Personal Injury on a Public Street: What to Do When Somebody Hits You
Posted on: 10 April 2017
If you are riding a bike down a city street, or just taking a walk, and somebody forcefully bumps into you or hits you such that you are injured, you may be wondering what to do next. If you have a phone, be sure to call the police for help. If anything was stolen from you in the process, definitely call the police. Here are a few other guidelines and tips regarding this type of personal injury.
If You Were Hit by a Car
People have been known to jump the curb and smack into pedestrians. Most of the time, drugs or alcohol is to blame, but it can also be a loss of control over the vehicle or a loss of control over the driver's body (e.g., a seizure or narcolepsy). Always involve the police, and if you are able to get up and move around after being hit, try to talk to the driver to see what happened.
If the driver seems emotionally or psychologically unstable, steer clear until the police arrive. If you are unable to get up off the ground after being struck by a car, try to remain alert until the police and rescue vehicles arrive. Remember any details you can about the incident and tell the police while you are still alert. You may not remember them after you pass out and wake up again.
If Another Pedestrian Hit You
Another pedestrian may have been trying to take something you have, such as your bike, your shoes, your wallet or purse, or even your coat. After this happens, assess your situation to see if anything was taken. Clearly, if articles of clothing or your bike were taken, you will need to file a police report. In other instances, the police will be needed to help you figure out if you were mugged or if it was a classic pickpocket move of "fake bump and grab." Any injuries you suffer should be documented, regardless of the incident.
If There Are Public Cameras in the Area
Everybody jokes how "Big Brother" is watching every intersection and every move everyone makes now. Yet, when you are injured on a public street, those street cameras are the big break you need to proving your case and suing for compensation. The cameras will show your "attacker" and what happened right before the incident and right after. If you are alert and able after the incident, look for traffic cameras, street cameras and even gas station and ATM cameras that may show what happened to you. Your personal injury lawyer can subpoena the owners of these cameras to get footage of your incident to defend your case.
For more tips about what to do if you're injured on a public street or walkway, talk to attorneys at a company like The Gil Law Firm.
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