If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, the moments and days that follow can be overwhelming. It’s important to know what to do (and what not to do) to protect your legal rights and interests. Here are 9 things you should NOT do if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, as provided by Bojat Law group:
1. Don’t Leave the Scene of the Accident
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in most states. If you leave the scene of an accident before exchanging information with the other driver or speaking with the police, you could be subject to criminal penalties.
2. Don’t Fail to Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think you’re injured, seeking medical attention as soon as possible after an accident is essential. In some cases, injuries may not be immediately apparent following an accident. By failing to seek medical attention, you could jeopardize your health and miss out on valuable evidence that could be used to support your case.
3. Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company Before Speaking With a Lawyer
The insurance company is not your friend. Adjusters will often try to take advantage of pedestrian accident victims by pressuring them into giving recorded statements or signing away their rights to full compensation. Always speak with a lawyer before talking to an insurance company representative following an accident.
And if you want to ensure that you have professionals by your side, Bojat Law group is your friend in this case.
4. Don’t Sign Any Document Without Reading It Carefully
After an accident, the insurance company will likely try to get you to sign a settlement release that waives your right to seek additional compensation in the future. Don’t sign anything without reading it carefully and having your lawyer review it first.
5. Don’t Admit Guilt or Responsibility for the Accident
Even if you think you might have been partially at fault for an accident, don’t say so until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Any admission of guilt could jeopardize your chances of recovering full compensation for your injuries and damages.
6. Don’t Settle Without Consulting an Attorney
It’s never a good idea to settle your case without consulting an attorneys like Bojat Law group first. An experienced personal injury lawyer will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf and make sure that all of your legal rights are protected throughout the process.
7. Don’t Attempt to Negotiate Your Settlement
You might think that hiring a lawyer will just add another layer of expense between you and the insurance companies, but this simply isn’t true – contingency fee agreements mean that lawyers only get paid when they successfully recover money for their clients through either settlements or jury verdicts, so there’s no risk involved in enlisting professional legal help after being hit by a car while walking down the street.
Conclusion
Following a pedestrian accident, it’s important to know what steps to take (and which ones NOT to take) to protect your legal rights and interests. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in an accident like this, pay close attention and make sure you do all the steps.