St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

All of us are pedestrians at some time during the day, which also means we are at risk of pedestrian accidents and injuries on a daily basis. Pedestrian accidents with vehicles–as in, a vehicle striking and injuring or killing a pedestrian–can occur in many locations, including traffic intersections with or without crosswalks, parking lots, garages, and sidewalks that run along busy streets. Pedestrians are no match for a large car or truck in size, speed, or protection, so when a motor vehicle strikes them, they are likely to suffer serious injuries or death. Pedestrians have little protection from an impact, and they are directly exposed to the ground and to the vehicle striking them.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, hire the right legal assistance as soon as possible. At The Cagle Law Firm, you can work with a pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, with experience in settling and litigating pedestrian accident cases. They can assist you in recovering the monetary compensation you need to move forward after a serious injury.

Common Pedestrian Accidents Injuries

A car or truck driver who negligently causes a collision and strikes a pedestrian can cause catastrophic and deadly results. Those involved in pedestrian accidents can suffer injuries that may include:

• Lacerations and contusions
• Abrasions, scarring, or disfigurement
• Skull fractures and head trauma
• Soft tissue neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Death

If you suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident, immediately seek medical care for your injuries. This usually involves ambulance transport and seeking treatment at a local hospital emergency room. Once your medical treatment is underway, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you of your rights. A St. Louis pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate your claim and determine the next step in your case, including submitting a demand package to the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Hits You

Even if pedestrians take every safety measure by using crosswalks and following signals, they can still get hit by a car in an intersection. 

If a driver hits you because the driver ignored a stoplight, failed to yield, or made another mistake, take these next steps.

Move to safety

You don’t want to make the situation any worse than it already is. If you can do so safely, move out of the street and to the sidewalk to avoid further injury.

Assess Your Injuries

Are your injuries severe? Do you need immediate medical attention? If so, call an ambulance right away or ask someone nearby to make the call for you.

Call the Police 

The police are trained to respond to this type of accident. They will arrive on the scene and review the situation. Importantly, the police assist in securing the scene to keep you and others from further injury. They will also speak with bystanders to document the incident. The police might perform a sobriety test on the driver if they believe that person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They will write up an official police report detailing the incident, which you might use to support your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

See a doctor right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are life-threatening. After an accident, when adrenaline is running high, you might easily miss the signs of an injury. This is especially true with traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and muscle strains, which may take time for you to fully recognize the symptoms. 

Do not provide your medical records to any insurance carrier until you seek advice from an experienced attorney. An adjuster may go through your medical records and evaluate how long you waited to seek medical treatment, type of treatment, and your follow-up treatment. These in-depth evaluations are usually not done to fairly compensate for your injury but done in an attempt to reduce or devalue your claim. They might even go so far as to claim that your injuries were not even related to this accident.

Contact a Lawyer

After a serious accident like pedestrian/car accidents often are, getting legal help is extremely important. The injuries pedestrians can suffer when struck by a motor vehicle can cause significant damages. Recovering compensation on your own may be extremely difficult. To give injured pedestrians the best chance at recovering, a lawyer is often necessary. A lawyer can help guide them through the legal process, talk to insurance companies on their behalf, and, if needed, go to trial to help them receive the appropriate amount of compensation.

What Not to Do After an Accident

While it’s essential to understand what to do after being hit by a vehicle at a stoplight, there are also two important things to avoid.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do following an accident.

Don’t Apologize 

Of course, it is natural to say the words “I’m sorry” in response to an unfortunate situation, even if you know the driver is at fault. Remember that if a motor vehicle hit you at a stoplight and you apologize, the driver and the driver’s insurer could argue that you admitted fault and took responsibility for the accident. Remain silent and wait for the police to arrive.

Avoid Speaking with Insurance Companies 

After suffering injuries in a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will probably attempt to contact you and ask for your version of what happened. They may appear concerned about your condition, and you might feel tempted to provide the details for which they are asking. Unfortunately, these attempts to collect your statement can actually work against you. The insurance companies notoriously look for any way to discredit your version of the accident with the goal of reducing the amount of money they need to pay you. It’s best to avoid all calls from the insurance company and hire an attorney to communicate on your behalf.

A Pedestrian Lawyer in St. Louis Can Help

If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, the days afterward are likely going to feel a bit surreal and confusing. Between attending medical appointments, making arrangements regarding your work, and worrying about what is to come, the whole situation can overwhelm anyone. Once the insurance companies start to call about your claim, things become even more frustrating. You need to focus on your medical treatment and return attention to other aspects of your life rather than spend energy and time tied up with insurance adjusters. An attorney can help handle your claim so that you can focus on resting and recovering from your injuries.

Injuries caused by a pedestrian-vehicle accident can be life-changing, and you need someone who can help you recover much-needed compensation. Get a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, by calling us toll-free at (1-800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681 to discuss your situation.