What Should I Do After I Am Injured?
1. Do not leave the location of the injury/accident.
2. Keep calm and ask for the help of others who might be available to assist you.
3. Call an ambulance, if necessary.
4. If you are injured on commercial property, ask to speak with a person in charge and fill out an incident report. Ask to get a copy of this report or take a picture of it with your cell phone.
5. Identify witnesses and get their names, addresses, phone numbers, and statements.
6. If you are able, take photographs of the scene, what caused your injury, and anything that might be relevant to the incident. Later, also take photos of your injuries.
7. Seek appropriate medical care.
8. Contact a personal injury law firm and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible
Who should I report the accident to?
Whether you were injured on private, public, or commercial property, you need to report your injury to the proper authorities immediately. This may include EMS, fire department, or the police to substantiate your claim. If you were injured on commercial property, you need to ask to speak to the owner, manager, or another person in charge and complete an incident report. Once the incident report is complete, ask for a copy or take a photo of it with your phone. Take your time and fill out the report as thoroughly as possible, and do not minimize your injuries. These early statements will be referred to later in your claim as evidence.
Going through the proper channels to report your incident helps document what happened, why it happened, how it happened, and the nature and extent of your injuries. It also helps prove who is negligent and needs to be held responsible. It will further serve to support the legitimacy of your claim and injuries later and preserve any evidence that is still available.
When should I contact an attorney?
After you have received appropriate medical care, you should schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you contact us, we will discuss with you all aspects of your incident and injuries and give you pertinent information and advice about making a claim. If you retain us to represent you, we will immediately conduct a thorough investigation to document the facts of what happened before any evidence is lost or destroyed. It will also prevent insurance company investigators and adjusters from contacting you directly to ask you questions and take recorded statements.
We have no shortage of people in and around the state who get around on foot. Whether people are walking to work, crossing a few blocks to grab some lunch, or heading from the parking lot to the grocery store, the last thing you expect is to get injured. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are more common than people think.
Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers want to help if you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligent or careless acts of another person. When you need a Cleveland pedestrian accident attorney, call us today, so we can get to work on securing the compensation you deserve.
A Vulnerable Group
Year after year, we are seeing more pedestrian fatalities. When we look at the statistics of total pedestrian fatalities (145) and injuries (thousands) for the latest reporting year in Ohio, something shocking – nearly every single pedestrian crash results in an injury or fatality.
Why is this?
Quite simply, pedestrians have no protection from the force of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds slamming into them. Even at slower speeds, a person can sustain serious injuries. It is important to note that pedestrians will face two injury-causing impacts – one with a vehicle and one with the ground. It is not uncommon to see the following injuries after a pedestrian accident:
· Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
· Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
· Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
· Broken or dislocated bones
· Severe lacerations or amputations
These injuries all require emergency medical care. In many cases, a victim will require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation before they can make a full recovery. In the worst-case scenario, they could be permanently disabled.
How will a pedestrian crash victim or their family support themselves if they are unable to work and earn an income?
Will insurance cover other hidden costs of a crash, things like in-home care and home or vehicle accommodations?
Many pedestrian crashes happen in areas where the pedestrian should have the right-of-way:
· Intersections
· Crosswalks
· Parking lots
Negligent drivers are the main danger facing pedestrians. Those who make the choice to drive while impaired, operating while distracted by their phones or other devices, or speeding can cause serious damage. Any driver who causes a pedestrian crash should be held responsible for their actions. A pedestrian crash victim and their family should not be placed into financial jeopardy due to the reckless behavior of someone else.
What An Attorney Can Do
· You should seek legal assistance in the aftermath of a pedestrian crash that was caused by another person’s negligence because you may be eligible for compensation. These incidents can lead to major medical bills, as well as other hidden costs, and we want to ensure you get what you deserve from insurance companies. This can include:
· Coverage of your medical bills
· Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
· Pain and suffering damages
· Loss of enjoyment of life damages
· Possible punitive damages against the person responsible
At Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers, we are ready to help when you need a Cleveland pedestrian accident attorney. You can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 888-710-0040.
Are pedestrian crashes really that common?
Pedestrians suffer from serious injuries each day in the US due to pedestrian crashes. In 2017, more than 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States in pedestrian crashes. Each year, approximately 129,000 people are hospitalized due to pedestrian incidents.
What happens if I get hit by a car in a parking lot?
Parking lots are an area where pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to vehicle crash injuries. This is the one area where pedestrians and vehicles regularly share the same space. Traffic is coming and going, and people are backing in and out of parking spaces. Even at slower speeds, a pedestrian can suffer serious injuries from a vehicle impact. Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely in parking lots and should always yield to pedestrians. If a driver is negligent, they can be held liable for parking lot crashes.
How can I get evidence from the scene if I had to go to the hospital?
The most important thing for a person to do in the aftermath of a pedestrian crash is to seek medical assistance for any injuries they have. However, it is also important to immediately gather evidence from the scene. Almost everyone has a phone that can take pictures and videos. Use your phone to snap photos of the scene, if you can. If your injuries prevent you from doing this, ask someone nearby to do so for you. Give that person your phone number and have them text you the photos. This has a few advantages. Not only do you have some evidence, but you also have the phone number of a potential witness to help your case.
Why do people keep telling me to not speak to the insurance companies?
We know that you want to trust the insurance companies. After all, their claims adjusters sound so nice. Stop, and do not speak to them. Let them know you have secured a Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyer to handle your case, and all questions should be directed to your attorney.
No insurance company is on your side unless you are calling to pay your bill. Their goal, and the goal of their adjusters, is to minimize the amount they pay you in a settlement. Remember, these are for-profit companies, not your friends.
What kind of damages can I expect to recover from my lawsuit?
Suppose you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian crash that was caused by another person’s negligence. In that case, your Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyer will be ready to step in. An investigation into the incident needs to be conducted immediately. The goal is to secure compensation for all of your injury-related expenses. This can include:
· Coverage of current and future medical expenses
· Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
· Coverage of physical therapy
· Pain and suffering damages
· Loss of enjoyment of life damages
· Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
Contact a personal injury law firm and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible.
