I Have Been Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian – Can I Make a Claim?

I Have Been Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian – Can I Make a Claim?

A lot of people assume that road traffic accidents only involve cars or motorcycles colliding with another vehicle. However, every year, there are a number of pedestrians that are involved. Unfortunately, this type of accident can mean that you sustain serious injuries or it can even be fatal.

If you or a loved one is involved in a road traffic accident, you can talk to a pedestrian accident claim solicitor. They can help you receive the compensation that you deserve. Here are the steps you should take if you are part of an accident as a pedestrian.

Seek Medical Attention

Being involved in any type of accident can be traumatic and leave you shaken. If you have been hit by a car, make sure that you seek medical attention straight away. You may have sustained serious injuries that require treatment. Some people assume they are fine if there are no broken bones. However, it is common to have a delayed reaction to some injuries. Thus, arrange an appointment with your doctor to be checked over.

Note Down Details and Take Photographs

At the scene, do your best to start collecting evidence of what has happened. Again, you may be shaken and not thinking clearly. But you want to do your best to take photographs of the scene and any injuries sustained. In addition, take notes about what happened and how the vehicle hit you, as well as the weather conditions, time and date of the incident. All of this is going to be helpful for making a compensation claim*.

Report the Pedestrian Incident

When a road traffic accident is serious, an ambulance will be called. This means that the Gardaí will also attend to take a look at the scene. They will make a report, including taking a statement for everybody involved. However, if the accident is thought to be minor, you will have to go to your local station. Here, you should make a report about the accident so that there is a record of it. The sooner you do this the better. This way, you can remember all of the details.

Make a Compensation Claim

Being involved in an accident as a pedestrian can have long-term consequences. You may have serious injuries that prevent you from working or expensive medical treatment and therapy. When the car accident is not your fault, why should you have to pay the bill? It may be possible to make a compensation claim if the drive was to blame for the accident.

First of all, look for an experienced pedestrian accident claims solicitor. They are going to be able to advise you and start the process. Your claim* will be submitted to the Injuries Board to see whether you are entitled to compensation*.

You may be able to recover the money you have paid out for expenses relating to the accident. So, ensure that you keep a record of everything that you pay out. This can include everything from bus fares to and from the hospital to lost wages as a result of your injury.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement.