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A pedestrian road accident is a traumatic event. It also happens very suddenly. You may have been crossing the road at an intersection when a negligent driver forgets to yield way, colliding with you head-on or a tired driver is blinded by the sun and rams into you. You are injured and in pain, for a moment, you may not even know where you are.
If a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be worried about their health, their pain and suffering, and the medical expenses that will come up. It can be nerve wracking. Thankfully, the victim may be eligible for compensation for all losses suffered. This is why you need to talk to a New Jersey pedestrian accident attorney immediately.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident at an Intersection
Following an accident at an intersection, here’s what you should do:
- Move away from the road. To avoid further injury or damage and also to avoid impeding traffic flow, it is better to get off the road. If you are unable to do so on your own, you can as for assistance. If you are seriously injured, it would be better to wait for an ambulance rather than have people move you.
- Call 911. Inform the police of the accident, report the injuries you sustained, share your location and request an ambulance.
- Afterward, you should get the driver’s contact information. This information includes the name, phone number, physical address and driver’s license number. You also want to capture the driver’s auto insurance information. Besides the driver, get the contact information of any passengers in the driver’s car and witnesses at the scene. These witnesses may testify in your favor later on in trial.
- Do not admit liability. Do not admit fault to the driver or anyone at the scene. Sometimes, the driver may try to blame you for the accident so as to get a confession. Do not fall for it.
- Take pictures of the scene. You can use your phone’s camera. Capture the car that hit you. Get its make, model, plate number and its general physical condition. Capture the exact spot where the accident occurred. Note down the weather and road traffic at the time.
If you do not have a phone or camera, you can request someone to take pictures for you. You can even draw the scene on a piece of paper for yourself.
When the police arrive, they will question both you and the driver before filing a report. The ambulance will then rush you to hospital. It is absolutely important to get medical assistance. Sometimes, you may be seriously injured but the adrenaline rush that follows the accident clouds your symptoms. Do get medical assistance. The physician can note down the extent of your injuries that will be useful in filing for compensation.
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident at an intersection, contact the auto accident lawyers at Nagel Rice, LLP today to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, damage to property, pain and suffering, and lost wages during your time of recovery.