Whether you walk to work or like strolling through town for exercise or pleasure, you need to know what to if you’re hit by a car.
Walking may be statistically safer than driving, but vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen quite frequently. In Utah alone, there were 774 car crashes involving pedestrians in 2020 – and in roughly 95 percent of these collisions, the people on foot suffered injuries.
Clearly, being a pedestrian isn’t without danger. If you happen to get hit by a car when you’re out walking in Draper or anywhere in northern Utah, here’s how to handle the situation.
Slowly and carefully move to a safe area -- if you’re physically able to do so -- then call 911 to ensure that the police and an ambulance are on the way. You’ll need the responding officer to file an official report, and you may need to take a trip to the emergency room.
Whether or not you’re experiencing any pain from getting hit by a car, you should get an immediate medical assessment. Adrenaline can mask pain, and you might not even realize you’re injured. If you don’t need an ambulance ride, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.
While you’re at the accident scene, gather information. Use your phone to take photos of the vehicle that hit you and the surrounding area – including any intersections, crosswalks, skid marks and nearby visual distractions. If you can, photograph your injuries, too.
In many vehicle-pedestrian accidents, the car drivers are liable. All motorists in Utah have a duty to act in a safe manner -- and anyone behind the wheel must remain alert to their surroundings. If driver negligence played a role in your accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
That said, pedestrians in Utah also have the responsibility to follow local traffic laws and exercise caution when out walking. If you were behaving carelessly when you were hit by a car, you may be held liable for the accident and any resulting damages.
For some Utah pedestrian accidents, liability doesn’t lie with the motorist or the person on foot – it lies with the municipality. In cases of faulty traffic lights, poorly placed crosswalks and roadway safety hazards, both drivers and pedestrians may have claims for negligence against the municipality.
At William R. Rawlings & Associates, we frequently provide legal assistance to victims in Utah vehicle-pedestrian accidents. If you were hit by a car, you’ll need to make sure that your losses are covered – and with decades of experience, our Utah pedestrian accident attorneys know how to fight for the maximum in compensation.
Put your case in our hands, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we’re able to negotiate a settlement or win an award in court. For more information on the legal services we provide at William R. Rawlings & Associates, or to consult with a highly skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer in Draper, Utah, contact us today.