The total number of pedestrian deaths by vehicles reached its highest number in decades in 2018. In one year alone, 6,227 pedestrians lost their lives from car accidents, which was a 4% increase from the previous year. It is also the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990, which means that everyone needs to take better care to prevent those numbers from getting any higher.
A pedestrian suffering injuries from an automobile is bad enough. However, it becomes even worse when the motorist decides to drive off following the collision. If you ever find yourself in this scenario, you want to follow some basic steps to ensure that you protect your health and your rights.
Seek medical assistance
The first thing you want to do is see a doctor. If a car struck you, then you may have gone unconscious, and you need to make sure you did not experience a concussion. As a result of the impact, you may not remember any details about the vehicle at this time, but do not worry about that immediately. You just need to get to the hospital to receive treatment.
Contact the police
It is critical to file a police report immediately following a hit and run. When you meet with the police, you should provide as many details as you can. It is all right if you do not remember everything. It is best to never speculate. If you cannot remember the color of the car, then do not guess. This police report will come in handy when you have to contact your insurance company.
Contact your insurance provider
Although you were a pedestrian, you still want to get in touch with your auto insurance provider. They may still be able to cover some of your medical expenses. From there, you want to seek out legal assistance because it may be possible to discover evidence that will help the police find the culprit.
