If you’ve been struck by a car in Denver, Colorado, you need to know what to do next. This isn’t something anyone ever anticipates having to deal with, but it happens to a surprising number of pedestrians every year—many of whom are legally in crosswalks. Below are a few steps you should take.
1. Write everything down. This includes how you were hurt, any other losses you have and how the accident happened. Don’t rely on memory alone.
2. If you talk to anyone—like the driver or a witness—take notes from that conversation, as well.
3. Take pictures, if possible. This used to be much harder to do, but in the age of smartphones, it’s gotten a lot easier. Document as much as you can, as pictures can be very helpful if you end up in court and the driver has a different version of events than you do.
4. Seek out witnesses. Much of the time, people will come up to you to see if you are all right and to tell you they saw the accident. Take down their contact information. If no one comes to you, actively look for witnesses. Just finding one can make a big difference.
5. Tell the driver what you plan to do. You don’t have to do this immediately, but if you’re going to start up a lawsuit so that you can claim compensation for your losses, you’ll eventually have to let the driver—or the responsible party, if not the driver—know what you’re planning.
As you take these important steps, be sure you’re aware of all of your legal rights.
Source: FIndLaw, “Pedestrian Accidents FAQ,” accessed Dec. 01, 2015