Getting hit by a vehicle while walking in El Paso can be a life-changing experience. As a pedestrian, you have little protection against a collision with a much larger automobile weighing thousands of pounds. If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident, it’s important to know your legal rights and the steps you need to take after the collision. This article provides an overview of what to do if you are hit by a car while walking in El Paso.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first priority after any pedestrian accident is to get medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine initially, the adrenaline rushing through your body after the collision can mask serious injuries. Some common injuries for pedestrians hit by vehicles include broken bones, head trauma, organ damage, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries require prompt medical diagnosis and treatment.
Call 911 to have an ambulance transport you to the nearest emergency room. Do not try to drive yourself or take public transportation to the hospital. Professional medical evaluation and care is crucial for both your short-term and long-term health.
Document the Accident Scene
If possible, try to gather information about the accident scene while waiting for the ambulance. If you can safely do so, take photos showing the vehicle damage, skid marks, where you were hit, and any other relevant details. Get contact details for any witnesses who saw the accident occur. All of this evidence can help prove how the crash happened and who was at fault.
At the hospital, make sure the medical team thoroughly documents your injuries in your medical records. These will be vital later when seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Report the Crash to the Police
Contact the El Paso Police Department to file an official report on the pedestrian accident. Provide all the details you can remember about how you were hit by the vehicle. Ask any witnesses to give statements to the officer as well. The police report creates an official record of the incident that can support an injury claim.
Get Legal Help from a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer El Paso TX should be one of your first calls after seeking medical treatment. A qualified attorney can conduct a full investigation of the accident, identify all liable parties, deal with the insurance companies, and determine the full value of your injury claim. They will aggressively fight to get you maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and reduced quality of life resulting from the crash.
An El Paso pedestrian accident attorney can also handle the legal specifics like filing claims, negotiating settlements, or taking the case to court if needed. This allows you to focus on healing from your injuries. Retaining legal counsel quickly ensures all deadlines are met and no legal rights are waived.
Document All Your Injuries
Make sure your medical records contain extensive documentation of every injury you sustained in the collision. This includes even minor cuts and bruises in addition to major injuries like broken bones, head trauma, back injuries, etc. Detailed injury records enable your lawyer to seek full compensation for both your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover quantifiable losses like:
- Ambulance and emergency room bills
- Hospital charges
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Medical equipment and prescriptions
- Lost income from missing work
- Loss of future earnings if disabled
Non-economic damages include compensation for subjective losses like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Keep Track of All Accident-Related Expenses
As your pedestrian accident claim progresses, keep a running log of every cost you incur due to the collision. This includes medical bills, prescriptions, medical equipment, transportation to doctors’ appointments, costs for home health aides, property damage like a broken pair of glasses, etc. Your El Paso pedestrian accident lawyer can use this documentation to seek compensation for all of your accident-related expenditures.
Explore All Potential Sources of Compensation
In addition to the driver, there may be other parties who share liability for your injuries as a pedestrian. For example, if the driver was working at the time, their employer may be responsible through vicarious liability. If the accident was caused by a defective vehicle or dangerous roadway, the automaker, parts supplier, or government entity in charge of road maintenance could hold liability.
An experienced El Paso pedestrian accident attorney will explore every avenue to identify other potentially liable defendants besides the driver. This ensures you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Be Realistic About Settling Your Claim
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to pressure you into accepting an early settlement offer. It’s important not to rush into settling your pedestrian accident claim before you know the full extent of your injuries and losses. Settlements negotiated too quickly often grossly undercompensate the victim.
Wait until you have completed treatment and know the complete value of your claim before negotiating a fair settlement amount. A qualified El Paso pedestrian accident lawyer can handle settlement talks to ensure you receive full and just compensation.
Take Action after Being Hit as a Pedestrian
Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian can lead to catastrophic injuries with lifelong impacts. If you or a loved one has been hit by a car while walking in El Paso, take action right away to protect your legal rights. Seek immediate medical attention, report the accident to the police, document evidence from the scene, and retain a qualified pedestrian accident attorney. With experienced legal counsel on your side, you can make the best possible recovery both physically and financially. Your lawyer will handle the legal complexities so you can focus your energy on healing.
Don’t delay in contacting an attorney after a pedestrian accident—call us at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) for a free consultation if you or someone you love has been injured in El Paso or anywhere in Texas. Our attorneys are here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve after a pedestrian crash.
