What to Do If You're Hit By a Car

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Pedestrian accidents in the Bronx and surrounding New York are often catastrophic. They can happen due to distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding or reckless driving. With little protection against the impact of a vehicle, and little time to get out of the way, pedestrians often sustain severe injuries. And following an accident, they may not be able to recall the important details that could help their claim.

In many cases, there are steps you can take after you've been hit by a car. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney at Giampa Law will handle the rest so you can focus on recovery. We'll gather the facts and build a strong case against the motorist and their insurance company. Contact us today.

Where did your pedestrian accident happen?

Where your pedestrian accident happened in New York City may influence how your respond, especially when seeking financial compensation for your injury-related expenses. Pedestrian accidents may occur in a:

• Crosswalk – Many pedestrian accidents occur while someone is crossing the street in a crosswalk. If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian crosswalk accident, the driver who caused the accident may have violated New York traffic laws, including running a red light, speeding through a stop sign or breaking another law.
• Intersection – Many pedestrian accidents in New York City occur in intersections. Your injury claim or lawsuit may be stronger if the at-fault driver violated any New York City traffic laws when they caused your pedestrian intersection accident.
• Parking lot – Many accidents involving pedestrians occur in parking lots and parking garages. Again, the circumstances of your pedestrian parking lot accident can have an influence on the outcome of your injury claim or legal case. This is especially true if the driver was speeding, texting, drunk or doing something else they should not have been doing at the time of your accident.
• Walking alongside a street – Many pedestrian accidents happen while someone’s walking alongside a street, including while getting out of a car or walking alongside a road for any reason.

Wherever your pedestrian accident took place, make sure you take steps right away to protect your health and your rights.

Steps you should take after being hit

If your injuries aren't too severe, there are immediate steps you can take in order to file a prompt claim:

• Call the police: Always call the police immediately. A detailed police report will document the facts, which is always beneficial to your claim.
• Take photos: Snapping pictures of the accident scene can help document important details in your claim. Also take pictures of any visible injuries.
• Exchange information with the driver: Remain calm and make sure you get the driver's insurance policy, license number, license plate, and contact information.
• Get eyewitness information: Having an eyewitness account to testify on your behalf will help prove that the motorist was at fault.
• Get medical attention: Injury symptoms may not be immediately apparent. Due to shock, you may not realize that you have a broken bone or other severe injury. Even if you feel OK, always seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment: Even if an EMT or another medical professional has already examined you, a doctor should take a second look. Many pedestrian accident injuries take several hours or days to develop. If you experience serious leg pain or any other discomfort, you may have sustained a serious or life-threatening injury.
• Follow your doctor’s advice: After you see a doctor, make sure you do exactly what they tell you to do. If you have a leg injury or broken bones and the doctor advises you to stay home and rest, take their advice. If you don’t, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might try to deny your injury claim on the grounds that you’re not actually hurt.
• Call a lawyer: The sooner you have a New York City pedestrian accident attorney investigating your case, the better.

In the case of a hit and run, it is best to get witness information immediately. If you're able to, you can snap a picture of the vehicle. Luckily, you may be covered by uninsured motorist insurance. If the at-fault driver is found, the driver's insurance is responsible for compensating your medical costs, loss of wages and suffering. Don't let them offer you a small settlement, let our trusted law firm uncover the full cost of your recovery.

Consult with our trusted law firm

If you have been injured after being hit by a car, you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to pursue your case. Why risk the financial burden of medical costs and loss of wages? You deserve better, and we will get results. With decades of experience, Giampa Law knows how to handle pedestrian accident cases and win. Discover what a dedicated New York pedestrian accident lawyer can do for you. Contact us at our Bronx office for a free consultation.