As a pedestrian, you stand little to no chance against the sheer mass and speed of a motor vehicle. This is why pedestrian accidents are associated with serious, if not fatal, injuries. If you have been made a victim of a pedestrian accident, read on to discover what steps you should take and how a seasoned Toronto pedestrian accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you attain justice.
How might I be injured as a pedestrian?
More often than not, a pedestrian accident occurs due to a motorist diverting from the rules and regulations of the road. Examples of such driver negligence include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A driver fails to judge a pedestrian’s intention to cross the road.
- A driver fails to see a pedestrian crossing the road at nighttime.
- A driver fails to see a pedestrian crossing the road with overgrown vegetation.
- A driver fails to see a pedestrian crossing due to speeding.
- A driver fails to see a pedestrian crossing due to texting while driving.
- A driver fails to see a pedestrian crossing due to ignoring traffic lights and signals.
In any of the above circumstances, a pedestrian may incur severe injuries. Common examples include lacerations, road rashes, broken bones, sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage, among other things.
What steps should I take after I am involved in a pedestrian accident?
You may be interested in filing a personal injury claim after your involvement in a pedestrian accident. This may just be the best option for receiving the financial compensation that you require to heal from your injuries and damages.
With this, you must fulfill the burden of proof and provide a sufficient amount of evidence that ties your injuries and damages directly to the negligence of another party. You can accomplish this by taking the below steps immediately after your pedestrian accident:
- Call the police: a law enforcement officer will dispatch an ambulance to the scene, all while conducting an official accident report.
- Take photos and videos: capture the scene, including your injuries, damages, and potential hazards.
- Collect contact information: request that other parties share their name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance policy number, etc.
- Gather witness statements: request that present witnesses recount the events of your accident, orally or in writing.
- Attend the ambulance: seek out the paramedics and EMTs that arrive at the scene, and be willing to submit to further testing in the emergency room.
- Retain the services of a competent Toronto auto accident lawyer: our team can help you further fulfill your burden of proof, including obtaining surveillance camera footage.
For more information, speak with Merricks Law Group, P.A. today. We await your phone call.
