What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Springfield, IL?

Victims of a pedestrian accident face the risk of serious injury and loss of life. In these situations, it is imperative that you seek medical care as a first step. If you are okay at that moment, there are a few other things you should do after a pedestrian accident in Springfield, IL, to protect your case and your well-being. Follow these steps when possible and safe to do so. As always, speak with a Springfield pedestrian accident attorney about your case.

Call 911 Immediately

Get medical care to the location right away. Pedestrians may be able to stand and walk even if they have a concussion or internal injuries. You may not even know how bad your injuries are. By calling for medical care, you can protect yourself from unknown injuries.

In addition, police arrive at the scene, which can mean you have support in documenting the evidence of the accident. The police officer will collect all forensic evidence and interview all involved parties. This is valuable evidence that could help you later. Provide the police with accurate information about what you saw prior to the accident and what the driver did after they struck you. Do not speculate.

Take Photos and Document the Accident

If you feel safe enough to do so, take photos of the accident location, your injuries, and the damage to the vehicle involved. These photos should document as much evidence as possible, such as your location in the crosswalk, the functioning crossing signals, and the location of other parties.

Witness Information

Witnesses are a valuable resource because they may see both what caused the accident and its aftermath. When possible, gather their name and contact information. You can also ask them to provide a statement. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will use the information available from you to get additional data from that witness later if necessary.

Get Medical Care Immediately

As soon as you can, get to the hospital. Tell the hospital emergency room what happened and where the car struck you. They will complete a wide range of tests to determine what injuries you have, including those you may not realize are present. Getting medical care right after the accident demonstrates that those injuries came from the car accident and not anything else.

Get Help from a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Springfield, IL, Immediately

Once your medical needs are met, it is time to seek help from an attorney. Your lawyer will become your advocate in several ways:

• Proving what happened and who is at fault. Your attorney gathers additional evidence to substantiate your claims and prove what caused the driver to strike you, such as intoxication or fatigue.
• Prove what your losses are. This includes all medical and emotional losses you sustained from the accident and any damages owed to you.
• Negotiate with the insurance company. Your attorney will contact the insurance company and file a claim for you. They will then negotiate fair compensation or, if the insurance company is unwilling, go to court to fight for you.

Hiring an attorney is one of the most important things to do after a pedestrian accident in Springfield, IL. No other party will work as closely with you to build your case and claim, nor hold those who hurt you accountable under the law.