Taking walks as leisure or for transportation is not only good for exercise, but overall wellbeing and the environment too. Before taking the journey outside, keep in mind safety to help prevent a pedestrian accident from happening to you or a loved one. Even under the best of precautions, a person may be hit by a negligent or reckless driver. Here we cover how to handle the scene of a pedestrian accident if it were to happen to you, or as a witness.
How should someone respond if he or she is struck by a vehicle?
The following steps should be taken immediately if a pedestrian were to be hit by a vehicle:
- Call 9-1-1 right away, do not leave the scene until law enforcement has arrived and taken down a statement of what happened.
- Request an ambulance. When our bodies are in shock, our injuries and relative pain can be hidden because of the amount of adrenaline coursing through our system. Call for medical attention in case there are underlying conditions you are not aware of yet.
- Get the driver’s contact information including name, address, license plate number, insurance company and driver’s license number. Do not permit the driver to leave, or state that you are okay.
- Look around for witnesses and ask if they are willing to give you their contact information. Those who observed the accident can make a statement about what happened to support your story, and can be helpful if you decide to take the driver to court for injury compensation.
- Contact your insurance company to let them know about the accident.
Do pedestrians always have the right of way?
Pedestrians usually have the right of when when crossing streets. The situations where this may not be the case are if a pedestrian has intentionally halted or disrupted traffic without necessity. In this scenario, the accident may not be considered completely the driver’s fault.
What are common injuries for pedestrians who get hit?
The severity of injuries a pedestrian may suffer from depends on many factors, including speed of car, where the person was hit and how he or she landed, among others. The most common injuries can include broken bones, road rash and a traumatic brain injury. Broken glass from the window shield can penetrate the skin and cause deep lacerations. The extremities are at risk for breaks and fractures due to the impact. A brain injury such as a concussion, brain swelling or bleeding can occur if the pedestrian endured sudden blunt force to the head when landing on the pavement.
What if I witness a pedestrian accident?
Call for police and an ambulance right away regarding the incident. If the car attempts to drive away, try to memorize the license plate number and type of car. While in a hurry trying to get to the fallen pedestrian, make sure to watch out for cars and safely cross so you are not hit by a vehicle too. Keep yourself safe so you can attend to the pedestrian and wait for support to arrive.
If you or someone you know has suffered from a pedestrian accident, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a pedestrian injury lawyer residents have trusted in the past.