Dos And Don’ts For Pedestrians Who Were Hit By A Vehicle

If you were a pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle while walking or running along the road, you are likely grappling with a myriad of physical, emotional, and financial struggles. We are extremely sorry for the pain and suffering you are experiencing. This event has no doubt caused a severe disruption to your life, and the effect of all of these consequences can be exacerbated if you were hit because of a negligent driver. 

You have a right to seek justice and fair compensation for the ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitation, lost wages, property damage, or other burdens this has brought on. However, navigating insurance claims and other legal processes can add another layer of stress to your circumstances. In this blog, we aim to outline the crucial dos and don’ts for pedestrians who were hit by a vehicle and who are seeking compensation.

Do: seek medical attention

First and most importantly, you’ll want to be seen by a medical professional after any sort of accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and only a thorough medical examination can identify any hidden or internal injuries, if they exist. Prompt medical attention is crucial for early detection and treatment of injuries, which can significantly impact your recovery outcome. It also demonstrates a commitment to your health and well-being, and ensures that your injuries are not aggravated.

Additionally, seeking medical attention establishes a clear record of the injuries sustained in the accident, which are vital if you are pursuing a personal injury claim or seeking compensation for medical expenses. Without timely and legitimate medical records, it can be challenging to establish a direct link between the accident and the injuries, potentially impacting your legal case. 

Don’t: neglect your doctor’s orders

Your medical care, treatment, and recovery doesn’t stop after the initial examination, though. You must follow through with your doctor’s orders for treating your injuries. This could mean that you were prescribed certain medications, instructed to attend physical therapy, schedule follow-up visits at specific intervals, and more. Failing to follow your doctor’s directions could put your recovery, as well as your compensation, at risk. When you pick up your prescribed drugs, attend a physical therapy session, or schedule these follow-up visits, there is now a record of your dedication to healing and provides legitimacy to your claims and injuries. 

Don’t: talk about your case on social media or upload any photos/videos that could jeopardize your claims

If possible, you should avoid using social media through the duration of your personal injury case. If you simply aren’t able to make the sacrifice, you should be sure to use extreme caution with the things you post – especially when it comes to photos and videos – and the things you allow others to post about you. Those posts may contradict your claims and cast doubt on the extent of your injuries. You may be thinking that your profiles are safe because they are on “private” or you only allow a certain number of people to see them, but nothing on the internet is truly hidden. it is better to be safe than sorry! You don’t want something as simple as a photo of you at a park being used against you and putting your compensation in jeopardy.

Do: keep your own record of pain and suffering, missed work, and other relevant information

While your medical information may be on-record, much of the other complications being hit by a car has caused in your life will not be. Therefore, it is up to you to keep your own records of those instances, especially when it comes to your physical, mental, emotional, and financial hardships. This can be as simple as keeping a journal or notebook with dates and times of particularly hard days. You may have lain awake all night because your pain caused you not to be able to sleep. Or, you may have had to miss days of work at a time due to your emotional and mental trauma which would have made it impossible to fulfill your obligations. Whatever it may be, it is important to document and keep record of. 

Don’t: delay seeking legal representation

If you plan to pursue compensation, you should not waste time when it comes to hiring a skilled and aggressive personal injury lawyer. When hired in a timely manner, an attorney who specializing in pedestrian accident cases can preserve crucial evidence related to the accident, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and other relevant documentation that may become less accessible over time. 

Moreover, establishing legal representation early can help you better navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure that your rights are protected, that you are aware of your legal options, that the potential value of your claim is assessed, and more. Experienced personal injury attorneys know all the “dirty tricks” so to speak, or how the insurance companies will try to get out of paying you what you deserve, or anything at all. Having their knowledge on your side will put you in a better position for negotiating and achieving a favorable outcome. 

Do: report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible, but speak with your lawyer in advance about what information to reveal

You’ll need to report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you are able, but again, you’ll want to exercise extreme caution about the information that you reveal. In fact, it’s in your best interests to have your personal injury lawyer coach you beforehand, so that you don’t give any information that could jeopardize your claim. 

The date, time, and location of the accident are relevant, as are the parties involved, any witnesses to the accident, and your injuries. However, it’s vital that you don’t admit any fault, make any assumptions, or share unrelated personal information. In this way, your privacy can remain protected and the focus can remain on resolving your claim effectively.

Contact The Florida Law Group Today 

The award-winning attorneys at our firm have recovered over $1 billion dollars for our clients, and we will work to recover a sizable settlement for you if you were injured as a pedestrian! You don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you. Don’t let the insurance companies or a negligent driver force you to settle for less than what you deserve. Call our office today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about whether you have a case and how we can guide you through it.