FOLLOW US ON
If you were struck by a motor vehicle while walking near a road or crossing the street, you might be in a state of shock. Although there is a high likelihood that you were injured in this event, there are a number of things that you or someone else could do after a pedestrian accident in Cicero to bolster a potential lawsuit. You are not expected to handle this task on your own, so you should reach out to a determined pedestrian accident attorney for assistance.
After a pedestrian accident, it is important to relocate everyone away from the road so an additional accident does not occur. Safety should be of paramount concern. Once everyone has been moved to a safe location, someone should call for the police and, if necessary, an ambulance. It is common after an accident for the parties to take pictures of evidence at the scene. Pictures are always helpful with regards to liability, as well as proving damages.
It is always advisable to call the police at the scene following a pedestrian accident. There needs to be some kind of documentation that the impact has occurred. With no police report, a dishonest driver could deny they were ever involved in an incident. Furthermore, the police can investigate the causes of the collision. This will be important in determining fault between the driver and the pedestrian. What a person does after a Cicero pedestrian accident can have major ramifications for the future.
After being in a pedestrian accident, it is always advisable to seek medical assistance in an emergency room or through some other medical treatment. Sometimes it takes hours or days for the pain to worsen following a pedestrian accident. Adrenaline from the accident can mask the pain which they might otherwise have been experiencing.
In addition to the medical reasons, it is also important to see a doctor for reasons concerning a potential lawsuit. If the injured individual hoped that the pain would get better and they do not see a doctor for several weeks after the accident, it might be impossible to prove that their pain and symptoms they are now feeling are directly related to the accident. From a legal standpoint, it is helpful to have injuries documented at a doctor’s office or hospital.
It is important to follow up with prompt medical attention following a pedestrian accident. They may have sustained injuries which are not evident to them but that the doctor could identify and diagnose. The other reason to follow up with treatment is to demonstrate to the insurance company that the plaintiff did sustain injury in the accident and is not trying to compensate for an accident that occurred later. Insurance companies look at medical records and medical treatment as evidence of injuries sustained in an accident.
One of the most important things a person could do after a local pedestrian collision is to call a lawyer. The attorney is in a good position to investigate the facts, as well as begin to document any potential claim for damages. There are likely a number of factors involved that might not seem meaningful at first but can have a detrimental impact on the final resolution of the case.
A lawyer could advise the individual at an early stage to avoid certain pitfalls which may affect the outcome of the case. Personal injury lawyers generally do not charge a fee up front. They are paid a percentage of the recovery when the case is over.
The early minutes and hours after an accident are crucial. A lawyer could advise you of what to do after a pedestrian accident in Cicero in order to secure your legal claim. Get in touch today for a free consultation.