What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident, remain calm, ensure everyone’s safety, call law enforcement, seek medical attention, collect information from the driver and witnesses, document the scene, consult a lawyer, and notify your insurance provider. Following these steps promptly can protect your legal rights, establish liability, and maximize the compensation you may be entitled to.
Being involved in a pedestrian accident is often overwhelming and can leave you unsure of what steps to take next.
From immediate medical needs to questions about liability and insurance, the aftermath can be confusing and stressful. Knowing how to respond can protect both your health and your legal rights.
This guide explains exactly what to do after a pedestrian accident, from gathering evidence to pursuing compensation, and why speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take.
What Is a Pedestrian Accident?
A pedestrian accident occurs when a person traveling on foot is struck by a moving vehicle, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle. These accidents are unfortunately common, especially in busy intersections, crosswalks, parking lots, and areas with heavy foot traffic.
Many pedestrians are injured each year due to negligence, distracted driving, speeding, or failure to yield the right of way.
Because an unprotected individual has no physical barrier against a vehicle, pedestrian injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Understanding how and why these incidents happen is the first step toward preventing them.
1. Remain Calm and Assess Injuries
In the immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to remain as calm as possible and check for injuries. Adrenaline may mask pain, so you may not feel the full extent of harm right away.
If you, the driver, or another injured pedestrian is unable to move, wait for emergency responders. Do not attempt to leave the accident scene until help arrives. Taking these steps immediately can protect your well-being and strengthen your potential injury claim later.
2. Call the Police and Obtain a Police Report
After ensuring safety, the next priority is to call 911 so law enforcement and medical personnel can respond. A police officer will create an official accident report documenting how the accident occurred, the parties involved, and any initial observations of fault.
This report serves as critical evidence in personal injury cases and can help prove negligence. Even if you think your injuries are minor, requesting a police report provides an objective record of the incident for possible future use.
3. Get the Driver’s Information – Do Not Discuss Fault
Exchange information with the driver of the vehicle, including name, contact details, driver’s license number, license plate, and car insurance information. It’s also a good idea to take a photo of their documents for accuracy.
However, do not discuss who was at fault or make any statements that could be interpreted as admitting liability. The fault of the driver, another party, or both will be determined later through investigation. Simply collect the information needed to file a claim.
4. Collect Contact Information From Witnesses
If anyone saw the accident occur, ask for their names and contact details as soon as possible. Witness statements can help you determine how the collision unfolded and whether the driver was negligent.
A neutral third-party account often makes all the difference in establishing liability. Pedestrian accident victims may later rely on these statements during settlement negotiations or in court.
Having independent witnesses strengthens your position if the at-fault driver disputes what happened.
5. Gather Evidence and Write Down Everything
Take photos or videos of the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, skid marks, traffic signals, and visible injuries. Make note of weather conditions, road hazards, or anything else that may have caused the pedestrian accident.
Evidence at the scene is often critical in proving fault and supporting your personal injury claim. It’s also wise to sit down and write a detailed account while events are fresh in your memory, as details may fade due to shock.
6. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel unhurt, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Serious injuries such as concussions, internal bleeding, or fractures may not be immediately obvious. Delaying care can worsen your condition and make it harder to link your injuries and damages to the accident.
A doctor’s evaluation provides critical medical documentation that supports your injury claim. Following up on prescribed care also shows you took your duty of care seriously in addressing your health after being hit by a car.
7. Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
After being struck by a car, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate your situation, explain your legal rights, and help you file a personal injury lawsuit if needed.
A skilled personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights, negotiate with insurers, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Do not face the aftermath of a serious accident alone; contact a professional for guidance.
8. Contact Insurance Companies To File a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Notify your car insurance provider as soon as you are able. You will also need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Because insurance policies are often complex, a car accident lawyer or pedestrian accident attorney can help you file correctly and avoid mistakes.
Do not provide recorded statements without legal advice. Having legal representation during this process can make all the difference in protecting your right to fair compensation.
9. Keep Records of Medical Bills and Lost Wages for the Insurance Claim
Carefully save all documentation related to your medical care and financial losses. This includes hospital bills, receipts for prescriptions, therapy costs, and notes from your employer confirming lost wages due to time off work.
These records will help you seek damages and strengthen your injury claim.
Keeping organized records allows your legal team to handle the situation effectively and ensures that pedestrian accident victims receive compensation for both immediate expenses and ongoing pain and suffering.
10. Let Your Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Handle the Case for You
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps, allow your attorneys to manage the legal process. Don’t take matters into your own hands.
Their combined experience in personal injury cases means they know how to deal with insurers, evaluate liability, and pursue maximum compensation.
Trust your legal team to handle the situation, whether through settlement negotiations or trial if required. By focusing on your recovery while your attorney advocates for your rights, you improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Pedestrian Vehicle Accident
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the injuries can be devastating. Because there is no protection against impact, even a low-speed collision may result in severe injuries that require long-term medical care. Some of the most common pedestrian injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord damage.
- Internal organ injuries.
- Cuts, lacerations, and bruising.
- Emotional trauma and psychological harm.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?
Many people worry about the expense of hiring legal help after being involved in the accident.
Fortunately, most pedestrian accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Instead, the lawyer is compensated only if they successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Their fees are typically deducted from the settlement before you receive your check, so no out-of-pocket money is needed from you. This arrangement ensures that anyone involved in a pedestrian accident has access to quality legal representation without financial barriers.
What Happens if You Hit a Pedestrian With Your Car?
Being involved in an auto pedestrian accident is a serious matter. If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle and you are determined to be the at-fault driver, you may face significant legal and financial consequences.
These can include liability for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In severe cases, criminal charges may also apply if the driver was impaired, reckless, or negligent.
Your car insurance may provide coverage, but policy limits often fall short of covering all injuries and damages. Because every serious accident is unique, outcomes depend on the evidence and the extent of harm caused to the pedestrian struck.
Who Is at Fault in Pedestrian Traffic Accidents?
Fault in pedestrian car accidents depends on who acted negligently and whether either party violated traffic laws.
While the driver of the vehicle is often responsible for causing the crash, there are situations where the pedestrian may share fault, such as crossing outside a crosswalk or entering traffic suddenly.
In some cases, both parties involved in the accident may be assigned partial liability. Ultimately, liability hinges on whether one party failed in their legal duty of care.
How Arizona Determines Fault in Pedestrian Accidents
Arizona follows a comparative negligence system. This means that fault is divided among the parties involved, and compensation is reduced by each party’s percentage of fault.
For example, if a pedestrian hit by a vehicle is found 20% responsible for causing the collision, their recovery is reduced by that amount. Even if the pedestrian struck shares some blame, they may still recover damages if the driver was primarily negligent.
What Happens in the Case of a Fatal Pedestrian Car Accident?
When a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver. These claims seek compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional loss of a loved one.
Fatal pedestrian accidents often involve complex investigations to determine liability, including reviewing traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports.
Because the stakes are so high, families benefit from legal guidance to hold negligent drivers accountable and to ensure justice is obtained for the tragic loss they’ve endured.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help When a Pedestrian Is Struck by a Vehicle
After being struck by a vehicle, accident victims face mounting medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. A pedestrian accident lawyer provides critical support by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and building a strong case for compensation.
They understand the laws governing pedestrian rights and driver responsibilities, allowing them to identify liability and pursue maximum recovery.
Lawyers also relieve victims from the stress of dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures, enabling them to focus on healing while their attorney fights for fair financial and emotional compensation.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Pedestrian Accident?
The time it takes to settle a pedestrian accident claim depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, and the willingness of insurers to negotiate.
Some cases may resolve in a matter of months, while others involving serious injuries or disputed fault can take over a year. Medical treatment often needs to be completed before final settlement amounts are determined, ensuring all future care is accounted for.
An experienced attorney works to move the process forward while protecting your right to fair compensation.
Involved in a Car Accident? Schedule a Free Consultation With The Sorenson Law Firm
If you’ve been involved in a car accident or harmed as a pedestrian in Arizona, choose The Sorenson Law Firm for dedicated, compassionate representation.
With over 100 years of combined experience and an AV-rated reputation for both professional ability and ethics, our team fights tirelessly for compensation on behalf of personal injury and wrongful death clients.
We’ll guide you through every phase, from case evaluation and evidence gathering to settlement negotiations and trial readiness, handling the legal complexity so you can focus on recovery.
Contact us online or call (480) 839-9500 today to learn how we can help protect your rights and ensure fair compensation.
Additional Resources
For additional information specific to Arizona residents, explore these helpful resources:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Arizona Department of Transportation
- Arizona Legislature Comparative Negligence
