There were fewer vehicles on the road in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Local lockdowns and stay-at-home orders reduced traffic by 16.5 percent according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. This reduction did not have a similar effect on pedestrian accidents.
Unfortunately, fatal pedestrian accidents went up last year. Even more concerning is that the pedestrian accident rate in South Carolina appears to still be increasing. Despite this news, pedestrian safety advocates are working hard to make our state safer.
At Parker & Bain, LLC, our attorneys have experience helping the injured get the compensation they need after a pedestrian collision. If you are a pedestrian, and you find yourself in a devastating pedestrian accident, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
- Get Medical Attention – After a severe pedestrian accident, first responders may take you to the hospital to get your injuries treated. However, not all serious injuries are immediately apparent. It could take hours or days for certain injuries to present themselves. This means it is important to see a doctor, and get your injuries diagnosed as soon as possible.
- Listen to Your Doctor – The next important step after a pedestrian accident is to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. This plan will help you get better faster, but it is also important to any future court case. Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries to reduce your settlement. If they find that you have not been following the doctor’s orders, they may argue that you are not as injured as you claim.
- Gather Evidence – Always be sure to make a report to the police about your pedestrian accident. Police records are very important if you go to court. If you are able, take pictures of the accident scene with your phone. You may even wish to collect the contact information of any witnesses at the scene of the incident.
How Can an Attorney Help With My Pedestrian Accident?
As mentioned before, insurance companies often wish to reduce the settlement amounts claimed by accident victims. Due to this, it may be unwise to speak to an insurance company without proper legal counsel. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney has the tools to negotiate a fair settlement with any insurance company involved in your claim.
An attorney can also help you properly file your claim, collect evidence, gather witness testimony and investigate the incident. These tasks may be difficult for you to perform if you are recovering from an injury.
To learn more about what a pedestrian accident attorney can do for you, call (864) 489-8128 . The initial consultation is free and confidential, so there is no risk to you.