A Pedestrian Ran in Front of My Car – What Should I Do?

“Help, a pedestrian ran in front of my car. What should I do?”

Every year, around 6,000 people die in the US when they are run over by a vehicle. When a vehicle hits a person at any speed, injuries are likely. But what should you do if you’re the driver in a pedestrian accident?

Here’s what to do if you’re involved in a pedestrian vehicle accident.

Stay Calm

The first thing that you need to do is to ensure you stay calm. Take deep breaths and allow the oxygen to get to your brain.

Allowing yourself to get worked up will mean that you won’t be able to address the situation in the best way possible. You’ll need to be able to focus and you won’t be able to do this if you’re panicking.

Stay at the scene of the accident. If you don’t, it will be considered to be a hit and run accident.

Get Medical Help

Whether or not the pedestrian appears to have sustained injuries, you should get medical help for them and yourself. After such an accident, it’s not uncommon for people to be in a state of shock. This can mask out any pain.

Getting yourself checked over by a medic is essential so call for an ambulance.

Inform the Police

You will need to contact the police and let them know about the accident. They will want to come out and investigate. Answer all of their questions as truthfully as possible.

Exchange Details

While you’re still at the scene of the accident, exchange details with the pedestrian and get the details of any witnesses.

Avoid saying anything that could be perceived as you taking responsibility for the accident. This includes saying that you feel guilty or apologizing.

Avoid talking for too long with the pedestrian or anyone that they’re with.

Gather Evidence

It may be useful for you to take some photos of the scene of the accident and any damage to your vehicle. This may be useful for your insurance company when it comes to investigating the auto pedestrian accident.

Inform Your Insurance Company and Hire a Lawyer

At the earliest possible opportunity, get in touch with your insurance company and report the accident. They’ll want to investigate the event for themselves.

You may also want to hire a lawyer too and tell them I hit a pedestrian with my car. This is advisable whether you were at fault or not.

A Pedestrian Ran in Front of My Car

In summary, if you find yourself thinking, “a pedestrian ran out in front of my car,” you should stay calm and call emergency services. Get medical help for the pedestrian, and yourself if you need it. Exchange details but don’t admit responsibility. Speak with the police and answer questions truthfully.

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