Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence. Because of this, it’s important to know what to do when it happens. Following the right steps can greatly help your case.
In addition to taking the actions described in this article, you should always contact an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer if you’ve been involved in a accident.
Remain Calm and Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing to do as a victim of a pedestrian accident is to remain calm. Of course, this can be very challenging to do given the circumstances. Nevertheless, remaining calm is critical for assessing injuries and the accident scene.
Next, do your best to determine whether or not you have any injuries. You should know very quickly whether you have suffered a serious injury. Even if you think you were unharmed, you should still visit a hospital or urgent care facility to be evaluated.
Call the Police
In most pedestrian accidents, the driver or one of the witnesses will call the police. You should request for someone to call if they haven’t done so already.
The police must visit the accident scene to file an official report regardless of whether any injuries occurred. A call to the police should also notify emergency services to arrive and ensure that no one was injured.
Obtain the Driver’s Information and Contact Insurance Companies
Do not let the driver leave the accident scene without at least getting their name, contact information, and license plate number. If the driver stays for the police report, be prepared to talk with them. However, it’s very important not to apologize or admit to any wrongdoing even if you may be at fault.
If the driver does not have insurance coverage, you still might be covered by your insurance company under an uninsured motorist clause. Regardless, you should be prepared to talk with an insurance adjuster and answer their questions. You should not discuss fault, agree to any settlements, or sign documents without first speaking to a lawyer.
Gather Evidence
You should take pictures as soon as possible after the accident. Take pictures of the scene, where the vehicle hit you, and any street signs or other items that could be used as evidence. It’s also recommended to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses for potential testimonies in the future.
When possible, also consider writing down everything that you can remember about the accident. Some things to write down include:
- The time and date of the accident
- The cross streets and direction of travel
- Your best estimate of the driver’s speed
- The color of any visible traffic lights
- Any adverse road conditions (potholes, inclement weather, etc.)
Speak with Our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or someone you know was injured in a pedestrian accident in Atlanta, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. To find whether you have a case, call us today at 888-474-9616 or contact us online for a free consultation.