Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania
At some point in your life, you will have to cross a street. As a child you were probably told that you had to hold someone’s hand and maybe never to run across a street. But when you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, where should you turn next?
What should you do if you’re in a pedestrian accident?
If you were struck by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian there are a few steps you should take:
- Get any necessary medical attention,
- Call the police,
- Take stock of any injuries you sustained,
- Exchange insurance information from the driver of the vehicle,
- Contact your own insurance company, and
- Seek legal counsel.
Each of these steps is critical, not only to your own well-being, but also to any potential claim you may have in the unfortunate instance the injury cannot be resolved swiftly between the parties.
First and foremost, your well-being in the moment is your priority. If you are seriously hurt or injured, call an ambulance. This isn’t just common sense: it’s actually an important step in the legal process. Seeking treatment is how you build the record of how serious your injuries are so you can pursue a claim with insurance.
If you are struck, a responding police officer will file a report that documents the facts. An officer’s view and documentation can be important in demonstrating who was at fault. An officer may also be able to find other witnesses you didn’t find. Bystanders are more likely to speak to an officer than to you in some cases.
Personal Injury Mistakes
When it comes to injury of any kind, be careful to make snap decisions asserting your health. Even if you were hit by a vehicle at low speeds and quickly recovered to your feet, or never fell at all, it is possible you still sustained an injury. It can be very difficult to tell in the moment if you were harmed. Adrenaline can play a significant role in a failure to recognize injury in the moment.
Many of our clients feel the injuries more as time goes on. That’s a documented medical phenomenon, and you shouldn’t ignore what your body is telling you.
Contact an Attorney
While hopefully you are never struck by a vehicle, if you are, you should contact an experienced attorney to discuss your next steps. The process of an insurance claim is not clear, and the insurance adjusters can have their own agenda. Call an attorney to discuss if you are entitled to the recovery of medical expenses incurred, lost wages as a result of the mental harm and for pain and suffering. Serious stressors like being struck by a car can make it difficult to perform daily tasks and creates undue hardship in your life which you are entitled to be compensated for. Call the injury attorneys at Cornerstone Law Firm today!
