[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Colorado is a beautiful state filled with stunning sights and outdoor locations. Many people in Colorado put a significant emphasis on their health and wellness. Biking, hiking, jogging, and walking are popular activities statewide. Not to mention, there are many popular locations accessible via walking or biking.
With all of this pedestrian traffic, accidents can happen. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents have been steadily increasing over the last decade. In fact, in 2021, an AAA Colorado study estimated that pedestrian deaths on roadways have risen 89% since 2008.
If you were involved in a car accident as a pedestrian, you might be wondering what to do next. After all, you will want to protect your rights and seek any compensation you are legally entitled to. To do this, you will need to know what your rights actually are. Here, we will go over what you need to know as a pedestrian in Colorado. We have also included five steps you can take to ensure your rights are protected after a pedestrian automobile accident.
Hit by a Car in Colorado? Call Matlin Injury Law Now!
Are you the injured victim of a pedestrian automobile accident in Colorado? If so, you have certain legal rights, and a personal injury attorney can help you protect them. Don’t wait; contact Matlin Injury Law right away. The team at Matlin Injury Law is here to help injured pedestrian victims at every stage of their journey to recovery. We can help you get the compensation you deserve! Call today to learn more or schedule your free pedestrian accident consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call 303-777-1000
Tell us about your caseWhat to Do Immediately After Your Pedestrian Accident
Obviously, every accident will be different. While we can’t give you the medical or legal advice you really need in a blog, there are some common-sense things you can do to ensure that your rights will be protected after a pedestrian accident. Taking the correct steps after your accident may also help to ensure you get the compensation you need and the settlement you deserve. While all of these steps are important, they may need to be carried out differently, depending on your individual situation.
The First Five Steps to Take After Becoming the Victim of a Pedestrian Automobile Accident:
- Call 911 or Have Someone Call 911 On Your Behalf
- Accept the Ambulance Ride and Get Evaluated by a Doctor
- Gather Evidence and Get Witness Statements
- Call a Personal Injury Attorney Before Filing Claims or Saying Too Much
- Follow Your Doctor’s Advice and Attend All Future Wellness Appointments
Now, let’s break down each of these steps so that you have an in-depth understanding of what to do if you become the victim of a pedestrian auto accident in Colorado. Remember, your circumstances could vary, and each case is unique. Use common sense and stay safe.
Call 911, Seek Medical Care, and File a Police Report
The very first thing you should do if you were hit by a car as a pedestrian is to call 911. You have a right to file a police report on your accident. Be sure to include details on who hit you, what their license plate number was, and who was driving at the time of the accident. It is also important that you seek medical care from the paramedics who will inevitably arrive to help you. Police and first responders are there to ensure that public safety is upheld. This includes helping you stay safe and get medical care.
Your Health is the Most Important Thing
First responders and EMTs can provide medical care on the scene. If you believe you are severely injured, accept the ambulance ride and get evaluated at the hospital. Even if you do not feel like you have sustained any significant injuries, it is still very important to get evaluated by medical professionals.
Many bike or pedestrian accidents involve head, spine, and neck injuries. You could even be suffering from internal injuries. Moreover, some injuries take time to show symptoms. This is especially true if adrenaline is masking your pain or symptoms.
Your health and well-being are the number one things to worry about if you have been hit by an automobile. You can speak with the police and begin filing your report at the hospital if need be. In the meantime, you may want to consider calling someone you trust to help you gather evidence of the accident. This could be a friend, loved one, or trusted family member. That way, you can take care of your health while still getting pictures and evidence to support your claims.
File a Police Report and Speak With a Lawyer
Sometimes, victims are severely injured after being hit by an automobile. It could be that you are too hurt to worry about anything but getting to a hospital. If this is the case, focus on healing and recovery and let the police worry about the details of the vehicle and driver that hit you. If you aren’t sure what to do, call Matlin Injury Law. We can help you even if you are in the hospital. The main thing here is to get the police involved and make sure that your condition is stable. Your health is always the top priority!
Gather the Facts and Be Careful What You Say
Next, it may be smart to speak to any witnesses present at the time of your accident. Were you riding your bike with a friend when someone hit you? Make sure your friend is available to share their testimony with the police. Perhaps you were hit in a crosswalk and other drivers witnessed your accident. If possible, have the police speak with them as well.
Get First and Last Names, Email Addresses, and Phone Numbers
If possible, ask for the names and contact information of anyone at the scene who saw what happened. If you are unable to speak with witnesses due to any injuries, consider calling a trusted friend or loved one for help. When they arrive at the scene, you can ask them to talk to witnesses on your behalf.
Ask Witnesses to Report What They Saw to the Police
You can also ask any witnesses to report what they saw directly to the authorities. Try to take down witness email addresses, phone numbers, and any other pertinent information. You should also ask for the business card of the officer in charge on the scene. That way, you can access the full police report later on.
Look for Security Cameras or Consider Other Sources of Evidence
Consider what else you can use as evidence after your accident. Were you wearing a Go-Pro camera on your bike helmet? Did anyone nearby have a dash camera turned on? Were there any traffic cameras installed above you? If you were hit near a business location, you might want to ask the business owners if they had security cameras running. Any camera footage could become important evidence later on.
Keep Your Bike, Helmet, or the Clothes You Were Wearing
You should also keep your bicycle, helmet, broken phone, clothes, or items you had on you at the time of your accident. This can be used as evidence later as well. If you need to ride in an ambulance, the paramedics may have to cut your clothes off. If they do, ask them to put everything in a safe place. If your clothes were cut or ripped because of your accident, they could be used as evidence later if you file a lawsuit. Also, don’t throw away your damaged bicycle, cracked helmet, or anything else that could prove impact severity or driving speeds.
Document What Happened and Call a Lawyer
Understandably, emotions can run high at a time like this. You could be injured and in pain. You may have sustained a concussion. So, gathering evidence might not be your number one priority. Even if you can’t gather evidence right after your accident, there are still some things you can do.
Contact a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
It is important to keep calm and be careful what you do next. After all, personal injury cases can get complicated. You don’t want to say too much and hurt your chances of seeking the compensation you are entitled to. We recommend calling a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney will be able to give you legal advice and help you navigate the road ahead to ensure that you have the best chance of getting your claims paid and receiving the compensation owed to you.
Write Down the Details of Your Accident
It might be helpful to privately write down exactly what happened during your accident on a notepad. After a traumatic accident, key details could start to slip your mind. Human memory is less reliable than many people realize. Writing down what happened will give you a good reference point as you proceed with your case and discuss the details with an attorney.
- Where were you going when you got hit?
- Were you turning or in a crosswalk?
- Were you following pedestrian traffic laws?
- Was the light red or green, and did the driver disobey traffic laws?
- What was the weather like?
- What color, make, or model was the vehicle that hit you?
- Did the vehicle hesitate, and did the driver maintain a proper lookout?
- Was the driver looking at their phone or distracted?
- Was alcohol involved for either party?
- Were you on a bike, and if so, were you wearing a helmet?
All of these details could be important if you end up filing a lawsuit.
If you are injured to the point that you cannot use a writing utensil, consider using the text-to-speech feature on your mobile device. Or, have a trusted person write down the details of what happened. You can also share the details of your accident with your attorney. However, it is wise to be careful when talking to anyone else. Avoid posting statuses on social media or sharing photos. Until you know how your case will proceed, it may be best to keep things between you, your trusted loved ones, and your attorney.
Keep Things Between You and Your Attorney
After an accident of this kind, staying silent is often wise. As tempting as it might be, it’s best to avoid posting anything about your accident on social media for now. If your friends and family members are worried about you, have someone call them and let them know you are okay. Believe it or not, posting on social media can negatively impact the outcome of a future case.
You Are Not Obligated to Speak with Insurance Claims Adjusters
Additionally, be aware that you are not obligated to speak with the insurance company of the other party. If you are being harassed by insurance investigators, call an attorney for help. Your personal injury attorney can protect you from potential adverse legal consequences after your accident.
Attend All Follow-Up Appointments
After your pedestrian auto accident, follow your doctor’s orders. This could mean seeing a specialist after being discharged from the emergency room. Although emergency room doctors are often great at what they do, they may not be able to diagnose things like whiplash, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other issues that could arise from your traumatic accident. Rather, the doctors in the emergency room will likely be concerned with stabilizing your condition and making sure that you are on the road to recovery.
In all likelihood, your doctor will recommend that you see a specialist for your injuries. This specialist will be able to diagnose further issues. For example, whiplash could take up to 24 hours to present symptoms. You may already be out of the ER by the time whiplash symptoms show up. While broken bones will be visible on x-rays, it never hurts to get a second opinion from a physical therapist or other specialists.
For instance, you may need to see an orthopedic specialist after your accident as well. A chiropractor could help you as well. Chiropractors and orthopedic Specialists are not usually on staff in the emergency room. If you win your personal injury case, the expenses from these medical professionals could be covered in your settlement.
Your doctor will probably give you a treatment plan to follow. You may need to go to therapy appointments if you have emotional trauma from your accident. Physical therapy may be needed to help prevent musculoskeletal issues. Following your doctor’s orders will help you recover faster. Even if your treatment plan seems tedious, it is best to follow the advice of your medical practitioner. This may include taking pain medication, resting, staying off your feet, or taking time off work.
You may need to:
- See a chiropractor
- Attend physical therapy
- Take time off work
- Take prescribed medications
- Avoiding strenuous activity
- Go to follow-up appointments
- Have tests or scans done
Even if your treatment plan seems ineffective, continue following your doctor’s orders until you can come up with better alternatives together. Your physician can help you adjust your treatment plan until you find something that works. Understandably, serious injuries can cause feelings of despair, frustration, or hopelessness. Your lawyer can help you quantify personal distress damages. Severe pain from lingering injuries can even lead to depression. If you feel like you are developing depression symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. Be mindful of your mental state and practice self-care. At a time like this, rest and recovery are essential for healing.
Are you the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident in Colorado? Call our Personal Injury Firm for Help!
Recovering from the trauma caused by a pedestrian automobile accident can be difficult. Even after your injuries heal, your pain and suffering may extend to your daily life. Chronic pain, loss of the ability to earn income, and emotional trauma can impact you significantly. You may be entitled to compensation for your suffering. Contact our personal injury attorneys now to find out if you have a case and how we can help you get your life back.
At Matlin Injury Law in Parker, Colorado, we are here for pedestrian automobile accident victims. You can call our office at 720-464-3600 or email Brian for a consultation![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Call or text 303-777-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
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