If you live in Los Angeles, you know that the city roads are always busy and usually unsafe for pedestrians. When you are walking on a street, you are more at risk of suffering severe injuries in a car accident compared to someone who is in the vehicle. Expectedly, pedestrians often suffer the consequences of negligent driving and speeding. If you were hurt in such a mishap, you need to seek advice from a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney. Below are some steps you should take immediately.
- Start by calling 911: Even if you don’t feel pain and discomfort right after the crash, you need to call 911 and seek medical evaluation. Remember your medical reports are critical for filing the claim and seeking compensation from the party at fault. If you don’t need immediate care, check with a qualified physician on the same day.
- Report the accident: You should call the local police from the accident scene and report the incident. Make sure you are at the site until an officer comes for an investigation. Share all you know and remember about the mishap, but don’t exaggerate anything.
- Call a lawyer: Find a local attorney specializing in personal injury law and ensure you don’t miss out on checking their profile to know whether they have handled pedestrian lawsuits. Meeting the attorney will usually not cost a penny, and you can get a free case evaluation.
- Document the scene: Take pictures of your injuries and everything else, including vehicles and surroundings. Also, take contact details of all people at the scene, and you can always contact the witnesses later to get testimonies.
Should you hire an attorney?
The short answer is yes. Hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer only makes things easy for you, especially when recovering from injuries. They will investigate further to find fault, establish liability, and gather evidence from various sources. Your attorney is also responsible for ensuring there are no lapses in filing the insurance claim and will deal with the insurance adjuster for you. If the case goes to court, they will complete the due legal process and represent you before the jury.
If the cost of lawyering up is your concern, you will be happy to know that lawyers take pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee, and unless you recover money, the attorney cannot demand payment. You can find listings online or ask around for the best-rated injury lawyers in LA.
