You’re walking along, crossing in the crosswalk like you should be when the unthinkable happens: You get hit by a car. When the unexpected happens, it is often disorienting, even if you aren’t seriously injured. It can be made even worse if the car that hit you decides not to stop. If you’ve been hit by a car, it is important to understand what to do in the aftermath.
Assess Your Injuries
Assessing your injuries is the first thing you should do after being hit by a car. If you are severely injured, such as dealing with a bleeding wound or feeling like something is broken, then do not try to move. Ask for someone to help you by calling 911. Even if you don’t feel like you are severely injured, it is vital to be seen in the emergency room. This way, if an injury does pop up, you will have a medical trail that shows you were seen after the accident. Keep in mind that adrenaline starts pumping during situations like this, so even if you don’t feel like you are injured now, you may begin to hurt a few hours after the accident.
Request Information From the Driver
If the driver was responsible and stopped, it is important to get the right information from him or her. Ask for the driver’s full name, phone number, and address. It’s also a good idea to get the person’s driver’s license number and insurance information. This helps to streamline the claim filing process and allows you to work through it faster so that you can get on with healing and get on with your life. Try to stay as calm as possible, keeping in mind that the driver is probably just as scared and angry as you are.
Consider Taking Legal Action
If the driver didn’t stop, or if they are refusing to provide you with the information that you need to file a claim, then you may want to consider taking legal action. A lawyer such as the ones at JMLawyer.com can help you to determine which legal course of action may work for you. They will go over the information with you, including what happened, where you were when you were hit, whether the driver stopped, and which injuries you sustained. They will also help you to find witnesses or seek out cameras that may have caught the accident. This way, you can build a case to go against the driver’s insurance company or take them in front of the judge.
Talk To the Police
It’s important to call the police to the scene so that you have legal documentation that the accident happened. When the police arrive, talk to them about what happened. Give a complete account of the accident from your perspective. People who have been immediately transported for medical care may want to contact the police once it is possible to give their version of what happened. Don’t be afraid to ask politely for the officer to go over the facts with you so that you can ensure there is no missing information or misinformation.
Document Everything That You Can
Whether you’re working directly with insurance companies or you need to get a lawyer on your case, it is important to document everything that you can. Thorough records help to ensure that you have what you need to prove your case and get the compensation you deserve for the accident. Even providing information such as the weather during the accident or which intersections were nearby can help to make your case. If you can, take pictures of the scene of the accident or ask someone else to do it for you. Other information that may help includes skid marks, landmarks, and contact information for witnesses.
Being hit by a car is always scary and often a traumatic experience. By keeping the above information in mind, you can ensure that you have the information you need to get the compensation you deserve for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
