Few unexpected tragedies can match the trauma of a pedestrian accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in the United States in 2013, which equates to one accident-related pedestrian death every two hours. Another 150,000 pedestrians received treatment in emergency departments for non-fatal injuries.

No matter how safe you are as a pedestrian, you cannot control the actions of negligent, reckless and drunk drivers. If the worst happens and a car hits you, it is important that you understand what to do after the accident. Your actions will directly affect your ability to recover compensation in an injury claim.

Keep these four tips in mind:

Stay calm and get out of danger;
Call the police;
Collect the driver’s details, and take photographs;
And seek medical attention.

For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Mississippi, contact Morris Bart, LTD. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical expenses and non-economic damages. A Gulfport injury attorney from our firm will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim.

Here is a brief overview of how to act if you are the victim of a pedestrian accident:

Stay Calm and Get out of Danger

As City Lab explains, it is important to remain calm and avoid lashing out at the driver who hit you. If you take action against the driver, it may make you look bad when the police arrive, which will not help your case. You should also walk a safe distance from the road to prevent a subsequent accident.

Call the Police

Contact the police immediately. Even if you feel fine, you may have suffered an injury that takes several hours or days to manifest, so it is important that the police compile an accident report.

If you decide to make an injury claim against the at-fault driver or insurance company, the accident report will be important evidence. It will contain details about the cause of the crash, the people involved, injuries, property damage and other information.

Collect Driver’s Details, and Take Photographs

Write down all of the driver’s details including his or her name, phone number, address, insurance information and car registration. Take as many photographs of the scene as possible. These should show the positions of vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, property damage and injuries.

Seek Medical Attention

If you were injured at the scene, tell the police when you report the crash. Emergency medical responders should arrive to evaluate your condition.

You should also visit a doctor as soon as possible. Your injury attorney may use the doctor’s record to prove damages.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

If you were injured by a negligent motorist in Mississippi, contact a personal injury attorney in Gulfport from Morris Bart, LTD. We will handle the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovery.

Our firm has been representing the injured for more than 30 years. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.