You may be surprised to learn that there are over 6 million car accidents each year within the United States. Unfortunately, not all of the damage is limited to the vehicles.
Occasionally, someone might be involved in an auto pedestrian accident, and it can be difficult to know how to react. If you find yourself in this type of auto accident, we’ve got all the information you need to know.
Let’s get started.
Get to Safety
If you’ve been struck by a vehicle, it’s imperative that you get to safety if possible. Although it may not be the first thing on your mind, staying on or near the road will put you at significant risk.
In general, it’s best to relocate far past a sidewalk instead of on a median. If you can’t move easily, don’t try to — you may inadvertently injure yourself further.
Call the Police
After you have gone to as safe of a location as possible, it’s time to call the police. Not only will they be able to determine whether or not any criminal activity took place, but they can also secure the scene.
The police will also take down a report that you can use as evidence of what transpired. Before you leave, be sure to get the reporting officer’s name and badge number so that you can access the police report at a later date.
Document the Scene
It’s in your best interest to collect as much evidence as possible. This typically means taking photographs and interviewing bystanders.
When documenting witness accounts, it’s often more convenient to record their statements on your phone. If they consent to do so, have them state the full name, the current time, and the current location at the beginning of the recording.
Afterward, you can record a recollection of the events as they witnessed them.
Get in Touch With a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident attorney is one of the most valuable resources you can take advantage of as a pedestrian. In many cases, being struck by vehicle results in severe physical and mental trauma.
In order to receive the appropriate amount of compensation from this incident, you’ll need to work with a legal professional who is both experienced and has a high success rate.
Otherwise, you may find it difficult to deal with the impending consequences.
If you have gotten into this type of accident in Washington state, you can check out this resource for more information about what to do afterwards.
Handling an Auto Pedestrian Accident Can Seem Overwhelming
The above information, though, will make this process much easier than you anticipated. If you find yourself in an auto pedestrian accident in the future, you’ll know exactly what steps to take.
Want to learn more useful info that can help you out in the future? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog.