Every year, 70,000 pedestrians are hit by vehicles. Not all accidents end in death, but they can cause serious injury.
Over 30% of people hit end up in the hospital or walk away with horrible wounds. One of the biggest mistakes that injured pedestrians make is not seeking medical attention as soon as the accident occurs.
Some injuries don’t show themselves right away. The longer someone puts off medical attention, the harder it will be to make a claim and pursue compensation.
That’s only one of the big mistakes in pedestrian accident claims. Check out this guide to learn all the dos and don’ts.
1. Not Calling the Police
A police report can act as an important piece of evidence in a pedestrian accident case. They typically contain a wide array of crucial information, such as the time and place of the accident, statements from yourself and any witnesses, details of the accident, and traffic citations issued to the driver that hit you.
The officer will also determine who they believe is at fault for the accident. Their word could prove without a doubt that you deserve compensation.
2. Waiting to Get Medical Care
As soon as the police leave the scene, seek out medical attention. Even if you feel fine, a pedestrian accident injury could show up weeks after the incident. If you wait, you’re putting your health at risk.
Putting off medical care could also hurt your case. It leaves the floor open for the insurance company to argue that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim they are.
3. Not Gathering Contact Info
You can’t begin the claim filing process if you don’t have the driver’s contact and insurance info.
You should also talk to any witnesses and collect their contact info. Their word could be a huge asset in court.
4. Neglecting to Snap Photos
If you have a smartphone on you, take it out and snap a few pictures of the vehicle that hit you and your injuries.
These pictures will act as key pieces of evidence and help support your claim when you go to court.
5. Not Hiring a Lawyer
Hiring car accident lawyer benefits is numerous. Your attorney will ensure that you meet your claim filing deadline.
They can help you gather evidence and walk you through all the paperwork. Oftentimes, they’ll go get the police report for you and save you a trip.
The insurance company is going to have lawyers on their side. If you don’t have one as well, things may end badly for you. It’s not easy to represent yourself.
Mistakes in Pedestrian Accident Claims to Avoid
As you can see, there are a lot of mistakes in pedestrian accident claims that you need to avoid. Call the police and get medical attention as soon as the incident happens.
Get the driver’s information and talk to any eyewitnesses. Get out your smartphone and take pictures. Do everything you need to get the compensation you deserve.
For more tips that will help you navigate your way around a courtroom, visit the Law section of our blog.
