Nobody ever plans on being hit by a car. Unfortunately, people are struck by vehicles and seriously injured. If you get hit by a car as a pedestrian, you may wonder what your next steps should be.
First and foremost, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s always best to avoid caution and get checked out by a doctor. If you are seriously injured, you may need to be hospitalized. This can be a scary and overwhelming experience, but try to remain calm and focus on your recovery.
Once stable, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney. If the driver who hit you fled the scene, you might have difficulty tracking them down and getting them to pay for your medical bills and other damages.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help You?
Pedestrian accident lawyers are experienced advocates who can help you seek your rightful compensation on time. In many states, there is a limited time frame in which you can file a lawsuit, so it’s important to act quickly. A lawyer will know how to deal with insurance companies and get you the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer can also help if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. In these cases, your own insurance company may try to lowball you on your settlement. You can get the full amount you are due with the aid of a lawyer. Good lawyers are hard to find, but if you find a great one for your case, you can rest assured you’re on the right track to claiming what you rightfully deserve.
Tips For Avoiding Hit-And-Runs
A hit and run occurs when a driver collides with another car or pedestrian, causing property damage, injury, or even death, and then leaves the scene without providing any insurance or contact information. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, there are some steps you can take to increase the chances of finding the responsible party.
If you are involved in a hit-and-run, try to get as much information about the other vehicle as possible. If you can, make a note of the license plate’s make, model, color, and number. Find out the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, if there are any. Call the police to file a report; this will be important if you need to make an insurance claim. Your injury attorney will handle the rest.
Compensation Claims You Can Expect in Hit And Run Case
If you are a hit-and-run victim, there are a few different compensation claims you can make.
- First, if you have auto insurance, your policy may cover hit-and-run damage to your vehicle. You will likely have to pay a deductible, but your insurer will take care of the rest.
- Second, if you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, this will cover your medical bills and lost wages up to a certain limit, regardless of who is at fault.
- Finally, if the other driver is found and held responsible, you can file a claim against their insurance company for damages. This may include your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other losses such as lost wages and pain and suffering.
Conclusion
A hit-and-run accident is a scary thing. Even self-driving cars are unable to detect pedestrians. You are left alone and injured, wondering what just happened. Your initial course of action should be to call the police. They will help you sort out what happened and will look for the driver who hit you.
You can do some things to protect yourself from being in a hit-and-run accident. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are walking, stay on well-lit sidewalks and away from busy streets. If you are driving, be extra cautious at night and in areas where there is not a lot of foot traffic.
