Blog

What Pedestrians Should Do After Being Hit by a Vehicle

Posted on behalf of James Lynch on December 11, 2018  in Car Accident News. Updated on February 24, 2022

pedestrian crossing a roadWhen you walk near traffic, you are at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Due to the lack of protection pedestrians are offered in most cross walks and sidewalks, many suffer serious injuries or death in the event of an auto accident. When this occurs, you may be entitled to hold the at-fault driver liable to recover compensation.

However, there are several steps pedestrians can take after an accident to secure their claim. Below, Lynch Law Firm, PC’s trusted New Jersey car accident lawyers have provided several steps you may take after being struck by a vehicle. To learn more about your legal options after an accident, contact us to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

Get Medical Treatment

After any accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to diagnose and treat your injuries. Although most people understand when they have been injured in an accident, some injuries are hidden and do not immediately display symptoms. Likewise, many injuries share symptoms with other medical conditions and are often misdiagnosed.

Furthermore, seeking medical treatment immediately after an accident establishes that you suffered an injury caused by the at-fault driver’s negligence. This may help you recover compensation for your injury when you file a personal injury claim.

Report the Accident

Try to report the accident to local law enforcement or emergency responders immediately, if you are physically able. Call 9-1-1 and request medical services for yourself and any other person who has been injured in the accident. Likewise, you should provide details about the at-fault driver, the location of the accident and any relevant factors that may help first responders.

Immediately reporting your accident also helps to establish a timeline of events that can be used to construct your personal injury case. The at-fault party’s insurer will likely inquire about the time and location of the accident. Be sure to request a copy of the accident or police report taken by law enforcement to provide to insurers and your attorney.

Document Your Injuries

It may be useful to document your injuries after the accident. This includes the rate your injury is healing and how it may have affected your life since the accident.

There are several ways you can document your injury and prove its severity. For example, you may consider keeping an injury journal that provides detailed descriptions about your injury’s symptoms and if you have experienced physical limitations or emotional distress due to your injury.

Additionally, you may request documentation from your health care provider detailing your injury and your medical treatment. This includes:

  • Medical bills for treatment, medication and doctors’ appointments
  • Photos of your injuries, such as X-ray or MRI images
  • Copies of your physician’s medical notes
  • Copies of your prescribed treatment plan, including surgery or rehabilitation
  • Copies of prescriptions for your medication

Speak with the At-Fault Driver

While you are at the accident scene, try to get as much information as you can from the at-fault driver. If you are able, ask the driver for his or her:

  • Name
  • Phone number or email address
  • Insurance carrier and number
  • License plate number
  • Driver’s license number

When you speak with the at-fault driver, be sure to only discuss the basic facts of the accident. Do not discuss what you were doing before the accident or if you have suffered an injury. The at-fault driver’s insurer may use this to affect your claim.

File a Claim

You should file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver as soon as possible after the accident. New Jersey is a “no-fault” state, which means you will need to file a claim with your own insurer. New Jersey requires drivers to purchase PIP insurance coverage, which compensates you up to the amount listed in your policy for your medical expenses, lost income and death benefits.

However, if your claim is being disputed or you believe you are not being provided fair compensation for your injuries, contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer. He or she will know if you deserve more compensation and have the right to sue the at-fault driver.

Contact the Lynch Law Firm, PC

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, you may have legal options to hold the at-fault party liable. An experienced attorney can help you during the claims process to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.

Lynch Law Firm, PC’s dedicated New Jersey personal injury lawyers know what it takes to represent accident victims against insurance companies and attorneys representing negligent drivers. We are skilled negotiators and will use our knowledge and experience to help you reach a fair outcome for your claim.

To get started, schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We offer our services on a contingency fee and only charge clients if we recover compensation for them. There is no risk in contacting us to discuss your claim.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.

* Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Trusted By:

  • trusted by sponsors
  • trusted by sponsors
  • trusted by sponsors
  • trusted by sponsors
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.