Pedestrian accidents are serious situations for everyone involved. A collision with a pedestrian is substantially likely to lead to serious injuries which may create substantial medical bills, physical limitations that get in the way of work or daily function, and personal pain and suffering.
If you find yourself in such a situation, always call 911 and get as much information from the other parties and witnesses as possible before visiting your nearest emergency room. Once your injuries have been treated, you can pursue monetary compensation from the at-fault party, provided that you file your lawsuit within the window provided by the statute of limitations.
For Broward County pedestrian accident victims, the time is now to act. Pick up the phone today and call the dedicated Broward County pedestrian accident attorneys at The Carrion Law Firm at (954) 951-4828. By doing so, you may receive a free initial case assessment.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Broward County, FL
No one ever expects to get involved in a pedestrian accident when they walk out of their door in the morning. Our Broward County pedestrian accident attorneys have created the following list of helpful tips in case you ever find yourself in such an unfortunate situation.
Request Information from Driver
Next, if you are physically able, request information from the driver that is to blame for the accident. You may not necessarily need to speak to the driver to get the make and model of the vehicle or their license plate, but there is other information that is critical to your recovery, including the following.
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s contact information and address
- Driver’s license number and registration
- Driver’s insurance provider and policy number
Additionally, if it appears that the driver was driving as a part of their employment, this should also be noted. For example, if the driver that hit you was driving a company car or operating as a rideshare driver, this is important information to have, as it will impact how you go about securing your recovery.
Call 911
Officers called to the scene of a pedestrian accident will compile information that they will then submit in an official accident report. This detailed report will contain information on how the accident occurred. For instance, if the driver struck you in an intersection when you had the right-of-way, these facts would suggest that the driver was at fault for causing the collision.
Accident reports will contain other critical information that will help you in your insurance claim or lawsuit, such as the following:
- How the accident occurred (e.g., the driver ignored the crosswalk signal)
- The intersection where the pedestrian accident happened
- Any weather that would have affected the visibility of the driver or pedestrian
- Injuries you sustained
If you have access to any witnesses that offered to give you a statement, be sure to take their names and contact information. If you cannot, however, officers may take statements from eyewitnesses that may be included in their report. It is important that you make the call to emergency services as soon as possible so that eyewitnesses do not depart the scene before the officers arrive.
Seek Medical Attention
Your priority after a pedestrian accident should be to get yourself to safety and seek immediate medical attention. Explain how the accident occurred to the medical staff that treats you. It would also be wise to document all injuries that you sustained by storing medical records and taking photos of your injuries.
Having documentation of the extent of your injuries and your prognosis for recovery will be critical to have if you plan to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Get Legal Assistance
Next, you should bring your case to a Broward County pedestrian accident lawyer. You should always get your medical needs attended to first so that you prevent your condition from exacerbating and so that your attorney can use your medical records to estimate the potential value of your claim.
Reasons to Act Quickly on Your Broward County Pedestrian Accident Claim
Being hit by a car and suffering severe injuries is an experience that could leave you not only physically scarred and functionally limited but also emotionally traumatized. In this state, it may be difficult to focus your energy on litigation. That is why it is so necessary that you contact a Broward County pedestrian accident lawyer to help you through the initial stages of your claim.
The statute of limitations is the primary reason why a victim should be concerned about waiting months before pursuing their case. This law limits the amount of time that a victim is given to file a lawsuit in court. In Florida, the statute of limitations that pertains to pedestrian accident claims runs for four years from the date of the accident. This may seem like a long time, but preparing a lawsuit can take time, particularly in complex cases.
Broward County courts and courts throughout the State of Florida are rigid about meeting the statute of limitations. If you file your claim too late, you will likely be unable to pursue your case through the system or recover anything for your injuries.
While the filing deadline is the main reason to file your case early, there are other benefits for this course of action. Pursuing a lawsuit soon after the crash would make it easier to gather evidence and locate witnesses or parties to the accident. Filing earlier also likely means that the victim would receive the compensation that they are owed sooner rather than later, which can help with the immediate financial needs that the pedestrian accident injuries create.
Talk to a Broward County Pedestrian Accident Attorney About Your Case Today
To get your free first-time case assessment from our seasoned Broward County pedestrian accident lawyers, call The Carrion Law Firm today at (954) 951-4828.