Road safety isn’t just for drivers, and with sunny weather here, pedestrian commuters are about to see a significant increase in both Edmonton and Calgary. With pedestrian injuries accounting for approximately 15% of accident-related claims and 18% of vehicular related fatalities in Edmonton alone, there’s no denying that the risks associated with, as well as damages caused by vehicle and pedestrian-involved accidents, are significant.
At James H. Brown and Associates, we know just how life-altering and difficult it can be to experience a traumatic accident, as well as how overwhelming it can feel to make sure you have adequate funds to pursue proper medical care. We believe that achieving fair settlements and starting a solid road to recovery should never be a challenge. That’s why our team of highly-skilled injury lawyers are proud to partner with Albertans to make sure you have the representation and support you need when it matters most. For nearly 30 years, James H. Brown and Associates have helped personal injury victims and their families with successful injury law services, including some of the largest injury settlements in Alberta.
Below, we’ll cover what to do if you or your loved one are involved in a pedestrian-involved collision. Read on to learn more!
Safety First
Collisions are traumatic for both drivers and pedestrians, and in the aftermath of the impact, it can be easy to get flustered and forget what to do. The first order of business for both parties should be to get to safety as quickly as possible. Move the vehicle off to the side of the road if possible, and if both parties are able to do so safely, relocate to a safer location to avoid a secondary impact from another vehicle or additional hazards. Exercise extreme caution when moving the pedestrian if there are any significant injuries, and contact 911 immediately to make sure that everyone on the scene is able to receive emergency care if needed.
DON’T Shake it Off
Shock can make our bodies do incredible things, and with all the adrenaline flowing through you after an accident, you may feel inclined to shake off medical assistance on the scene or tell the driver that you’re “fine” and send them on their way. DO NOT REFUSE HELP or let the other party leave. Until you are fully evaluated by a medical practitioner (more on that below), you have no way of knowing how injured you are and the initial assessment by police officers and/or paramedics will play a vital role in your care as well as aid your case should you need to pursue a personal injury claim.
Collect Information
Once everyone is safe, it’s vital that you both stay on the scene and exchange information for follow up details, as well as for insurance and legal purposes. Do your best to stay calm and collected, and document everything with as much detail as possible. Take pictures of the scene, the license plate of the vehicle(s) involved, as well as the name, address, and insurance information of the driver. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, do your best to get any relevant information from bystanders and witnesses to put together a police report that is as comprehensive as possible.
With regards to your injuries, it’s important that you take pictures and document any and all injuries both immediately following the accident, as well as they progress. Many conditions and symptoms of major trauma take time to appear, so it’s important to document everything as clearly as possible over time.
Seek Medical Care
Once you have been safely released from the scene, it’s important to see a medical practitioner as soon as possible. As we mentioned above, it can days or even weeks for signs of significant internal damage to make themselves known, so it’s crucial that both you and your loved ones stay vigilant in watching for any issues that may start to appear. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or spinal cord injury (SCI) to be aware of include:
- Balance issues
- Headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision
- Contorted neck or spine
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Shoulder or neck pain
- Memory loss
- Difficulty focusing
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Extreme fatigue, and more.
If you or your loved one display any of these symptoms, regardless of how long it has been since your accident, seek medical help immediately.
Speak With a Lawyer
Once you’ve received medical care, it’s important to consider speaking with a trusted team of injury lawyers. Pedestrian-vehicle collisions carry a much higher likelihood of significant injury, including injuries that leave victims with significant, life-altering impairments. Regardless of who is at fault in the accident, knowing your rights, options and having support that you can count on is a crucial part of your road to recovery. At James H. Brown and Associates, we’re here to partner with you and your loved ones to ensure you have access to the assistance you deserve, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight on your behalf. Our team offers accident victims:
- Complete accident investigation services, including accident reconstruction and long-term impact analysis.
- Strong relationships with organizations ready to assist with rehabilitation and recovery.
- And much more!
If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian-vehicle collision, there is hope for recovery! Contact us today to speak to a lawyer and book a free, no-obligation consultation with James H. Brown and Associates.
