Statistics from 2015 found that 32,166 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in the United States. That being said, not all collision involve multiple automobiles. Unfortunately, many innocent pedestrians find themselves becoming the victims of collisions from distracted drivers. Considering that, here are five important steps to follow after being hit by a motor vehicle.
- Move Away From the Road if Possible
It’s understandable to feel many emotions after being struck by a vehicle. You’ll likely feel angry, scared, and hurt after this type of collision takes place. If you are able to move on your own, it’s wise to get out of the road. Depending on where you are and the time of day, it might be hard for other drivers to see you. Therefore, it’s wise to move to the side of the road where you’re away from traffic. In the event that you’re severely injured, it might be a better idea to stay where you are. - Contact Law Enforcement
After you’ve been hit by a motor vehicle, someone needs to contact the police. You don’t want to wait too long to notify the authorities of what has happened. In certain situations, a bystander may have already called the police. Once the police arrive on the scene, be prepared to give an accurate statement regarding the crash. A police officer will want to investigate the cause of the collision. Many drivers are distracted due to driving under the influence of intoxicants. In fact, statistics from 2015 found that over 1 million drivers were placed under arrest for driving while impaired by either alcohol or narcotics. - Collect Relevant Information From Other Party
If possible, you’ll want to gather relevant information from the driver that has hit you. It’s understandable to want to jump to feeling angry. You’ll want to ensure that you’ve collected the insurance contact information from the other driver. However, you must remain as calm as possible in order to avoid tempers flaring from either side. It’s important to note that drugs other than alcohol are involved in nearly 16% of motor vehicle crashes. This statistics means you could be dealing with someone acting irrationally, making it imperative to remain calm. - Seek Medical Attention
In the event that you’ve been severely injured, it’s likely the police will have you take an ambulance ride to the hospital. It’s likely that you might not feel hurt enough to visit the emergency room. However, you’ll want to go to the hospital as it is better to be safe than sorry. In addition, seeking medical attention as soon as possible will be helpful when the time arrives to file an insurance claim. - Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Many people who have been struck by an automobile contact personal injury law firms. These law firms employ personal injury attorneys. It’s important to have a personal injury attorney on your side after being struck by a vehicle. With that in mind, an attorney gives you the best possible chance of winning your case and receiving the settlement you deserve. No claim ensure a guaranteed victory but contacting personal injury law firms is far better than representing yourself. In addition, personal injury law firms might be able to help you receive compensation for costly medical bills.
To summarize, there are several steps you’ll want to follow after being hit by an automobile. If at all possible, you’ll want to move to the side of the road to be away from oncoming traffic. Someone will need to contact law enforcement as soon as possible after you’ve been struck. You’ll want to ensure that you have the relevant contact and insurance information from the other driver. It’s wise to go ahead and take an ambulance ride to the hospital, especially if you feel pain after an accident. After seeking medical attention, many people seek out personal injury law firms in order to have a legal professional on their side.