Pedestrians in Roswell and throughout New Mexico are in serious danger of being injured or killed in a pedestrian accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), New Mexico has the highest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population in the United States. If a negligent driver caused you or a family member to suffer injuries while you were walking in Roswell, he may be responsible to compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
You could suffer very serious injuries in a pedestrian accident in Roswell that require expensive, long-term medical care. You could be off work for months or longer while you recover—if you do not become permanently disabled.
Fortunately, you are entitled to compensation from the negligent driver who caused your collision under New Mexico law. However, you need to take immediate steps to protect your health and your claim with their insurance company. Contacting a Roswell pedestrian accident lawyer immediately following your incident is crucial to your case.
Contact a Roswell Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Immediately After an Accident
The actions you take immediately after your pedestrian crash can have a direct impact on the strength of your case against the at-fault driver and the amount of compensation you can recover in your settlement with the insurance company. Here are a few crucial first steps you should take:
- Move to a safe location. If you were struck while on the road, you should move to the side of the road or other safe location to avoid being hit again by another driver.
- Seek medical care. You should call for an ambulance or go to the emergency room if you suffered any apparent injuries. Even if you don’t believe you were hurt or think that your injuries are minor, you should be examined by a doctor within 48 hours to protect your health and avoid disputes with the insurance company about the cause or seriousness of your injuries.
- Call the police. Call 911 at the accident scene. A police officer will investigate the cause of your collision and write a police report that will include helpful information, such as a narration of how the crash occurred, who was at fault, and any traffic citations issued.
- Obtain contact information. You should obtain the contact information for the negligent driver and their insurance company so that you can file a compensation claim. You also need to get this information for any witnesses who can corroborate how the driver caused your accident.
- Take pictures and video. You should take pictures and video using your cell phone camera of the accident scene, damage to the vehicle, your injuries, and anything else you believe would help prove how the collision occurred.
- Retain an attorney. You should hire an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash. They can collect the evidence you need to prove your case, file your claim, and negotiate your settlement.
Here Are the Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In many cases, motorists are the cause of pedestrian accidents and will have breached their duty to yield the right of way to people who are walking. Common reasons drivers cause these tragic accidents include:
- Distracted driving. When a driver is distracted by his cell phone, eating, drinking, or instrument controls, his mind, and eyes are not on his driving. Pedestrians are already less visible than autos and motorcycles, which increases the likelihood that a distracted driver would not see them before it is too late to prevent a catastrophic accident.
- Intoxication. Key driving skills, such as reaction time, judgment, and vision are reduced when a driver is drunk or intoxicated due to drug use. These motorists are much less likely to see a pedestrian or have a quick enough reaction time to avoid hitting him.
- Speeding. Drivers who are speeding will need additional time to slow down or stop if they see a person legally crossing a street or crosswalk. The force of impact will be greater when someone is speeding, which is especially dangerous for a walker who has no protection from a much larger auto.
- Failure to yield. Pedestrians are frequently injured or killed in accidents at intersections or stop signs when they have the right of way and a motorist fails to yield to them. They can suffer even more serious injuries if the person is trying to beat a red light or is speeding. Contact Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Roswell
Contact Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Roswell
Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Roswell? You may suffer more long-term injuries than if you were in a car accident, and this may make the value of your claim higher. You need the assistance of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer to fight the negligent driver’s insurance company for the compensation you deserve. To learn how we can assist you, start a live chat to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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