As a pedestrian, you should know the steps to take after being hit by a car. If not, then this article is for you! Being struck by an automobile can have devastating effects on your life if it’s not handled appropriately. Many things could happen due to being hit by a moving vehicle: physical injury, emotional trauma, financial stress, and other issues. Here are the steps to take after being struck by a car.
Get Medical Treatment As Soon As Possible
No matter how minor you think your injuries are, go to the hospital and get them checked out. It’s possible that what appears to be a small injury could become serious if it is not treated immediately. Even something as simple as whiplash can have long-term effects on the back and neck if left untreated for too long.
Besides this, getting treated also ensures you have a medical record if you need to prove your injuries were caused by the accident. In line with professionals from an Oakland law firm, a doctor’s report helps a lot in establishing your case. For example, if you have the police report and doctor records that state you suffered from whiplash from being hit by a car, this would be hard evidence in court.
Get The Police Report
If there was an on-site investigation, make sure you get a copy of the police report. Part of this document will record what exactly happened during the accident and who was at fault for it happening in the first place. If another driver ran a red light while speeding on his phone, then he may be liable to pay damages if you can prove that’s what caused your injuries.
If you are the one at fault, then this step won’t help much in your case. However, it’s still essential to get a copy of the police report for reference and other legal matters that may arise later.
Witness Statements Matter Most Of All
Even though getting medical treatment is essential, witness statements will be what carries your case forward. Your doctor and the police will only be able to testify for you, but other individuals who were there when it happened can also speak on your behalf in court or during a settlement negotiation with the insurance company.
If no one else is around, then ask someone like a store owner if they saw what occurred. If not, then you’ll have to rely on your word. While this may sound like a bad idea, many people who were struck by cars will automatically forget what happened due to the shock and trauma of being hit.
Value Your Claim Fully
From how your injuries affect you, the costs of medical bills and inconvenience, to property damages such as a car repair bill or lost wages from not working for an extended period, every cent counts when it comes to making sure you get compensated. Even if your claim is small compared with others in your accident case pool, make sure you get what’s yours.
It may be easy to accept a lowball settlement, but that is not in your best interest if it doesn’t cover all the damages you incurred because of someone else’s negligence. It will take some time before an agreement can be reached with the insurance company, so make sure you have every last detail of your claim ready so you can negotiate the best settlement possible.
Hire a Lawyer From The Outset
Since you’re dealing with a complicated matter involving another party, it’s best to hire legal representation from the very beginning. This is where lawyers can help you out and ensure all your needs are met throughout this tough time. From drawing up your claim documents to negotiating for a fair settlement on your behalf, they will be able to walk you through each step until the matter is fully resolved.
Ensure that you hire a competent lawyer for this task. Do not hire someone simply because you are desperate or think anyone will do the job, as it’s likely they will just let your claim slip by without looking into all its details due to a lack of knowledge about personal injury law.
Stay Off Socials
You may want to tell everyone you know what happened so they can show support. However, this is not the best time for social media updates about your accident because it’s possible that doing so could hurt your case due to any direct or indirect witnesses suddenly changing their stories once details of the incident surfaced online.
Besides this, you should limit your appearances in public places where the other driver or their family and friends might be. You don’t want to put yourself in a vulnerable position where someone may try to harm you again or try to compromise the situation by offering you an unfair settlement.
In conclusion, don’t make matters worse for yourself by not protecting your claim. Take the necessary steps to ensure that you get treated fairly and compensated with all the damages you deserve, including lost wages or medical bills if no one else can help you cover them. By using the above tips, you can help make sure that justice is served, and you’ll be able to fully recover from this unfortunate accident.