Every day in Colorado, people are struck and injured in pedestrian accidents while walking along the road and crossing intersections. The accidents are often caused by distracted drivers and drivers who are not keeping a lookout for people on foot. Many pedestrian accidents occur at night and they happen more often on Fridays and Saturdays. You cannot prevent someone from driving distracted or speeding.
If you have been hit by a car while walking, you may be struggling to recover from your injuries and unsure how to you will pay your medical bills and loss of income from missed work. There are certain steps to take to protect your legal rights to hold the driver responsible. If you are considering legal action against the driver who hit you, the Denver & Colorado pedestrian accident lawyers of The Wilhite Law Firm are ready to fight for you.
- Don’t let the driver leave
One of the biggest mistakes a pedestrian hit by a car can make is to let the driver leave the scene. If you were hit by a car in a crosswalk or hit on the sidewalk, make sure the driver who hit you remains on the scene while you call the police. If they try to leave, take down their license plate number and the make, model, and color of their car so the police can identify the hit-and-run driver later. Don’t let a driver talk you out of calling the police. - Call 911
If you are injured and need to go to the emergency room, ask the dispatcher for an ambulance. Even if you do not need to be rushed to the hospital, make sure the dispatcher sends the police to the scene. The police will interview you, the driver and any witnesses about what happened, gather evidence, and write up an accident report. The police report will be important to any injury claim that you file later. - Get the driver’s license and insurance information
While waiting for the police to arrive, exchange license and insurance information with the driver. Write down the information or use your phone camera to take a photo of the driver’s license and insurance card. If the driver refuses to give you this information, let the police know and the officer will get it for you.The most likely way for an injured pedestrian to recover compensation is through the driver’s automobile liability insurance. - Gather evidence
Substantial evidence is key to any successful personal injury claim. In addition to the police report, you will want to take pictures of the scene of the accident right away, including your injuries, the driver’s vehicle, any skid marks or other visual markers of the accident, and the road itself. This is also the time to identify witnesses and get their contact information and get statements if you see any bystanders who are willing to talk to you. - Seek medical attention
Once you have talked to the police and gathered your evidence, you and the driver are free to leave the scene of the accident. Even if you think you are uninjured, you should go to the doctor and have a medical evaluation. A doctor will determine the extent of your injuries and offer treatment. Seeing a doctor will also help to document your injuries, something you will need to do to pursue compensation for your medical bills in a personal injury claim. Be sure to tell your doctor exactly what happened and save all documentation and receipts. - Contact the driver’s insurance company
After you have been cared for by a doctor, you will want to start the insurance claims process. The driver’s insurance company may press you for a full account of what happened, but all you have to tell them is who hit you, when, and where, along with the date and time. Remember that the insurance company’s goal is to minimize any amount the company pays in claims. They will not have your best interests at heart. You can argue your point further when you have consulted with a lawyer and when you have a copy of the police report. - Understand your legal options
You should have an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer review the details of the accident and explain your legal options and whether you have a valid injury claim. Whether or not you file a lawsuit against the driver who hit you, an experienced lawyer can negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf and increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement. An experienced lawyer can determine the types of damages that are appropriate to seek based on the details of your pedestrian accident. They may include compensation for:- Medical bills
- Property damage as a result of the accident
- Lost wages due to time off work
- Future lost income
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Other miscellaneous costs
- Wrongful death, if your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident
A settlement or court judgment can help you pay off your medical debts and regain financial security after a serious pedestrian accident injury.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Denver Today
Recovering from a pedestrian accident can be a difficult time in your life. Your injuries can be extremely painful, and your finances may have taken a hit as well. You don’t have to face the future alone. If your pedestrian accident occurred in Denver, Colorado Springs or elsewhere in Colorado, the personal injury lawyers of The Wilhite Law Firm can help guide you through this process of pursuing just compensation.
The Wilhite Law Firm will work relentlessly to hold accountable the driver who injured you and his or her insurance company. Our Denver & Colorado pedestrian accident lawyers have years of experience fighting for justice for people who have been injured by the carelessness or negligence of others. We are proud of the Heritage of Justice that our attorneys have established in more than 40 years of helping Coloradans. For more information on how we can help you with your personal injury claim, contact us now.
