If you get hit by a moving vehicle, you might wonder what will happen next. This blog talks about what to expect after being involved in a pedestrian accident, beginning with the scene of the accident and continuing through to medical treatment and how a pedestrian accident can change your life.
Pedestrians can suffer severe wounds when struck by a car, truck, or bus. A South Carolina pedestrian accident attorney can fight for you to get the compensation you deserve to rebuild your life.
At the Scene of the Pedestrian Accident
After getting hit by a motor vehicle, you might have catastrophic injuries. Some of your wounds might not develop symptoms right away. It is essential that you avoid moving because that could worsen injuries like spinal cord damage. Of course, you do not want to get hit by another car while lying in the street, so you will need to do what makes sense in your situation.
Have someone call 911. You will need immediate medical attention, and a police officer should come to the scene and write a crash report. Be sure to note the license plate, color, make, and model of the car in case the driver panics and flees the scene before the police arrive.
Say as little as possible at the scene. You will want to be mindful of the fact that your words can get taken out of context and used against you by the at-fault party in an attempt to blame you for the accident.
Immediate Medical Attention
When a person’s body gets hit by a car, there is no metal automobile frame around them for protection, which is why injuries can be devastating in pedestrian accidents. Also, the body can fly into the air and land, causing additional wounds.
Sometimes, the walker is in shock and does not feel the full extent of their injuries. Some injuries can take hours or days to develop symptoms, even though the individual might be experiencing a brain bleed or internal hemorrhaging in the abdomen. It is vital to get immediate medical attention and evaluation.
Follow-Up Medical Procedures
Depending on the type and severity of your wounds, you might need follow-up medical procedures after the initial medical crisis gets stabilized. Recuperating from pedestrian accident injuries could take months or longer. Some people never regain the complete measure of health they enjoyed before the accident.
Completing Prescribed Medical Treatment
The at-fault party or their insurance company will likely grasp at any available straw to try to decrease the amount they have to pay for your injuries and losses. A common tactic they use is to argue that they should not have to pay you as much money if you did not complete all of the medical treatment your doctor prescribed. Be sure to complete your treatment to remove the possibility of this argument.
How a Pedestrian Accident Can Change Your Life
A pedestrian who suffers catastrophic wounds, like traumatic brain injury or paralysis from spinal cord damage, might be faced with a “new normal.” They might never regain full function, strength, endurance, or range of motion. Some people spend the rest of their lives in long-term care facilities because they need daily assistance with medical treatments and personal care.
A South Carolina pedestrian accident attorney can answer your questions and handle your claim or lawsuit so that you can get the rest you need to get better. You can reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.