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Whether you're walking, jogging, or simply just trying to cross the street, you take on serious risks every time you're on foot in California. Motorists often fail to look out for pedestrians, leaving these vulnerable road users under constant threat of a life-altering accident. 

If you were hurt by a negligent driver, you might be unsure about what to do next. Left suffering with serious injuries and your emotions running high, it can be difficult to navigate the minutes following an accident—let alone the weeks ahead. 

In this article, we look at a few steps you should always take after a pedestrian accident in California: 

Visit the Doctor 

Without the protection of a seatbelt and accident-ready crumple zone, pedestrians rarely walk away from collisions unscathed. As such, even if you feel fine, you should still visit the doctor as soon as possible after the wreck 

Some conditions—such as brain trauma—can take hours or even days to manifest symptoms, so it's possible that you could've been hurt without realizing you need treatment. However, visiting the doctor won't just ensure that a serious injury doesn't go undetected, it will also help you avoid disputes over liability, causation, and failure to mitigate damages. 

If, for instance, you failed to schedule a medical assessment until weeks after the wreck, the insurer might have room to assert that you suffered your injuries in a different incident. Alternatively, they may argue that you were negligent as had you booked an appointment within a reasonable timeframe, you may have been able to avoid some of the health complications you experienced. 

Gather Evidence 

Collecting evidence at the accident scene can have a major impact on the success of your case. As such proof is often time-sensitive, it may no longer be available in the days that follow. With this in mind, you should make sure to take photos of the accident scene, obtain witness contact details, request videos of surveillance camera recordings and dashcam footage, and write down everything you can remember about the incident as soon as possible after the crash. 

Reach Out to an Attorney 

While you could handle your claim on your own, it can be difficult to navigate proceedings without an in-depth understanding of the law. An attorney who is well-versed in pedestrian accident cases will possess the necessary skills to guide you through this process. He or she can also help alleviate stress by handling the logistics of your case so that you can turn your attention back to your recovery. 

Request a Free Case Review with a California Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today 

If you were struck and left seriously injured by a negligent driver, turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your options. We can meet with you as part of a free consultation wherein you can get to know our attorneys, ask questions about your claim, and find out about more of the steps you will need to take in the aftermath of the wreck. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head to our contact page HERE to schedule a meeting with a California pedestrian accident attorney today.