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There are many steps that individuals must take following a pedestrian accident in Oak Lawn. It is best to retain the services of a knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney to advocate on your behalf and guide you on the steps to take following a collision. A seasoned attorney could explain the process for Oak Lawn pedestrian accident investigations as well as your legal options to recover compensation.
Even if a pedestrian is struck by a car that flees the scene, there are still several things which they can do. First, many intersections have cameras, so it may be possible to identify the vehicle through cameras at the intersection. There may be witnesses who obtained identifying information from the vehicle which fled. Even if all this investigation fails to reveal the identity of the motor vehicle, they will still have a claim for uninsured motorist benefits under the hit-and-run provision of their insurance company.
Anytime a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, it is always advisable to speak to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. There are many steps in investigations which are time-sensitive, with which a lawyer will be able to assist.
After a pedestrian accident, the police will come to the scene of the crash. It is unusual for someone to contact a lawyer before the police arrive. If this is the case, they should explain to the police how the accident occurred and how they were injured. It is not necessary to consult with a lawyer prior to speaking to the police at the scene of an accident.
However, if the police seek to speak with them afterward, it would be wise to speak to a lawyer first. There are many reasons that the police may speak to a pedestrian who was struck after an accident. But it is a good idea to consult with a lawyer prior to speaking to the police after a pedestrian accident.
Although the police typically do not witness an accident, they will write up a police report based on their investigation. The police report is very important in determining who was at fault in a pedestrian accident. While not determinative, a police report may influence the insurance company regarding their decision on liability.
A pedestrian should cooperate with the police and explain what happened that caused them to be struck. A police report can be beneficial, or it can be harmful in a pedestrian accident case.
There are many types of evidence that a pedestrian accident lawyer could gather following an accident. For example, the lawyer will review traffic control cameras at the intersection, which may have recorded a possible pedestrian accident. Even if the collision does not occur at an intersection, many stores, buildings, and homes have exterior video recording equipment.
Another item of evidence often overlooked is the data from the black box recorder on the vehicle. This will show when the driver applied their brakes as well as the speed they were traveling at the time of impact. This information can be vital in proving a liability case.
Additionally, if a lawyer is contacted soon enough after an accident, it may be possible to send an accident reconstruction expert to the scene who can examine the evidence, which may still be present from the pedestrian accident.
If a person is struck as a pedestrian, it is not advisable to speak with the insurance company for the other party. The insurance adjuster is looking out for the interests of the insurance company and the driver. Their job is not to pay claims but to save money. An insurance adjuster may ask a pedestrian, following an accident, certain questions that may end up hurting their case.
Before speaking to any insurance adjuster following a pedestrian accident, it is best to retain the services of a seasoned attorney.
After a pedestrian accident case, an experienced lawyer will be able to assist in completing a full investigation. There are many resources for evidence available. A pedestrian accident lawyer will be in the best position to know how to access all the possible evidence in the case. After a certain amount of time, evidence can no longer be recovered. For this reason, it is essential to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident. Schedule a consultation today to learn about Oak Lawn pedestrian accident investigations and how an attorney could help your case.