast doubt upon any injury that you don’t seek attention for until days or weeks after the accident.
Contact an Attorney
If you sustained an injury in a pedestrian accident in New Orleans, call the personal injury attorneys at Morris Bart Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. If you suffered an injury as the result of a pedestrian accident, you will likely either be involved in a battle with an insurance company or a lawsuit against the driver. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Do not talk to the insurance company before you speak with your attorney. Insurance adjusters know all of the tricks to attempt to get you to undervalue your claim or give them a reason to deny the claim altogether. By hiring legal representation, you can force the insurance company to direct all of their communications through your lawyer.
Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of after a pedestrian accident. The stakes are too high to try and fight this battle on your own. Following these steps can help you to level the playing field and get your life back on track after an accident.
