When using a marked crosswalk as a pedestrian, you likely trust that motorists understand that you have the right to walk across the street without them honking at you or rushing you to get to the other side. However, many motorists disregard proper crosswalk etiquette despite these zones being designed for pedestrians’ safe passage.
For this reason, quite a number of pedestrian accidents happen at pedestrian crossings where pedestrians have the right of way. As you’re at risk of being hit by a vehicle at a crosswalk, you should know which steps to take in the aftermath of such a collision.
Help ensure your safety and call for help
As soon as you can make sense of the accident, you should try to see if you can move yourself from the accident site to the side of the road to avoid further harm. Once you’re at a safe location, call for medical help immediately. It’s crucial to dial 911 even if you perceive your injuries to be minor. You may have sustained injuries whose symptoms don’t manifest immediately.
When the emergency responders arrive, they can assess your condition and safely transport you to the hospital. Additionally, you can expect law enforcement officials who arrive at the accident scene to document it. They will then create an official accident report, which is crucial for any future legal or insurance claims.
Gather information
While you wait for emergency responders to arrive, you might want to document the accident scene with clear photographic evidence. If you aren’t physically able to use your phone camera, you should consider asking one of the witnesses at the accident scene to help you collect pertinent details. You should have videos and photos of:
- The marked crosswalk
- Any visible injuries you’ve sustained
- The vehicle that hit you
Try to make sure you also have the following information about the driver:
- Name
- Contact information
- License number
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance details
Don’t forget to ask for the witnesses’ contact information, as you might need their statements to corroborate your version of events.
Being hit by a vehicle at a marked crosswalk is a rude shock that can leave you with significant injuries. Thankfully, you don’t have to take such disregard for your rights as a pedestrian sitting down. A compassionate legal group can help ensure you hold the driver who hit you accountable for their reckless behavior.
