Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries and big medical bills for victims. Recovering from physical trauma is difficult enough without having to pay all those bills or losing wages. It is important to understand legal protections after an incident.
Getting hit by a vehicle when it’s not your fault often happens because someone else was not careful enough. While nothing undoes the damage, asserting rights helps ensure fair payment. It also prevents more suffering later on. That’s why hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential. If you are looking for one, check out injured.ca.
This guide provides a clear process for handling the aftermath in the right way.
Immediate Steps After the Accident
- See a doctor ─ Get looked at by a medical professional right after, even if you think the injuries are small. Some problems may not show up at first, and the doctor can check you over and write down what’s hurt. This is important for any claims with insurance or legal stuff later on.
- Call the cops ─ Report the accident to the police. Having their report is key for your case, as it tells what happened to someone not involved. Give them all the details and ask for a copy for yourself.
- Gather evidence at the scene ─ Take pictures of everything – cars, injuries, road signs, anything that could help. Also get contact info from witnesses if others saw, as what they say could be useful later on.
- Keep the driver and witnesses ther ─ Try to make sure the other person in the crash and anyone who saw stay until the police come. Their stories to the cops are important for the report and any legal things after.
Learn About Your Legal Rights
- No-fault insurance ─ If you’re hit by a car as a pedestrian, a no-fault system covers your claims in many places. With this, you’re allowed personal injury protection also called PIP benefits no matter who was at fault. PIP pays for things like medical bills, missed work pay, and rehab costs. You need to understand how it all works and what you can get help with paying.
- Filing a PIP claim ─ To get the PIP money, you gotta file a claim with your insurance. Send them bills from doctors and proof of time off work and other stuff that shows what you spent on injuries from the accident. Keep track of every detail about expenses related to what happened and how you were hurt.
- Suing the driver maybe ─ While no-fault covers a lot, you could still sue the driver who caused it if it was their fault and you got seriously hurt. You need to prove they were not being careful and it led to the accident and pain and suffering issues. Talking to a lawyer for pedestrian accidents helps figure out if you have a case and guides you through the legal process.
Consult a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Dealing with all the legal stuff after an accident is tough and confusing. A pedestrian accident lawyer knows what they’re doing and helps guide you through the process. They explain what rights you have and fight for you with the insurance companies and others involved. The lawyer handles all the communication so you don’t have to stress over every call and letter.
When choosing a lawyer, look at their past cases dealing with pedestrian accidents like yours. Their experience and reputation matter. You want someone willing to really stand up for what you deserve. A good lawyer works for a percent of the money rather than charging high fees upfront, so they only get paid if you win.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Read your car insurance paperwork to see what help it offers if you’re hit as a pedestrian. Some plans provide extra money above your no-fault coverage for things it may not pay.
Work with your lawyer to be sure you’re getting all the benefits due from your insurance. This includes help with doctor bills, missed work pay, and any other payments you should receive. Your lawyer knows how to handle the claim process and make certain you receive everything your insurance says you deserve.
How to Deal With Hit and Run Accidents?
Hit and runs are a different situation because the person responsible took off without stopping to take responsibility. When this happens, it’s important to move quickly and gather all the information available. Call the police right away and provide any details that are remembered about the vehicle or driver so they have something to work with.
Another option is to check your own auto insurance policy. Certain plans will provide aid for injuries and damages if a hit-and-run occurs and the at-fault party isn’t found. This coverage protects in the case the person responsible can’t be identified or doesn’t have insurance of their own.
Follow Up on Medical Treatment
It’s important to keep up with medical care after first getting checked out. Attending follow-up appointments, doing what the doctor says, and keeping close records of your treatment and healing process. This information will be useful for insurance claims and legal matters.
Documenting your recovery is also smart. Keep a diary noting pain levels, what activities are hard, and how the daily routine is impacted. This provides a clear view of how the accident has affected your quality of life and can support a claim for damages by creating a full picture of your experience recovering.
Following doctor’s orders and detailed notes of progress ensure your case is backed by strong evidence.
Taking Legal Action
Going the legal route may be necessary if injuries are serious and insurance isn’t enough to cover costs and damages. Your lawyer can help through the lawsuit process against the driver at fault, by preparing evidence, filing documents needed, and speaking for you in court.
Trials are a long road, with a lot of ins and outs. But your attorney will have your back every step. They’ll help make sense of it all, get you ready if you need to go to the courthouse, and fight hard for your case. Taking someone to court over an accident they caused isn’t easy. Having an experienced ally guiding you who understands the process can make a huge difference.
Last Words
If you find yourself injured after an accident involving a vehicle, it is important to protect yourself moving forward. Quick steps like documenting what happened and speaking with a lawyer can help secure what is fair as you focus on healing. Experts are there to assist with the difficult paperwork and conversations, so you have allies in handling this stressful time.