What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Auto Accident

Every year thousands of people involved in pedestrian auto accidents are injured, and tens of thousands of people die. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in 2015 that approximately 70,000 pedestrians were injured by an automobile, and 5,376 pedestrians were killed. Such injuries can be very serious and often life threatening. In 2017, Colorado had 93 pedestrian fatalities.

As the population in Colorado continues to increase, the chances of being injured in a pedestrian auto accident have also increased. All too often, the driver’s conduct is to blame. Most pedestrian auto accidents are caused by distracted drivers using a mobile device, eating, drinking, or several other distractions while driving. Even worse, alcohol is sometimes involved. Here are some things to keep in mind if you become the victim of a pedestrian auto accident.

What to do after a pedestrian auto accident

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian auto accident, follow these steps:

1. Contact the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene
2. If the driver did not flee the accident, exchange contact information, but do not try to discuss or establish fault
3. Collect contact information from any witnesses that were present during the accident

Next, and most importantly seek immediate medical attention. It is important to remember that even if you do not feel pain immediately after the accident, it often takes some time for injuries to materialize. Seeking immediate medical attention ensures that a qualified medical professional can identify issues before they become worse. Also, waiting to see a doctor after an accident may not work to your favor if you need to go to court to seek compensation from a negligent driver.

Colorado’s Duty of Care

In pedestrian auto accidents, drivers must exercise “reasonable care under the circumstances” when operating a vehicle. This means the driver must obey the customary rules of the road – stopping at stop signs and red lights, signaling before turning, obeying posted signs, yielding to pedestrians crossing cross walks, and obeying the speed limits, among other rules. A driver that fails to follow these rules may have breached their duty of care and may be found liable for negligence.

Can a pedestrian be held liable for a pedestrian auto accident?

Yes. Colorado Tort Law allows the court to find a party contributorily negligent. This means that if a pedestrian was at fault in causing the accident or contributing to their own injuries in some manner, they can be found liable for the percentage of their own negligence and can potentially be barred from recovering. It is important to contact Alhasoon, Glidden & Glidden, LLC immediately following a pedestrian auto accident so we can investigate your case and help gather evidence.

Consult an Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto pedestrian accident, reach out to an experienced attorney that can help you investigate your case, evaluate your claims, and protect your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and expenses. Contact the experienced lawyers at the AGG Law Firm for a free case consultation today.