Helpful Tips for Pedestrians Injured by Collision in Pennsylvania
Between January 2018 and June 2019, approximately 163 Pennsylvania pedestrians suffered fatal injuries when they were struck by motor vehicles. Thankfully, many people survived similar incidents and were able to obtain emergency and follow-up care to help them fully recover as much as possible. Knowing what to do following a collision is the first step toward recovery, and getting a personal injury attorney involved in your case is an important part of the process.
Post-Accident Medical Attention Is Always a Top Priority
The scene of a pedestrian accident is often chaotic and stressful. For a victim who has survived their injuries, it is imperative to determine whether they can move to a safe location while waiting for police and other rescuers to arrive. Sadly, many Pennsylvania pedestrians have survived the initial blunt force trauma of a collision only to be struck again by another approaching vehicle while lying in the roadway. Remember that it’s best not to move if you suspect a spinal injury or have other noticeable injuries, such as a bone exposed through skin.
If your injuries have not impeded safe mobility, it’s always best to move to a nearby location that is out of the line of traffic. Rescuers who arrive by ambulance will conduct a preliminary assessment of your condition at the scene of an accident. Obtaining additional attention at a hospital should always be a top priority. The following list includes several reasons why you should go to the hospital even if you don’t think your injuries are life-threatening:
- Not all injuries are immediately apparent.
- Hospital staff can perform CAT scans and other tests.
- A hospital admission creates written documentation of a collision.
Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time that it struck you, you may suffer moderate injuries or be listed in critical or life-threatening condition when you arrive at a hospital. Emergency room physicians are trained to thoroughly assess a person’s medical condition following a motor vehicle crash. If you are showing symptoms of internal organ damage or a brain injury, the hospital is the best place to be. It’s also a good idea to go to a hospital for medical examination because it activates a paper trail or written documentation of the accident that resulted in your injuries.
It’s common for an Allentown personal injury attorney to receive phone calls in the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, even while a recovering victim is still in the hospital. It can be a tremendous help to discuss the events that led to a collision with someone who is well-versed in state laws regarding personal injury. Obtaining medical help means there will be written record available that can come in handy if you decide to ask an attorney to seek restitution on your behalf.
Exchange Information and Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
If you’re able to think and speak coherently after being struck by a motor vehicle, it’s important to obtain certain information from the driver of the car that hit you. For instance, you’ll want to record their name, mailing address and telephone number, as well as similar information regarding their insurance company. It’s also wise to note the vehicle’s license plate number and to ask the driver for vehicle registration information. Such information may be helpful in the weeks that follow a collision as you determine a best course of action to obtain medical treatment and other post-accident recovery care.
Taking photographs of the scene, including pictures of the vehicle that hit you, is helpful, especially if you plan to ask an Allentown personal injury attorney to pursue litigation. If your injuries prevent you from being able to take pictures, you can ask a witness or someone who later arrives at the scene to do it for you. Photographs should show vehicle damage, blood on concrete or grass, your bodily injuries, as well as the location of where you fell, especially if the impact of the crash caused you to be airborne before hitting the ground.
The Recovery Process Takes a Lot of Support
In reality, receiving first responder assistance and subsequent medical attention at a nearby hospital may be just the beginning of your road to recovery after suffering injury in a pedestrian accident. You might need surgery, physical therapy or daily living assistance as you recover from physical injuries. You’re also likely to experience severe emotional trauma if you’re struck by a car while traveling on foot. Such trauma can cause sleep or eating disturbances, mood swings or symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Resources Available to Help You After a Pedestrian Accident
In addition to physical and emotional damages, being involved in a collision can result in serious financial distress, as well. You deserve to receive any and all available care and treatment to help you achieve as full a recovery as possible. If you’re struggling emotionally after a collision, it’s a good idea to tap into local resources for added support, such as scheduling a meeting with a licensed counselor who is experienced in helping recovering accident victims.
Regarding financial crises, your injuries may make it impossible for you to return to work in the days or weeks that follow the accident. In fact, you may have suffered permanent disability that prevents you from ever returning to the workplace. Missing work for even a short amount of time can have a negative impact on your ability to make ends meet. There are support systems in place to assist you if you need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits or address other financial or legal issues.
It’s common to experience a wide range of emotions after suffering an injury in a pedestrian accident, especially if driver negligence was a direct cause of the damages that occurred. If a distracted driver or drunk driver hit you, you might experience feelings of frustration or anger, knowing that the collision may have been preventable were it not for the driver’s irresponsible behavior. Such incidents not only have immediate implications but often have long-term consequences, as well.
There is no specific, singular way to recover from a pedestrian collision. Your family members, close friends, medical team and others can provide much-needed encouragement and support as you identify your needs and try to cope, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out for assistance as needed. When a recovering accident victim decides to file a personal injury claim in a civil court, they are tasked with presenting evidence to show that the named defendant was negligent and that their negligence was a direct cause of the damages listed in the claim.
At Metzger & Kleiner, located in Lehigh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we are fully equipped and committed to helping you seek financial recovery for your losses when driver negligence has resulted in physical, emotional or economic damages. You can schedule a consultation by calling our Lehigh office at (610) 435-7400 or by calling our Philadelphia location at (215)-567-6616. Acting alongside experienced legal representation may help alleviate post-accident stress. We can do the legal work while you focus on healing, so reach out to us today.
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