Pedestrian fatalities decreased slightly from 2016 (6,080) to 2017 (5,977). On average, a pedestrian died in a vehicle-pedestrian accident every 88 minutes during 2017. Thousands of people are injured in pedestrian accidents each year. Because a traffic accident can result in catastrophic injuries for a pedestrian, it is helpful to know what to do if you are involved in a pedestrian accident. If you are unsure of the steps to take to protect your legal rights, you can always contact a Tennessee pedestrian accident attorney for more information.
Five Steps to Take After a Tennessee Pedestrian Accident
1. Contact the Police Immediately
Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical services. It is always a good idea to be checked by medical professionals to determine the extent of your injuries and document your injuries for an accident claim. It is always best to have an official accident report to present to the insurance company when filing an injury claim.
2. Ask for Eyewitness Information
If possible, ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact information at the accident scene. Even though pedestrians have the right of way at intersections and driveways, an insurance company may deny liability. Therefore, eyewitness testimony can be extremely helpful in establishing fault for a pedestrian-vehicle accident.
3. Document Your Injuries and Recovery
Keep copies of all records pertaining to your injuries and your recovery for an accident claim. If possible, take photographs of your injuries throughout your recovery process to document the severity of the injuries. It can be helpful to have photographs of your injuries if you file a lawsuit. Basically, photographs help jurors understand the extent of your injuries. You may also want to document your recovery by keeping daily notes about your pain level and struggles to perform daily tasks.
4. Document Your Financial Losses
Keep detailed records of your financial losses related to the pedestrian accident. Financial losses include medical bills, lost income, personal care, travel expenses, medications, medical equipment, help with household chores, and other out-of-pocket costs. Keeping receipts, copies of bills, and other evidence of financial losses increases your chance of recovering full compensation for your claim. Simply, keep good records and notes to improve the evidence to use regarding damages.
5. Contact a Tennessee Pedestrian Accident Attorney
As soon as possible after your accident, contact a Tennessee pedestrian accident attorney to discuss filing an insurance claim. Pedestrians often sustain severe and life-threatening injuries in a vehicle accident. In some cases, an individual may sustain a permanent impairment or disability that results in ongoing medical care and loss of income. Getting the right attorney helps you recover as much as possible.
A pedestrian is entitled to recover compensation for injuries and damages if the driver is at-fault for the accident. However, pedestrians do not always have the right of way. In many cases, pedestrians must take reasonable care when crossing a road to avoid an accident. Basically, an insurance company may argue that you are partially at fault for your injuries because you did not use reasonable care to avoid a pedestrian-vehicle accident. Regardless, having the right attorney on your side makes a huge difference.
Contact our Tennessee pedestrian accident attorneys at Cummings Law today to learn about your legal rights. Our Tennessee pedestrian accident attorneys can help you fight allegations of comparative fault that could greatly reduce the compensation you might receive for a pedestrian accident claim. We can also protect you from this and other tactics an insurance company may take to deny or undervalue your claim. Simply, the key is to contact the right attorney.
Posted in: Pedestrian Accident