Pedestrian accidents happen every year in Augusta, often leading to serious injuries and fatalities. Since Georgia is a fault-based accident state, victims of these collisions have the right to file an insurance or Augusta pedestrian accident lawsuit against the driver who hit them.
After a pedestrian accident, you can feel scared, confused, and overwhelmed. It can be very difficult to know what to do in these situations, but the steps you take could have a major impact on your future claim. If you are hit by a car while walking in Augusta, take the following steps to protect yourself and your safety.
#1: Assess Any Injuries
After a pedestrian accident, your safety is a top priority. Immediately after the accident, stay calm, move out of the road if you can, and try to determine if you have any severe injuries. While some injuries, like brain damage, do not show any apparent symptoms, others are obvious right away. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 or ask someone else to call 911 for you.
#2: Contact the Police
If you have not contacted the police already, call 911 as soon as you can. The responding officers will examine the scene of the accident and create an official report, which will serve as a valuable piece of evidence in your case. Emergency medical services will also attend the scene to check if you or anyone else has been injured.
#3: Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of whether you have obvious injuries or are in pain, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident. You may have underlying injuries or internal damage that could get worse without treatment. Seek medical care and save all records related to your injuries and the treatment that you receive.
#4: Get the Driver’s Information
If you can move around the scene of the accident without putting yourself in danger, you should try to collect the driver’s information. Ask for his or her name, contact details, driver’s license, and insurance information. You will need these details if you plan on filing a claim; if you cannot collect this information, you can usually find it in the police report.
#5: Document Evidence at the Scene
You should also take steps to collect as much evidence as possible. Take photographs and videos of your injuries, damage to any property, and the other driver’s vehicle. Make sure to capture the area around the collision, paying special attention to skid marks, debris, and traffic signs and signals. These photographs and videos could go a long way in proving the driver’s negligence.
If anyone saw the accident happen, approach them and ask for their contact information. These witnesses could testify in your case and help corroborate important facts, such as how and when the accident happened.
#6: Contact an Augusta Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Once you have received treatment for your injuries, contact a lawyer who specializes in pedestrian accident cases. Do not speak with the insurance company or the driver who caused your accident.
An Augusta pedestrian accident lawyer can protect your rights and recover the compensation that you deserve. As soon as possible following your collision, contact an attorney to discuss your case and initiate your Augusta accident claim.
