I Was Hit By A Vehicle. What Do I Do Now?
Any kind of auto accident in Florida can impact your life in a huge way, leaving you struggling to recover physically as well as emotionally. It can also leave you struggling financially, as you try to pay medical bills even while missing work due to your injuries. And if you're a pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle, your injuries may be even more severe.
But just what are your rights, and what should you do after the accident occurs? If you're in a position where you're trying to heal and recover after an accident, knowing what to do is important. Here's a breakdown of some main things to understand and think about.
Seeking Compensation
The bottom line is that if your accident was caused by someone else, you likely have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. And for pedestrians hit by a vehicle, the odds are very high that you have the right to do so.
Since pedestrians have the right of way in most situations, only those who are violating traffic laws or acted recklessly themselves will be unable to file a claim and seek restitution.
And seeking compensation is important. Consider the high financial impact an accident can have on you:
• Medical bills
• Future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future lost wages
• Inability to maintain your current level of income for the future
• Pain and suffering
• And more
If you're injured, you could be left struggling financially. And if the accident was caused by someone else, you shouldn't have to shoulder that burden on your own. Because of this, seeking restitution makes sense for those injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida.
Fault In A Pedestrian Accident
In any kind of Florida auto accident, seeking compensation requires that you are able to show that the other party is responsible, and that they acted in a negligent or recklessly. In pedestrian accidents this can include things like:
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield right of way
• Drunk driving
It's important to note that just being a pedestrian may not be enough to ensure you get compensation - if you cross the street in an unsafe manner, for example, you could be found to have been reckless as well. Your lawyer will be able to review your case and determine what your rights are. However, in most instances those pedestrians who are involved in these accidents will likely have the grounds to seek restitution.
What Should You Do?
So what do you do if you're involved in an accident of this kind? There are a few steps to keep in mind:
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less likely it is that your injuries will be connected to the accident and thus, the harder it is to get you the compensation you really deserve.
• Avoid talking to the other side or accepting settlements until you speak to an attorney. Lowball settlement offers are common, and so are other tactics that can be used to try to force you out of getting what you're owed.
• Keep records of everything. This includes your medical bills, notes of any days or hours you miss from work, and even a log of issues you're having at home such as back pain or trouble sleeping. The more info you have, the more likely you can prove your case.
• Contact an attorney as soon as you can, as well. Your lawyer will stand up to the other side and make sure you aren't pushed around or bullied. They'll fight for your rights and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
A pedestrian accident can seriously injure you and leave you struggling physically and financially.
The steps above can help make sure that your lawyer gets you what you deserve so you can move on and heal.
