What To Do If You Get Hit By A Car
Attorney John S. Williams explains what you need to know
New Orleans has a lot of foot traffic, and as a result, pedestrian accidents have become an all too common occurrence here. From bicycle accidents to car accidents involving pedestrians, knowing what to do when you get hit by a car can be confusing and overwhelming.
When you’ve been injured after getting hit by a car, dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be even more frustrating. The insurance adjuster assigned to handle your claim may question the severity of your injuries or try to say the accident was partially your fault. Considering the state’s comparative fault law, any negligence attributed to you for the accident will reduce the amount of compensation you’re able to recover by the same percentage of fault you’re assigned for the accident. In other words, the more blame you take, the less money you get.
While some injury claims are straightforward and go through smoothly without pushback from the insurance company, others may require the knowledge and expertise of an experienced car accident lawyer.
If you were hit by a car and injured, call The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC right away. At no cost, we can give you a free consultation and let you know if we can help with your case. Attorney John S. Williams is an aggressive advocate for the injured who treats clients like family and always looks out for their best interests. Whether it’s through a negotiated settlement or by way of a court verdict, he will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
What do you do when you get hit by a car?
Whether you are a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, a crossing guard hit by a car, or a bicyclist who was hit, you should:
- Seek immediate medical attention. If you end up unconscious or unable to physically call for an ambulance, the driver of the vehicle that struck you is required to help you get assistance. If you are able to call 911, do so right away and let a paramedic or EMT evaluate you at the scene of the crash. Even if you don’t feel injured, adrenaline could be masking any pain or symptoms you’d normally be experiencing.
- Call the police. An investigating officer will respond to the crash scene to assess the situation, ask questions, and then later generate a police accident report. This is often a critical piece of evidence when trying to determine liability, as the officer will include who they believe is at-fault for the accident in the accident report.
- Be careful what you say. While you may be angry and frustrated that you were hit by a car, do not get into an argument with the driver who hit you or discuss the accident with them at the crash scene. Other than getting the driver’s name, address, phone number, license number, license plate number and insurance information, you do not need to interact with them any further. Be truthful with the police but try to stay with the strict facts of what you know. For example, “I was in the crosswalk and was hit by a car.”
- Notify your insurance company. Contact your insurance company to let them know what happened, but again, stick to the basic facts of what happened. Anything you say to the insurance company can potentially be used against you. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company calls, you are under no obligation to give them a statement or discuss compensation without first consulting with an attorney.
- Call a car accident lawyer. A good way to know your rights and understand what options are available to you is to let an attorney review the details of your case during a free consultation. A lawyer can manage every aspect of your case, from communicating with the insurance company to calculating the true cost of your accident-related expenses and negotiating for a fair settlement.
When you get hit by a car, your body often absorbs the full force of the impact. This can result in severe and debilitating injuries, such as a concussion, broken bones, a painful back injury, and more.
What’s the average payout? That’s difficult to answer. How much money you’ll be able to recover from a settlement or verdict will depend heavily on the specific details of your case. In general, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, replacement services, pain and suffering, and other possible damages. If a loved one was killed in a fatal accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Get maximum compensation with help from our law firm
Even if your case seems straightforward, the insurance company might give you a problem when it comes time to discuss compensation. Remember, the insurance company is a business, and the less they have to pay you for your accident, the more they can keep for themselves. One of the best ways to avoid leaving the money on the table is hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Attorney John S. Williams has the knowledge and experience to get you every dollar you deserve. He will keep your best interests at heart and always fights for what’s right, what’s fair and what’s just. If you were struck by a car, we can help.
Contact us today to find out more.