About 129,000 pedestrians in the US seek emergency treatment each year due to a car accident. Involvement in a car crash can be devastating, especially as a pedestrian. This is because you are more likely to sustain serious injuries than being in a car.
Distractions Increase the Risks of Car Accidents
One reason for pedestrian-vehicle accidents is distraction; the pedestrian or the driver may not be paying attention to the road. Using a mobile phone while on the road is risky, especially in urban environments. Road safety experts explain that about 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen at night.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is another reason for road accidents. As many states legalize the recreational use of weed, the number of marijuana-positive drivers getting involved in road rage has increased. This highlights the importance of educating drivers to not drive while impaired.
A driver, however, may not always be at fault for a road accident involving a pedestrian. In some cases, a driver accidentally hits an individual because the person ignores a traffic signal or walks outside of a crosswalk. As a pedestrian, though, you have the right-of-way on public roads.
In case you figure in an accident, contact a car accident attorney to help you with all the legal matters.
Ensure Your Safety
When you get hit by a car, the first thing you need to do is to ensure your safety. Immediately seek for medical attention to prevent any injury from getting worse. Depending on the extent of the crash, you may suffer from cuts and bruises to various parts of your body, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, among others.
Refusing medical assistance may also weaken your claim because the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not due to the accident; too much time has passed between a medical checkup and filing the claim.
Additionally, you must gather enough evidence right after the accident. If you were with a friend, ask them to get the driver’s information: name, address, and contact details. If you were alone and able to, take note of the car information, from its model to the license plate number. These can serve as evidence for your claim.
File a Car Accident Claim
You can file a claim against the driver if the driver accidentally hit you while you’re in a crosswalk. Even if you’re not in a crosswalk when you got hit, you’re still likely to win the case. This is only when you didn’t try to run into the street or try to beat the traffic light.
Apart from the driver, you may also file a claim against the local municipality. There are vehicle-pedestrian accidents that happen because of the city or town’s failures. It can be due to poor street construction or faulty traffic control devices. Local governments are responsible for making their streets safe for both drivers and pedestrians.
Hiring a personal injury attorney makes the process easier for you. Your attorney knows how to negotiate and convince the court to grant you the compensation you deserve.
Given the number of fatalities and injuries due to car accidents, it’s essential to practice caution while on the road. It’s your responsibility to obey traffic rules and use the right crosswalks designated for pedestrians. Neglecting road safety comes with consequences.