Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Burbank

If you have been in a pedestrian accident, the immediate aftermath can be scary. Whether you are the pedestrian who was injured, the driver who hit them, or a witness, you want to take immediate action to ensure everyone on the scene is safe. This is imperative for anyone around the scene of the accident. Pedestrians also need to take steps to care for their financial, physical, and emotional well-being after an accident. They cannot rely on witnesses or the driver to do those things.

Understanding the steps to take after a pedestrian accident in Burbank can simplify the process of getting monetary compensation after an injury. However, pedestrians are often unable to complete some or all of these steps because of their physical condition. In those instances, a hard-working pedestrian accident attorney could still help by collecting evidence and helping establish a case.

Determine If Anyone Is Injured and Contact First Responders

The first step after any accident is to determine if anyone has injuries. Burbank pedestrians who have been hit by a vehicle should stay calm and still while trying to assess injuries. Witnesses on the scene should refrain from moving victims, unless absolutely necessary, before determining if they are injured. These accidents have a high rate of spinal injuries, head injuries, and broken bones, so moving injured people could make the injuries worse or cause significant pain.

Provide First Aid

If there are injuries, people should render first aid if possible. If safe to do so, they should also move the victim out of the roadway and other potential danger. If not, they should call 911, wait for first responders, and try to keep oncoming traffic away from the victim.

Call an Ambulance

Even if there are no apparent injuries, it is crucial to call 911 so that the police and paramedics can get to the accident scene. The police need to investigate the circumstances of the accident. First responders can check for hidden injuries and provide information for follow-up care. Many injuries are not apparent at the scene, as shock and adrenaline can mask many of the symptoms of injuries.

Collect Information from the Driver and Witnesses

After a pedestrian crash, the Burbank driver must take some steps as well. They should provide their license information, insurance information, and license plate number. In some cases, the driver may try to flee the scene, but it is important to get their license plate number, if possible. While the police do not put much effort into tracking down vehicles in hit-and-run accidents without injuries, they do focus on tracking down drivers who hit pedestrians.

In addition to the driver’s information, a victim should get contact information for any witnesses. The witnesses can help substantiate a victim’s version of events after an accident. People who witness these accidents should give their information to the pedestrian or the police.

In many instances, a pedestrian’s injuries are so severe that they may be unable to collect information from the driver or witnesses. In those instances, an attorney may be able to gather witness names and other evidence to help prove the driver’s liability.

Obtain Evidence From the Accident

The next step to take is documenting circumstances that could have contributed to the Burbank pedestrian accident. It is equally important to document circumstances to disprove any false information by the other people involved in the accident.

Victims want to ensure they have evidence of any traffic signs, construction, or obstructions that could have blocked vision. If the weather conditions contributed to the accident, try to document that at the time of the wreck.

Many injured people do not think about keeping their clothing after an accident. This is particularly true if the clothing is removed or cut off by first responders or other medical personnel. However, keeping the clothing can help prove the speed of the impact and the severity of the injuries.

Consult an Attorney After a Burbank Pedestrian Crash

Talking to an attorney is one of the most critical steps to take after a pedestrian accident in Burbank. When two drivers get into an accident, their insurance companies often battle issues of fault and liability. Pedestrians may be up against the driver’s insurance company with no representation of their own. Please schedule a consultation with an attorney to find out how they can help you.