Pedestrians and bicyclists are injured and killed by motor vehicle drivers far too often. Whether the injured pedestrian or bicyclist is a child or full-grown adult, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely fight and even deny the injury claim. The reasons vary in each case. Without another car to compare property damage and how the accident physically happened, insurance companies routinely target these injury claims to get away with paying less or nothing at all.
There are several things an injured pedestrian or bicyclist should do after being struck by a motor vehicle. First, it is imperative to make sure the police are called to investigate the incident. The injured pedestrian or bicyclist should try to help with identifying any witnesses in the area to provide to the police officer. Not all traffic signals are the same in every intersection, and the at-fault motor vehicle driver may change his or her story while waiting for the police to arrive. Confirming the locations of other witnesses and their view of the traffic signals at the time of the accident can help with proving who had the right-of-way. It is also critical to get witnesses’ contact information so that they can help in the future. Even if the injured person is on their way to school or work at the time of the accident, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately. Motor vehicles can weigh thousands of pounds and can cause a wide range of injuries.
Lastly, getting in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible is critical. That way, the lawyer can get to work gathering any available video evidence, obtaining witness statements, and continue a thorough investigation to beat the insurance company when it comes time to file a claim. It may even take a lawsuit to win the claim. It takes a tough lawyer who isn’t scared to go to battle for you against the at-fault driver and insurance company and not just settle for pennies on the dollar.
Abraham Watkins lawyers are thoroughly experienced in helping people who have been injured or killed in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed as a result of an accident, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner today 713-396-3964 or toll free at 1-800-594-4884 to see if you or your family have a claim.