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It’s a beautiful day, and you decide to take a leisurely walk. As you approach a crosswalk, you wait for the “WALK” signal and begin to cross the street. Suddenly, a car comes speeding down the road and strikes you. Every year, tens of thousands of people are hit by vehicles resulting in over 5,000 deaths.
Whether the scenario as described earlier happens to you or another variation, it is essential to know what to do when you are hit by a car as well as your legal rights.
Make important phone calls
Immediately following an accident and once you are safely off the street, three important phone calls need to take place. If you are injured and require immediate medical assistance, call for an ambulance and then the police. For injuries less severe, you should call the police first so they can assist with the situation.
While you are waiting for the police, begin to collect any witness names and contact information especially if they are unable to remain at the scene. The final call you need to make is to your insurance company and notify them of the accident.
Document the events
It is crucial to document what happened at the accident. Take photos of the vehicle that struck you (make sure to get the license plate number), your surroundings and any injuries. If the car does not stop, try to take note of the license plate number to give to the police.
You should also start documenting any expenses related to the accident; this can include medical, missed pay from work and any damages to your personal property (cell phones, etc.)
Making a claim
After taking care of any injuries and seeking medical attention, you should call a lawyer that specializes in personal injuries. A lawyer will help you navigate what to do next, compose a letter to your insurance company as well as help you file a claim.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be making a claim against the driver, the city, or possibly both. Drivers are expected to remain alert and conscious of their surroundings. So whether you were in a crosswalk or not, they are likely to have some – if not all – liability for the accident. If the cause of the crash was due to a broken stoplight, poor road maintenance or some other negligent factor, the city or town where the accident took place, may be held legally responsible.
In some cases, it will be a combination of the two that are legally responsible for the accident. A personal injuries lawyer specializes in these cases and will help you determine which is the appropriate claim to file. In addition to helping with claims, they will also answer any questions you may have about the legal process.
To ensure you are not missing out on compensation due to an accident, contact Elsner Law Firm today. We understand the stress and uncertainty that can follow when you are hit by a car, and we are here to help make the process as simple as possible for you.
