What do you do if you are involved in a pedestrian accident?
It has been a trend for many years that as the weather warms up there are more pedestrians walking in the State of Indiana. As a result, there is also a rise in pedestrian accidents. Injuries to pedestrians that are caused by a car accident are often severe and require immediate medical attention. We’ll explain what you should do following a pedestrian accident below.
Get Medical Treatment
The first thing you should do after being involved in a pedestrian accident is present for medical treatment. It is likely that you were taken by ambulance to the emergency room for the initial treatment. The injuries are likely severe and will require continuous follow-up. It is important that you continue your care once released from the hospital. If you have not sought medical treatment, it is important that you present for care as soon as possible. Having a gap in treatment could damage your insurance claim.
What do I do if I don’t have health insurance?
If you do not have health insurance, there are options for you to be able to pay medical bills. Remember, just because someone else may be at fault for the injury does not mean that they are responsible for your bills immediately. If you can apply for State Insurance, we would suggest doing so and it is possible that if you were in the hospital, the staff there may have also applied for you already. If you are unable to apply for health insurance through an employer, spouse, or the State then there are other arrangements that can be made with the medical providers to keep the bills out of collection. Speak with your pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your options for getting medical treatment covered.
Obtain a Copy of the Police Report
At the accident scene, you were likely given a card from the local police department with a police report number on it for you to obtain the report. You will want to request a copy of the police report for your records. If there are any inconsistencies with the report, report that to your personal injury lawyer right away. It can be difficult to get a police report amended, but with the help of your personal injury lawyer, it can be a smoother process.
Who is at Fault for a Pedestrian vs. Car Accident?
Some pedestrian accidents are clear-cut and easily investigated. In some cases, there are discrepancies as to who is at fault, the car, or the pedestrian. In Indiana, a pedestrian must use the crosswalk to cross the street whenever they are available. Should a person cross the street and the “don’t walk” sign starts to flash, they have the right to finish crossing the street. It is important that if you are walking in an area without a crosswalk that you choose to cross the street in a well-lit area that allows you to check for traffic prior to crossing the street.
Vehicles have a duty to watch for pedestrians and children when approaching intersections and neighborhoods. Be sure to keep a watch in areas that are normally high traffic for pedestrians and/or children. You should be mindful of the areas that you are traveling in and be vigilant in watching your surroundings.
Reasons that someone may be responsible for a pedestrian accident could be:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to stop at a crosswalk
- Being a distracted driver
- Driving under the influence
- Crossing a roadway improperly
- Speeding
- Wearing dark-colored clothing while walking alongside a road
Indianapolis Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Our attorneys here at Tabor Law Firm are here to help. With over 100 years of experience combined, our attorneys are well equipped to assist you with your case. Being involved in an accident of any kind can be stressful and ominous. Let us take that burden off your shoulders. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, we are ready to discuss your case with you. Call us at (317) 236-9000 for a no-obligation-free consultation TODAY!