Do you like going for a walk every now and then? Do you work in Lexington, Kentucky and walk to work each day? Going for a walk is great for your health. It can also be extremely dangerous. How? Being a pedestrian is dangerous because you never know when a vehicle might fail to yield to you, run a red light, or even jump the curb and wind up on the sidewalk. Suffering an injury as a pedestrian in a car accident can be devastating. You might not be able to return to work. You could wind up paralyzed. You might need help with daily activities for the rest of your life. Here is what to do if you are injured as a pedestrian.
Stay at the Scene in a Safe Place
If you are ever hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, the most important thing you can do is remain at the scene, but do so in a safe place. Unless you are injured to the point where you cannot move, it is in your best interest to move away from the accident scene and out of the street. Move onto the sidewalk, go into a store, or sit in a witness’ car. Staying in the street after being hit will only lead to the possibility of another accident.
Call 911
Whether you make the call to 911 yourself, or you ask someone else to make the call, make sure that the authorities are notified of the accident. You will definitely want the police to respond, as well as paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters. All of these emergency personnel will help treat you at the scene, transport you to the hospital, and secure your statement about the accident. Multiple calls to 911 are better than assuming someone made the call and you find out later that no one notified the authorities.
Accept Medical Care
You should never refuse medical care at the scene of a pedestrian accident with a vehicle in Lexington. This is a bad move in more ways than one. For starters, it is a bad decision for your health. Secondly, refusing medical care can come back to haunt you when trying to file a lawsuit for compensation against the at-fault driver. Let the responding emergency personnel examine and treat any injuries. If they recommend you go to the hospital, which they should in this circumstance, accept transport.
Document the Scene
Are you in good enough shape to document the accident scene? Try to take some pictures of the area where you were hit. Take pictures of the car that hit you, the street signs, the road conditions, the debris from the crash, your injuries and other items you think will help you when you file a claim.
Talk to an Attorney Today
The next thing you need to do is talk to an attorney immediately. Do not wait until you are released from the hospital. Contact a personal injury attorney from Roberts Law Office in Lexington at 859-231-0202 to schedule a consultation. Be sure to avoid speaking with insurance companies until you talk to an attorney.