Some days the world seems like a rather frightening place, with freak accidents happening everywhere. If you watch the news on a regular basis, you may be afraid to hop on a transatlantic flight for fear of the plane crashing into the ocean. Or, you may pass on setting off into the sunset on a Caribbean cruise, thinking the ship could capsize at sea. But do you ever hear about people not driving for fear of being in an automobile accident? Or people who do not walk down the sidewalk because they are convinced they will be hit by a car? Seems pretty silly when it is put like that, but the truth of the matter is that people are much more likely to be seriously injured doing average, everyday things like driving or walking than while on a commercial flight or a cruise ship.
While crossing the street or walking down Main Street may not seem like dangerous things to do, pedestrians are injured all the time doing these seemingly safe activities. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2013 approximately 66,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes and more than 4,700 were killed. That equates to one pedestrian being injured every 8 minutes and killed every two hours. Now, this does not mean that a person should live in fear every time put on their walking shoes. However, there are things that every pedestrian should be aware of, just in case they are involved in this type of accident. Here are the three things you should do if you are ever struck by a car:
- Move to a safe location: If you or a person you are with is struck by a vehicle, the first thing you need to do is to get the victim to a safe location. If he or she is able to walk, find a place off of the roadway to regroup. While this type of situation can be very scary, it is important to try to stay calm.
- Call for help: The next step is to always call 911 to request the paramedics or an ambulance. Even if you think no serious injuries occurred, it is vital that the police are contacted. Law enforcement officers will need to make a report and gather evidence. This is important because sometimes a victim may not realize the extent of the injuries until later. Sounds strange, but accidents happen in just a blink of an eye.
- Gather information: While you are waiting for the paramedics or police to arrive, take a moment to survey the scene and recall what happened. Make mental notes of anything that you feel may be important later. If you are physically able, take photos of your injuries, the car that struck you, including the license plate and of the general location. Smart phones with a camera are great for this purpose.
- Do not give the driver permission to leave: Even if you feel okay, do not tell the driver who struck you that he or she can leave the scene. You want the driver to stay at least until the police can come to make their report.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured after being struck by a motor vehicle, the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. You can trust the Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you as they have helped countless injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. We invite you to contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule an initial consultation. Our caring and hardworking injury attorneys will make it easier to get back on your feet.