I was hit by a car as a pedestrian; what do I do? This is a question most of us hope to never have to ask.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents continue to happen despite the benefits of walking as a form of exercise or transportation.
In 2022, 504 Californians were involved in fatal accidents with cars.
While this number reflects the tragedy of pedestrian accidents, many other pedestrians survive their experience with severe injuries. Although pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, they are more likely to occur in heavily populated areas like San Francisco.
Read on to learn more about what to do if you were a pedestrian hit by a car and how a pedestrian accident attorney can help you.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in California
As a pedestrian, getting hit by a car is a scary and unforgettable experience. As adrenaline rushes through your system, it may seem impossible to have the clarity of mind to remember what to do after such an ordeal.
However, if you are still conscious and physically able, remembering any or all of the following steps can help if you decide to seek compensation against the driver responsible for the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t believe you suffered injuries in your accident, seek medical attention immediately.
Many severe injuries like head trauma, internal bleeding, and other soft tissue injuries don’t become apparent until hours, days, or weeks after the accident. However, connecting diagnosed injuries to pedestrian accidents is vital.
Exchange Information
Get the names, contact information, and insurance information for the driver involved in the accident. If you saw any witnesses, collect their names and contact information.
Your attorney should contact these individuals to get their statements and recollection of the accident. These witnesses may also be called as witnesses to strengthen your case against the at-fault driver.
Collect Evidence
If you are physically able, gather evidence at the accident scene. Take photographs of the scene, the vehicles involved, and other details like traffic lights or signals, the weather, and other relevant images.
It’s also recommended to take photographs of your physical injuries so you document how they looked at the time of the crash.
Contact An Attorney
Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. It’s difficult to understand the complexity of California’s traffic laws and how they apply to drivers and pedestrians.
An attorney unpacks your case’s facts and helps clear a direct path to the compensation you deserve.
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help Me?
An experienced attorney knows what to do when a pedestrian is hit by a car. Your attorney prioritizes getting your life back on track as you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Gather Evidence
Many of us are unsure what evidence may be necessary to prove our case. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney gets to work immediately to gather all relevant evidence needed to build a strong case on your behalf.
With this evidence, your attorney makes it difficult for insurance companies or the at-fault driver to argue against your demands for compensation.
Calculate the Value of Your Case
California law permits accident victims to recover compensation from the at-fault driver through economic and non-economic damages.
Calculating the actual value of these losses is vital to your claim. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and future loss of earnings and are easily calculated using tangible evidence like bills, invoices, and other documents.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate because they are intangible and include things like pain and suffering.
These subjective losses do not come with invoices or receipts to add up, so you need an experienced lawyer to assess their value.
Through discussions with you, your medical doctor, and your friends and family, your attorney determines a value for your case and works to get that compensation for you.
Negotiate Settlement
Insurance companies are often quick to offer a low payout. It may be challenging to pass up any sum of money when bills are piling up.
Many injured victims are under extreme financial stress as they struggle to find ways to pay medical expenses without the ability to work.
Your attorney understands these tactics and holds out to get you a settlement offer that prioritizes your needs, not the insurance company’s bottom line.
Litigate
If settlement discussions fail, your California pedestrian accident lawyer litigates your case at trial.
Litigation requires extensive knowledge of court procedures, rules of evidence, litigation tactics, and strategies. And proceeding to trial may delay your financial payout longer.
However, an attorney may suggest a trial to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us
You need an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney if you suffer injuries in an accident. We have decades of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury cases.
When you choose the Law Office of Chuck Geerhart, you choose to be represented by one of the finest trial lawyers in California.
We value personal attention to our clients from start to finish and are always available to answer questions, offer support, and provide updates throughout the process.
Contact our office today by phone or email for a free consultation and learn how we can help you!