Pedestrian Accidents Injury
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Pedestrian Accidents: Steps to Take if You’ve Been Injured

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

If you live in a bustling city, or even if you don’t, it’s important to keep in mind the risks of vehicle-caused injuries when walking as a pedestrian. Pedestrians are at risk at all times, especially in downtown shopping areas or busier neighborhoods. It is essential to know what to do when such an accident occurs to you or someone around you. Once you have immediately assessed the situation and are not in immediate danger, it is crucial to contact a personal injury lawyer at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation to understand the next steps to take.

Stay calm and try to move out of the street

If you have been hit and are conscious, losing control of your emotions and unleashing rage on the driver responsible for your injuries will not help you in this situation. Breathe deeply and try to contain your emotions, as this will help you look more sympathetic when the police arrive at the scene of the accident. You will also be able to communicate better with the driver throughout the ordeal.

If possible, move out of the street into a driveway or onto a sidewalk, so you do not block traffic further.

Keep the driver at the scene of the accident

Even if you do not think the driver caused you any bodily harm, you should not let them leave. It is incredibly common to think that you are not hurt after an accident, only to discover later that you have broken a wrist, a rib, or something worse. The adrenaline you feel after a crash can actually mask serious bodily harm.

If you do not have the information of the driver, you will be unable to file a personal injury claim against them for compensation for the cost of your medical bills.

The best way to make sure your driver remains at the scene of the accident is to calmly ask the driver to stay while you wait for the police to arrive. If any witnesses are gathering around you, it is a good idea to ask them to stay too.

In the event of a hit and run, try to snap a picture of the car’s plates, or make a mental note of the car’s color, make, and model. You also may be entitled to coverage under an uninsured motorist clause in your auto insurance policy, even though you were not driving when the accident occurred.

Collect information from the driver

After you have called the police (call 911 even though you may not feel that this is an emergency– it’s important to get authorities there quickly, especially if you’re injured) make sure to get all of the motorist’s basic information just the way you would if you had been a driver in an auto accident. Take photos of you, the car, the plates, the intersection, the traffic lights, anything you see. Although many of them may not be useful if you file a lawsuit or an insurance claim, a misplaced sign or a badly placed traffic light could help the case. Even if you are familiar with the intersection or area where the accident occurred, don’t assume the layout will remain the same.

Do not post about the accident on social media because from a litigation standpoint; the defendant could use the posts to make the point that you were negligent and could have been checking your phone while you were hit. This could be used against you in the future.

Final thoughts

Injured as a pedestrian in Michigan

If you have been injured as a pedestrian in Michigan, call 866-MICH-LAW to book a no obligation consultation with an expert attorney from Cochran, Kroll & Associates P.C. Our law firm never charges a fee unless we make a recovery.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Tim is a writer and editor who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland and calls Washington, D.C., home after spending most of his adult life in the country's capital. Although Tim spent most of his post-college years in the restaurant industry, he became interested in writing about legal matters after he recently moved to Colombia. Today, Tim writes professionally about medical malpractice, drug policies, and workplace injuries. Tim is focused on curating his freelancing career and plans to work remotely for as long he can.

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