Pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence in areas with heavy traffic and intersections. Although most accidents are captured on camera or are seen by eyewitnesses, other accidents may involve a driver fleeing the scene of the accident. Victims who find themselves in this situation should take immediate measures to determine and prove fault.
If you suffered damages following a sudden impact with a vehicle, speak with an injury attorney today. A lawyer can help with investigating pedestrian accidents in Charleston by getting you in touch with accident reconstructionists and obtaining police reports. To learn more, call today.
What to Do if the At-Fault Driver Fled the Scene
It is an unfortunate reality that victims of a pedestrian accident may find themselves in a situation where they are unable to identify the driver that struck them since they may have fled the scene. Often times, a pedestrian will not come to their senses in the moments following a collision. Victims could very well pass out from a head injury or be dazed after being suddenly impacted by a heavy vehicle. As a result, drivers may feel tempted to keep on driving if they know no one can tie them to the accident.
The prevalence of hit and run pedestrian accidents also depends on the location of the accident. For example, pedestrian accidents may be more frequent in downtown areas in comparison to rural areas considering the opportunities for a security camera to capture the accident in a downtown area. Since there are less shops and stores in rural areas, a negligent driver could evade responsibility since there are no cameras overlooking certain roads.
Why Should Someone Speak with an Attorney Before Speaking with Law Enforcement?
In the moments following an accident, it is recommended that victims cooperate with law enforcement and let them get to the bottom of who is at-fault for their accident. However, victims are strongly urged to speak with an attorney before interacting with an insurance company. Since insurance adjustors are often only looking out for the interests of the company, they may try to trick the victim into saying things that would lessen the level of liability against the at-fault driver. As a result, victims should always have an attorney present with them if they must speak with the opposing insurance company to avoid answering any misleading questions.
Can a Police Investigation Help a Pedestrian Accident?
There are several ways a police investigation can help with a pedestrian accident case. First and foremost, law enforcement have the ability to launch an investigation into the accident without exhausting much resources. They can punish those who provide false statements, effectively deterring individuals from lying about their involvement in an accident. Additionally, some officers are adept in accident reconstruction and can piece together the accident by looking at skid marks, traffic signs, debris, and other factors. For example, for accidents involving tractor-trailers, an MAIP team who is very skilled in reconstructing accidents can make themselves available to determine the root cause of the accident.
For Help with Launching an Investigation, Call Today
Not all personal injury cases are concluded easily. Some cases take great effort in determining the cause of the accident, who is at-fault for the accident, and how much the victim should be compensated if the accident occurred due to someone else’s negligence. Though this may seem like a daunting task for someone with little to no experience in this area of law, victims could still hold the guilty party liable for their accident with the help of an attorney.
A lawyer with years of experience investigating pedestrian accidents in Charleston could prove to be a valuable resource of information in filing a claim. To learn more about how a legal professional can help, be sure to schedule a consultation today.
