The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent says that there were more than 5,000 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2015. There were another 130,000 pedestrian injuries in 2015 as well. It is common for a person who is involved in a pedestrian accident to not be sure what to do. Keep reading to learn the basics. Then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you are in need of a free legal consultation.
First and Foremost: Get Medical Attention
There is nothing more important than seeking appropriate medical attention. This may mean calling 911. It may mean going to the hospital yourself. It may mean simply getting a first aid kit and cleaning any wounds.
Even if you believe that you are not injured or that your injuries are very minor, we still recommend that you get checked out by a medical professional. Helmets and other safety gear can help reduce the chance of serious injury but nothing can keep you safe 100% of the time. If nothing else, visiting a doctor will help you prove your personal injury case.
Gather Evidence of the Accident
If you do not have injuries serious enough that warrant going to the hospital right away, we recommend gathering as much evidence at the scene as you can. This should include taking picture of the damage, the location of the accident, any visible injuries, traffic signs / signals, weather conditions, and anything else that may be relevant.
Talk to the other parties involved and gather contact information. Do not admit fault to anyone. Simply ask for contact information and let your personal injury attorney handle everything else. Even a seemingly innocent statement you may could end up being taken out of context and used against you.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
We cannot overstate how important it is to listen to what your doctor says. Even if you start to feel better, you should complete treatment. Even if it does not seem to be working, you should talk to your doctor before deciding to quit treatment altogether. Not only does this ensure the best chance of recovering fully from your accident, but it ensures that your personal injury attorney can best help you.
If you do not follow your doctor’s orders then the other party’s insurance company can use this as ammunition against you. They may say that you were not as injured as you claim if you did not follow the doctor’s directions. They may lower your offer based on the fact that if you had followed your doctor’s directions, the injury would have improved more quickly and your overall costs would have been lower.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
It is never too early to call a personal injury attorney. While we will likely wait to file a claim until we have a better idea of your medical needs, the sooner you contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, the sooner we can ensure that you are building the strongest possible case. Call now for a free legal consultation.
