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What to Do If You Are Hit by a Car

In many urban areas, the car-centric lifestyle has become a thing of the past. People enjoy having the option of walking to their desired destination. However, there are still potential hazards that accompany walking. For example, drivers often ignore the speed limit when driving down city streets. Thus, they will have a shorter amount of time to stop and avoid a pedestrian accident.

If you are hit by a car, then you should take the following steps. Doing so will help you to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Seek Immediate Medical Assistance

Are you in considerable pain after a pedestrian accident? If you remain conscious, then you need to call 911 immediately. A dispatcher will send the police and emergency medical services to the accident scene.

It is important to submit to a medical evaluation, even if you feel completely fine. You could have internal injuries that take a while for symptoms to appear. Additionally, the emergency responders will complete a medical report after assessing your condition. This report could serve as a useful piece of evidence if you choose to file an accident claim.

Speak to the Police

After receiving medical treatment, you should speak to the police. It is important to tell them your version of what happened. The police will include any information you provide in the accident report.

Further, the police may conclude that the driver is responsible for your injuries. If this is the case, then you can use the accident report as evidence when filing a claim and negotiating a settlement.

Obtain the Driver’s Contact Information

Did the driver involved in the accident remain at the accident scene? If so, then you should ask him or her for the following information.

  • Driver’s license number
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Insurance information

Your attorney will need this information when contacting the driver’s insurance company. Thus, if you are physically able, then you should reach out to the driver immediately.

Seek Professional Legal Assistance

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, the injuries suffered are typically severe. To rehabilitate these injuries, a person could potentially spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on medical treatment. The average Californian cannot afford this large of an expense. Thus, he or she will need to recover financial compensation from the driver’s insurance company.

However, it is difficult for an injured pedestrian to do this on his or her own. An experienced Oakland injury lawyer can help ensure that your legal rights and livelihood remain protected. As such, it is important to seek professional legal assistance immediately after a pedestrian accident.

Contact an Oakland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Are you a pedestrian that was hit by a car? If so, then you need legal representation that delivers results. Our attorneys can help you file a pedestrian accident claim. We can also help you negotiate an excellent settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and in some instances, your own insurance company. Further, we take cases to trial, and as a result, we can take your case to court if necessary.

For a free consultation, give us a call. Contact Heinrich Law, PC at (510) 944-0110, or send us a message online.