What to do When You Are Struck as a Pedestrian
Pedestrian accidents happen more often than you imagine. Many people become victims of such accidents even when they take preventive measures such as using crosswalks, keeping a proper lookout, and wearing reflective clothing. Contacting our office does not cost you anything, and if we handle your case, we only get paid a percentage of what we are able to attain for you. If for any reason, we are unsuccessful, you would owe us nothing.
When You Are Hit By a Car or Truck and You Experience Pedestrian Trauma, Follow These Guidelines:
Call the Police:
If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you should call the police right away even if the driver wants to “Settle out of court”. Police can come to the scene and make sure the driver’s fault is adequately documented. The police are empowered to issue citations and arrest individuals for breaking the rules of the road. Police Reports are also instrumental in helping prove your case. Calling 911 will also enable the dispatcher to send medical help if you are seriously injured. Also, failing to take proper measures to ensure the driver is held responsible could place you in a compromising position later on. Some of our clients who have failed to call the police to the scene have become the victims of further abuse when the other driver decides to lie about the events. If the police had been at the scene, it would have been much more difficult for the driver to make false statements after the fact.
Document Evidence:
If you are able to, take photographs of the vehicle (Especially the license plate), the other driver, and your cuts and abrasions. If the other driver is cooperative, document their name, address, and insurance information. Take photos of the vehicle operator’s driver’s license and registration. Any physical evidence that you can document will come in handy once a lawyer starts working on the case.
Try to document the exact location of the accident. There may be surveillance cameras in the area of your accident that have captured the events of the accident, and our office may be able to obtain that footage.
Get the contact information for any witnesses that may have observed the events of the accident. We may be able to contact these witnesses and memorialize their testimony in affidavit form. These statements can go a long way in substantiating your case.
Get the Medical Treatment You Need:
Massachusetts is full of tough people. Many of us want to “Walk off” any injuries we sustain. If you have been struck by a motor vehicle, you could be seriously injured. Most people do not know that if they try to “Walk off” an injury resulting from a car accident and later find out that they have a serious problem, the insurance company will argue that the injury is not related to the accident. Sounds awful, we know. Despite what many of us hear from the smiling mouths on auto insurance commercials, those companies will do everything they can to refrain from paying out settlements.
There should be auto insurance coverage for your medical bills, so don't worry too much about the medical bills. The way medical bills are processed after an auto accident is complicated and we would be happy to explain that process to you.
Contact a Reputable Lawyer as Soon as is Practical:
Nearly every injury case is resolved with an insurance company and does not require the need to go to court. Do not feel that in order to pursue a settlement for an accident that you will need to endure contentious legal proceedings. 99% of our cases resolve fairly quickly and outside of court. Our client's primary responsibility is taking care of themselves and getting back on their feet.
Contacting a lawyer as soon as you are able contributes to a positive outcome of the case. Soon after the accident, insurance companies will try and contact you in order to get a statement. Despite not being at fault for the accident, victims can unwittingly make statements that comprise their case.
Lawyers are also able to secure evidence that you are not in a position to, due to your injuries. Our firm is able to start on your cases immediately and begin preserving any and all evidence of the accident and your injuries.
Lost wages. Lawyers can also help secure part of the auto insurance coverage that may cover some of your lost wages resulting from your injuries. It is important to make claims for this coverage quickly before the medical bills exhaust the available limits.
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable to accidents from negligent drivers who violate traffic laws by operating under the influence, texting, reckless driving, and speeding. Pedestrian accidents can be minor or they can cause very serious injuries. Such accidents may cause grief to loved ones if lives are lost, loss of income, lifestyle change due to permanent injuries, and enormous medical bills from injuries sustained. Our goal is to ensure our clients receive higher settlements and compensation to rebuild their lives, as we understand pedestrian accidents do cause not only physical injuries but also mental and psychological turmoil.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you or your loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, call us today at (617) 939-9894 or fill in the contact form on our website to receive a free confidential consultation. Our personal injury attorneys in Woburn, MA have the experience necessary to help resolve your case. The injuries resulting from these accidents can be life-changing and fatal and you should certainly work with an experienced and compassionate attorney in order to achieve the maximum compensation with the least amount of aggravation added to your life.