What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in New York City?

Most people go their entire lives without a motor vehicle striking them while they travel on foot. Unfortunately, when these accidents happen, the resulting injuries are often devastating– pedestrians have little protection from a serious impact.

The steps you take after a pedestrian accident can have far-reaching consequences. What’s more, the strength of your potential legal claim could be impacted by even a minor mistake. The experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyers of Douglas & London can help hold a careless motorist accountable for your injuries. The following can protect your legal claim from the time an accident happens until you have the chance to speak with a prospective attorney.

Move out of the roadway

After an accident, pedestrians should move out of the roadway as soon as possible. The risk of being struck by a different vehicle remains a serious threat, so moving, if at all possible, is vital. Likewise, the motorist involved in the crash should move their vehicle out of the road as well. The only exception is if moving presents a risk of injuring the pedestrian or if the car is disabled.

Contact the police

Once out of the road, the law requires the parties to contact the police. While the police do not have to appear for every accident, a call to the police is mandatory following a collision with bodily injury. Not only should you contact law enforcement, but you must also remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. The only exception is if your injuries require immediate medical attention.

Once the police arrive, answer their questions about the crash. Do not discuss the accident with the motorist or anyone else present. In the days following the accident, contact the law enforcement agency involved in the accident and request a copy of the police report. If there is inaccurate information in the report, you have the right to request a correction. The New York City personal injury lawyers of Douglas & London can help with this process.

Seek medical attention

You should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If your injuries are severe, this should be your top priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is still important that you see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you seek medical treatment, the more likely you can obtain an early diagnosis and begin your recovery.

Moreover, some injuries only become apparent hours or days after the crash. By delaying medical care, these conditions have the potential to become much worse than they needed to be. This will cost you additional recovery time, but it could make the job of recovering compensation more difficult for your personal injury lawyer. Also, following a delay in medical treatment, the driver’s lawyer could claim your injuries occurred at some other time or are not as severe as you claim.

Document the scene

If you are able, you should document the scene of the accident right away. Photographic evidence is compelling at trial, and you only have a limited window of time to document the crash scene. Take photos of the area where you were hit and of the vehicle that struck you. Further, you should obtain the contact information of any independent witnesses you encounter. Their testimony could have a powerful impact on the jury, given that they do not have any ties to either party in the accident.

Contact us at Douglas & London

We have extensive experience seeking compensation on behalf of injured pedestrians in New York City. To discuss your case in detail, schedule a free consultation with us as soon as possible.