Going for a jog, walking your dog, or crossing the street should not be hazardous. Unfortunately, accidents involving cars hitting pedestrians are alarmingly common. These accidents can cause devastating injuries and deaths, leaving families with costly medical bills and overbearing financial pressure.
As you work on recovering from your injuries from a pedestrian accident, you might be feeling lost. A knowledgeable Gibsonton pedestrian accident lawyer at Distasio Law Firm could examine the details of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. They could guide you through the steps involved in pursuing a personal injury suit against the person or people responsible for your losses.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Collision
People should try to follow specific steps after a pedestrian accident, such as:
Getting a Medical Evaluation
Anytime somebody gets hit by a car, they should seek medical attention immediately. Because the human body has no defenses against a multi-ton motor vehicle, people struck by cars often suffer life-altering or life-threatening harm. Even if you do not feel that your injuries are serious, you should still seek an evaluation either right at the crash scene or in an emergency room. Some serious injuries—such as brain injuries—are not always immediately apparent or outwardly visible, but early detection and prompt treatment can make a difference in your overall prognosis. In addition, a thorough medical evaluation can provide a written record linking your injuries to the pedestrian crash, which you could use as evidence in a legal claim.
Gathering Evidence
Pedestrian collision survivors should try to collect evidence. You should get the name, contact information, and insurance information from the driver and any eyewitnesses. You should also take pictures of the accident scene and your resulting injuries and take down written notes about what you recall.
Meeting With an Attorney
Because crash scenes are often chaotic, gathering evidence from the scene might not be possible, which is why working with a skilled legal team at any stage of the investigation is critical. A dedicated Gibsonton pedestrian accident attorney at our firm, such as Scott Distasio, could perform a detailed investigation and help you fight for justice.
Common Causes of Crashes Involving Walkers & Automobiles
Pedestrian accidents can happen in any area where some people walk while others drive. They frequently occur at intersections, where careless or reckless motorists fail to notice people crossing the road. They also often happen in parking lots, where impatient drivers fail to check around them before backing out of their parking spots.
The most common reasons cars strike people on foot are as follows:
- Failure to yield
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Failure to use turn signals
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to look before turning or merging
- Bad weather causing decreased visibility
- Speeding – When motorists travel too fast, they cannot stop in time to prevent a collision with a pedestrian
- Distracted driving – Motorists who look away from the road might fail to see someone like a child darting in the street after a lost ball
Our dedicated lawyers could work tirelessly and skillfully to determine what happened and help you recover a fair damages award after a pedestrian crash in Gibsonton.
Meet With a Gibsonton Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When a car strikes a pedestrian, you might assume the legal claim would be simple. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Defense attorneys and insurance companies often fight hard to deny liability and place the blame on the walker.
A Gibsonton pedestrian accident lawyer at Distasio Law Firm understands how insurance companies work. They could gather the evidence you need to build a solid claim for the compensation and justice you deserve. Meet with our committed legal team today.
