Founder and Managing Partner
Getting hit by a car is a terrifying experience when you are on foot because you do not have a metal case around you for protection like people in motor vehicles do. Your body takes the full impact of the collision, and you are likely to go flying through the air, causing additional injuries when you land.
Often, the worst part of a crisis is not knowing what will happen next and down the road. You are probably wondering what you should expect after you’ve been in a pedestrian accident. A California pedestrian injury attorney can answer your questions and advocate for you so that you can focus your energy and attention on getting better.
Getting Medical Attention
We assume that by the time you read this, you have already gotten medical attention for your injuries. If you have not done so, you will want to get a professional medical trauma examination and start on treatment for your wounds right away.
The longer you wait, trying to tough it out, the more likely it is that you will develop complications, like infection or internal bleeding. Also, if you do not go to the doctor or emergency room soon after the accident, the at-fault party who injured you will allege that your wounds came from some other cause and not the pedestrian accident. Finally, we will need your medical records as evidence of the severity of the harm you suffered.
Reporting the Pedestrian Accident
People know that they should report car accidents when two or more vehicles collide, but not as many realize that you should also report pedestrian accidents. If the driver flees the scene, the police need as much information as you can give them and as soon as possible. Minutes count when the police are trying to locate a hit-and-run driver.
A police report is just as valuable in a pedestrian accident as in a car accident. You will need evidence to present to the jury to tell them what happened.
Determining Who Is Liable for Your Injuries
The driver of the car or truck in a pedestrian accident is not automatically at fault. In most instances, the pedestrian has the right-of-way, and the motor vehicle driver is at fault for hitting a pedestrian. There are some circumstances, however, in which the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way. Still, the driver must make reasonable efforts to avoid striking the walker.
In many pedestrian accidents, both the driver and the person on foot made mistakes that led to the collision. Let’s say that a runner ran between parked cars and onto the street because he was focused on beating his previous best time. The driver of the car that struck the pedestrian had looked away from the street for just a moment to retrieve an item that had fallen to the floorboard. Both parties will need skilled representation to protect their rights and get treated fairly.
Pedestrian accidents often involve catastrophic or fatal injuries. A California personal injury attorney can work relentlessly to go after all the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.