What To Do After a Pedestrian Car Accident - Adamson Ahdoot

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What To Do After A Pedestrian Car Accident

January 31, 2023 Alan Ahdoot
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Pedestrian accidents accounted for 1,133 fatalities in Los Angeles between 2011 and 2020, according to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Despite the city’s efforts to make the streets safer, Los Angeles has been the second-deadliest city for pedestrians for the past 10 years. Because it is such a frequent situation, knowing what to do after a pedestrian accident is highly recommended.

If you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident while walking or jogging in California, you have legal rights to pursue damages from the person who caused the accident. Due to time constraints the state places on filing a lawsuit, we highly recommend you contact Adamson Ahdoot immediately to discuss your rights and determine if filing a lawsuit is possible.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents 

Hit-and-run accidents among pedestrians have become an increasingly common problem in California. Pedestrian accidents happen for a number of reasons, but they’re most commonly attributed to:

  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding drivers
  • Poorly maintained streets or sidewalks
  • Lack of street signage
  • Poorly maintained landscaping
  • Faulty or broken crosswalk lights
  • Poorly lit roads

What to Do If You’re Hit By a Car as a Pedestrian?

If you’ve been injured but are still awake and conscious after a pedestrian car accident, make sure to do the following at the scene of the accident:

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

Even if you weren’t hurt much after the accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to rule out major issues like head trauma and internal bleeding, among others. Make sure to collect all documentation of the medical care you receive, including receipts, x-rays, and prescriptions, as these will factor into your personal injury case in the future.

Exchange Contact Information of the Other Driver

After receiving medical attention, you should collect the contact and insurance information of the other driver. We suggest you wait until you’ve secured a lawyer before you discuss your legal options with the other party. In the meantime, you may collect witness statements from other people present at the accident scene to verify what really happened.

Take Photos of the Accident Scene

Before leaving the scene, take pictures of your injuries, the surrounding area of the crash, and the damage done to your car and the other driver’s vehicle. These may be used to support your personal injury claim.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

To receive proper compensation for your s injuries, seek legal representation from a pedestrian accident attorney in Los Angeles. Our pedestrian accident attorneys have experience handling cases involving hit-and-run drivers. They can quickly determine if collecting compensation from your insurance is possible, even if the other driver fled the scene.

Under California law, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians while following traffic laws.

Here’s how the California Vehicle Code 21950 protects pedestrians:

  • The driver shall slow down or stop when a pedestrian crosses any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
  • Pedestrians must practice the duty of due care for their own safety. They are not allowed to leave a curb or run into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
  • The driver should reduce speed to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
  • The driver must practice duty of due care, even at unmarked crosswalks.

Can a Pedestrian be at Fault for the Accident?

Yes, pedestrians can be cited for not following traffic signs and regulations. California is not a no-fault state, but the state follows a pure comparative negligence system

This means the pedestrian and driver can share the blame, depending on the percentage of damages and injuries incurred from the accident.

What Types of Injuries Can be Sustained in a Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrians have nothing to protect them from an impact with a car or object, which makes them susceptible to serious injuries or, worse, death. Many pedestrians injured in a pedestrian accident face weeks, months, and even years of recovery. Oftentimes, victims suffer not only physically, but financially and emotionally as well.

a patient lying in hospital bed while undergoing a medical check-up
A personal injury lawyer can help you file a compensation claim after a car accident.

Below are the different types of injuries that can be sustained after a pedestrian car accident:

What to Expect From Personal Injury Compensation

After suffering from a pedestrian accident, we recommend consulting with a pedestrian accident lawyer at Adamson Ahdoot who will carefully consider the extent of your injuries and how your injury will affect your life moving forward. 

Our experienced lawyers will also consult doctors to determine what you’ll need financially to ensure a proper recovery. Our main goal when representing you is to get you the most appropriate amount of compensation possible for your injuries, losses, and expenses such as:

  • Hospital bills and medical care costs
  • Medicine and medical devices
  • Surgery and rehabilitation
  • Lost income
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Disability
  • Physical pain
  • Mental anguish

What To Do If You Hit a Pedestrian With Your Car?

Not sure what to do after a pedestrian car accident? If you accidentally hit a pedestrian while driving, stay calm and assess the other person’s condition. Here are other steps to follow after the accident:

Stop Your Car at the Scene

If you fail to stop after the accident, you may be charged with hit-and-run. Move your vehicle to the side of the road and wait for the first responders to arrive.

Wait for the Police

You are not allowed to leave the scene of the accident until the police have finished speaking with you. Once the cops arrive, be cooperative and provide your statement and contact information.

Seek Medical Attention

In some cases, the driver of the car who hit a pedestrian could also be injured. For this reason, you should also seek medical attention right away.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Even if you’re at fault for the accident, you still have the right to receive adequate legal representation. Contact a lawyer immediately so you can go over your legal options.

Consult Adamson Ahdoot for Legal Assistance

It’s understandable to may feel overwhelmed and lost after a pedestrian car accident. Ease your worries by turning to our experienced lawyers at Adamson Ahdoot. 

Our pedestrian accident lawyers understand how difficult this time can be for you and your loved ones. We can provide expert legal guidance and support when you need it the most.

If you have any questions that we didn’t cover in this article, feel free to call us at (800) 310-1606 today for a free consultation with a premier personal injury attorney.

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Above all else, our clients come first. We go above and beyond to obtain the highest level of compensation possible.

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Adamson Ahdoot has successfully executed a plethora of personal injury cases.

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Our team can better advise you on your legal options once we receive any available evidence about the incident.

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