With its gorgeous weather year-round, Sarasota is a pedestrian paradise. People love to walk for recreation and transportation. However, with its booming population of out-of-state transplants and plenty of visitors, drivers can be distracted. The risk of pedestrian accidents is high, and so is the risk of injuries for those involved.
What To Do On the Scene of a Pedestrian Accident
It can be challenging to stay calm in an accident, but it is essential to try. Pedestrians often sustain severe injuries when hit by a car. Staying still while determining if you have injuries is essential, as moving can worsen some injuries. Here are some crucial steps to take after an accident as a Sarasota pedestrian:
Call For Help
If you do not think you have been severely hurt, try to move to safety and call 911. Ask them to dispatch emergency medical help and the police.
Gather Information
Collect the driver’s information, their license, and insurance. If you are injured, wait for the first responders to arrive. If the driver flees the scene, try to get their license plate number or other identifying information—like the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Do not put yourself in danger to get the information—the most essential thing is to stay safe.
Take Photos
If you are in the condition to do so, take photos at the scene. You want photos of the vehicle that hit you, the surrounding conditions, and your injuries. Many pedestrians are not in physical shape to get those pictures, so see if a bystander will take the photos for you and have them email or text you before you leave the scene.
What Not To Do
When a driver hits a pedestrian, they may feel terrible and stumble over themselves to apologize. Your instinct may be to tell them everything is fine and to take some of the blame for the accident to help them feel better. Avoid those instincts. Stick to the facts in your answers to the other driver, any bystanders, and the police.
Preserve Evidence After the Scene
In a multi-vehicle accident, the best evidence of the accident is the vehicles themselves. Your body may be that evidence for a pedestrian, but you cannot delay medical treatment or healing to preserve that proof. Take photos documenting your injuries. Photos taken the day or two following an accident often highlight bruises, swelling, and other injuries, unlike those taken on the scene.
You also want to preserve the clothes and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident. The color and condition of the clothing can help substantiate your version of events. In addition, if the case has to go before a jury, seeing torn, scraped, and often bloody clothes can help the jury understand the extent of your injuries.
You also want to write down or dictate what happened at the time of the pedestrian accident in Sarasota. You may be dazed and confused, so remembering details can be complex. Getting down to the bare bones of the accident can help you remember events.
Talk to a Sarasota Attorney To Understand the Steps To Take After Your Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians are often at a significant disadvantage after an accident. Not only are your injuries much more likely to be severe, but drivers often have their insurance companies negotiating on their behalf. They may even reach out with an early settlement offer to get you to settle before you even know the full extent of your injuries or what recovery will entail.
Talk to an understanding attorney from Dannheiser Injury Law. We are a father-son team with decades of experience helping those who have been injured. We are here 24/7 for our clients, and our goal is to build a personal relationship to help you recover the total value for your injuries, damages, and lawsuits. Schedule a consultation to learn more about steps to take after a pedestrian accident in Sarasota.
