In 2021, 7,485 United States pedestrians were killed in a car accident crash. However, there were many more that were injured.
This means that being hit by a car is a serious risk when walking, not only because you risk your life but also because your belongings can be damaged.
Keep reading to learn what to do if you get hit by a car while you’re just walking or riding a bike.
Call Law Enforcement
The first thing you need to do is call the police. Even if your injuries are minor, you should call them so that they can file an official police report. If you do have severe injuries, then they will be able to call an ambulance to treat your injuries.
You should ask the driver and any witnesses to stay on the scene until the police arrive. The police will take reports from witnesses and file them with an official accident report. This is important in case you want to file a complaint against a driver later on.
Gather Evidence
If you’re injured, you need to gather evidence that you will use to make your case later. However, if you have severe injuries, you should focus on getting medical attention first.
If you’re okay, then you can start taking pictures. Take a picture of the car’s license plate and any details of the scene. You may also want to take a picture of the bike that you were riding.
You should also try and get the driver’s information and registration before they leave. If the driver is apologizing, you may also want to try and record that as well to show the insurance companies.
You shouldn’t move anything or change anything about the scene until the police arrive. However, if you are blocking traffic, you may want to consider moving to the side of the road.
However, if there are any skid marks on the road, you want to make sure you document that as well before you move the vehicles.
You may also want to consider talking to any eyewitnesses. They may have recorded the incident or a portion of it. Try and get the footage if you can to use it in your claim later on.
Get Medical Treatment
You should seek medical treatment even if you feel like you have no injuries. You might feel okay enough to walk or bike home, but when you’re hit by a car, you could have hidden injuries.
It’s best to have a medical professional look you over and run some tests. If they find any injuries, you have these documented and can use them in your case.
You might be worried about going to the emergency room to be evaluated because of the cost, but you should worry about that later. You can always claim your medical expenses in your claim, and the person responsible for the accident should be held accountable.
However, you should get your injuries evaluated as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to provide written statements and records saying that the injuries you sustained were directly related to the accident. The sooner you get them evaluated, the more likely they are to have been caused by the accident.
You should also go soon because if you wait too long, the defendant may claim that your injuries are either not related to the accident or weren’t severe enough to cause any damage.
When you seek medical attention right away, you have a stronger claim for your case. You may also not realize how serious your injuries are until a few days after the accident.
For example, whiplash can take a few days to show up, and the pain can be severe once it does. You should always go to the doctor to have documentation of the injuries, just in case.
Contact a Lawyer
While you can deal with insurance and file a claim on your own, it’s not recommended. There are many steps in this process, and you need to ensure that you have the best chance of winning your case.
If you say the wrong thing to the insurance company, you could put your claim in jeopardy. It’s better to hire a lawyer who knows the law and gives you the best odds of winning your case.
Each state also has different rules for when you can file a claim. For example, in Missouri, you have to file a claim within five years, but in Kansas, you need to file a claim before two years are up.
Ideally, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Some people worry about not having enough money for a lawyer, but some lawyers won’t charge you anything upfront. Instead, they will take payment out of your settlement.
This gives them an incentive to win your case, but it also helps to know that you’ll have a professional on your side. Hiring a lawyer means that you don’t have to deal with insurance companies, and you can heal from your injuries without any added stress.
If you’re looking for a bicycle accident lawyer, follow this link.
Learn More About What to Do If You Get Hit By a Car
These are only a few steps for what to do if you get hit by a car while walking or riding a bike.
However, many other factors can improve your chances of getting compensation for the accident.
If you’re interested in learning more about car accidents, make sure that you check out our website to find some of our other articles!