Being involved in an accident is terrifying and can lead to serious injury, and as a pedestrian, it can be especially painful, if not life-threatening. Being completely exposed upon impact can lead to severe injuries, and if the person is lucky not to be severely injured, there will more than likely be some sort of injury that needs care. As the adrenaline from the accident rushes over you, keeping a calm head and ensuring proper care and treatment can mean the difference between life and death, as well as keeping you from getting in legal trouble.
Here’s what to do after the accident
- Breathe. All too often, we hear stories of people who panic and do something rash in the heat of the moment. Taking a moment and trying to calm yourself down will make sure that everyone around you does not get harmed further.
- Assess the situation. Identify if you are hurt, and if so, where? Adrenaline and shock can make it seem like you are fine when in reality, you are far from it. Taking a moment to collect yourself and see what is damaged can prevent a bad situation from turning worse. Also, take a moment to see if the accident was minor. If so, it is best to move off to the side to reduce danger and confusion. But do not move the vehicle or the pedestrian involved if the accident was more serious.
- Call 911. This may be cliché, but this is most likely the most important step. Law enforcement will assist in the legal ramifications of the incident, and if there are injuries having medical attention is crucial. It is important to do this quickly, as the sooner you make the call, the sooner the injured parties can get help.
- Call your insurance company. Getting your insurance company on the phone, whether you are at fault or a victim, will help get you through this process smoothly.
If you were involved in an accident but don’t think you were hurt, it is still important to get medical attention. There are instances when something is severely damaged that you do not feel right away, and finding out what is wrong will be vital to your insurance claim as well as your long-term health. If you can, see a doctor or visit an urgent care center to see if you are ok. This process is also important for insurance companies; if they see that too much time has passed since the accident and the onset of the injury, they may be skeptical and not be willing to pay. Not all pain is so bad that you cannot move.
Our body exhibits pain symptoms in various ways; below are some things to look for if you think you may be hurt.
- General pain. This could be a sharp or dull pain and is the most common. Most people have felt this before, and you will clearly know that something is wrong.
- Numbness. You may think you are fine, but when you take a moment to breathe, you may realize that something feels numb. This is a telltale sign that there is something wrong internally, and you should seek medical attention.
- Dizziness. When you are dizzy after an accident, it is typically associated with head trauma. It is essential that you seek medical care as soon as possible for head injuries, as more often than not, they are far more severe than you may realize.
It is also important to remember that if you see someone who has been injured in an accident, you should help them only under certain circumstances. Ideally, someone trained in first aid or CPR should assist in stabilizing the individual. Failure to receive permission from the person before helping them or being properly trained could result in massive legal action against you. This is not to say not to help an injured person, rather confirm with them that they are comfortable receiving help. Do not try any intensive medical procedures, leave that to the professionals, but assisting them in movement or helping to stop bleeding are some examples that most people are capable of.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, they may be able to receive a pedestrian injury settlement. This is part of the reason it is important to make sure that everything is done in the proper manner. Please, do not hesitate to contact Brad Johnson Injury Law if you need legal help for your case. Remember, your well-being is the number one priority in an accident, and material things can be replaced, but a life cannot.