Pedestrian Hit by Car: What to Do

December 1, 2023

Video transcript

Were you struck by a car while walking? We understand how traumatic a pedestrian car accident can be. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to potentially be compensated for your injuries, and the pain and suffering you experienced. Hello there, I’m representing Hensley Legal Group, a personal injury law firm based out of Indiana. Today, I’m here here to talk to you about what to do after a car accident involving a pedestrian. Whether you are the Pedestrian, or driver in a pedestrian car accident, it’s crucial you call the police as soon as you can after the accident. By doing this you can help ensure both parties get the medical attention they need right away. It’ll also help jumpstart the insurance claims process, since a police report will be created of the incident that the insurer can use for its investigation. If you have mobility and are not severely injured, it could be helpful to document any details you recall about the accident. We also recommend taking pictures of your injuries, the vehicle that was involved, and the location in which the accident took place. You may also want to ask the other party for their contact information, and insurance information. If you were not seen by a medical professional immediately following the accident, it would be wise to schedule a doctor’s visit in the days following the accident. This step is important. Not only because it’ll serve as proof you were injured in the accident, but because it’ll help ensure you are not further injured. There are many serious injuries that can result from a pedestrian car accident, if they’re not treated promptly they could cause irreversible damage or death. Dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian car accident on your own can be a nightmare, particularly if you’ve decided to file a claim with the at fault parties insurance company. You likely will need to schedule appointments with multiple medical providers, and go back and forth with the insurance claims adjuster frequently. Luckily a pedestrian accident attorney can relieve the burden for you, by both managing your medical treatment and interacting with the insurance company on your behalf. Keep in mind that while the deadline to file an insurance claim ‘technically’ is 2 years from the date of the accident, you really should file within the first few weeks of the accident for the best chance at a successful claim. If you sought medical attention for your injuries, chances are you were provided with a treatment plan. Perhaps you were prescribed physical therapy, or chiropractic visits. Whatever it was, it’s crucial you adhere to the prescribed protocol. By doing so, you’re more likely to receive a favorable settlement from the insurer. Which can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars, to a million dollars, or more depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors. There are few things more painful than losing a loved one in a pedestrian car accident, however, you’re not without recourse. While you cannot file a personal injury claim on behalf of a deceased person, you potentially can file a wrongful death claim. If the deceased had been an adult, only the personal representative of the deceased party’s estate can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their family. If the deceased had been a child, one or both of their parents or legal guardians can file a claim. Keep in mind that for a wrongful death claim to be successful you’ll need to prove the other party’s negligence caused the accident. You may not know this, but insurance companies are not your friend. As a result, you need someone to act as your advocate. That someone is a pedestrian accident attorney. There are no downsides to working with a pedestrian accident attorney. In fact, we won’t even charge you our usual attorney fees and costs unless we win you a settlement. We hope this video has provided you with the guidance you need to successfully navigate your pedestrian car accident. Be sure to like our video if you found it helpful, and if you’d like to consult with us about your accident we are standing by 24/7 to assist. Thanks for tuning in, and please stay safe out there. [Music] [Music]