Being hit by a car is traumatic and disorienting. The steps you take immediately after a pedestrian accident significantly impact your health and legal claim. Knowing what to do helps you protect yourself physically and financially.
Immediate Safety Steps
Don't move if you suspect spinal injury. Wait for emergency responders unless you're in immediate danger from traffic.
If you can move safely, get out of the roadway to prevent secondary injuries from other vehicles.
Call 911 immediately. Report the accident and request medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor.
Getting Medical Attention
Accept ambulance transport to the hospital. Adrenaline masks pain, and serious injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Get thorough evaluation including imaging studies. Internal injuries, brain injuries, and fractures may not show obvious symptoms initially.
Follow all treatment recommendations. Declining care or missing appointments undermines both your health and your claim.
Documenting at the Scene
Get the driver's information - name, phone, address, driver's license number, insurance company and policy number, and license plate.
Photograph everything if physically able - the vehicle, damage, your injuries, the accident location, traffic signals, and any skid marks.
Get witness information. Other pedestrians, drivers, and bystanders may have seen what happened. Get names and phone numbers.
Talking to Police
Wait for police to arrive and file an official report. This documents the accident and may establish driver fault.
Give your account of what happened, but stick to facts you clearly remember. Don't speculate or guess.
Don't admit fault or apologize. What you say becomes part of the record and can be used against you.
What Not to Do
Don't refuse medical treatment at the scene. Even if you feel okay, get evaluated. Injury symptoms often appear later.
Don't leave the scene without exchanging information and speaking with police.
Don't negotiate with the driver or accept money to "settle it between ourselves." Injuries may be far more serious than they initially appear.
Don't give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice.
In the Days Following
See your doctor for follow-up evaluation even if the ER discharged you. Some injuries develop or worsen over time.
Document your injuries with photographs daily as bruising and swelling develop. Keep a journal of symptoms and pain levels.
Save all medical records and bills. Request copies of hospital records, diagnostic images, and treatment notes.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
The driver's insurance company may contact you quickly. Be cautious - they seek to minimize payouts.
Don't give recorded statements without consulting an attorney. Adjusters use your words against you.
Don't accept early settlement offers before understanding the full extent of your injuries. Quick offers are usually inadequate.
Preserving Evidence
Keep damaged clothing and personal items. They're evidence of the collision's force and your position.
Request surveillance footage from nearby businesses before it's deleted. Traffic cameras may have recorded the accident.
Get copies of the police report once available. Review it for accuracy and completeness.
When to Contact an Attorney
Consult an attorney as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident. Early involvement protects your rights.
Attorneys handle evidence preservation - sending spoliation letters, obtaining footage, and documenting the scene.
Legal guidance helps you avoid mistakes that could damage your claim.
Protecting Your Claim Long-Term
Follow all medical treatment recommendations. Gaps in care suggest injuries aren't serious.
Stay off social media. Posts about activities can be used to dispute injury severity.
Keep records of all expenses, missed work, and impacts on your daily life.