Over 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year after being struck by a vehicle with another 70,000 or so suffering serious injury. Pedestrians are simply no match for a several-thousand pound car made of metal and glass. Unfortunately, even the best driver can end up hitting a pedestrian and it is a frightening and potentially serious event for all those involved. While many pedestrians have been hit and survived, much more often they are killed or seriously injured. In some cases the driver is distracted for any number of reasons and simply don’t see the pedestrian, in other cases the pedestrian is at fault.

Pedestrians may be walking with headphones on and fail to see an oncoming car or, in many cases, it is children who dart across the street who end up victims of an accident. While pedestrians are generally considered to have the right of way, should they blatantly ignore traffic signals they can make it virtually impossible for an automobile driver to avoid hitting them. Drivers must, however, approach all pedestrian crossings with extra caution, and should slow down in areas where pedestrians are present. There are certain things a driver must absolutely do should they strike a pedestrian.

Stop Immediately and Call for Help

Even if the pedestrian seems to be all right and it was a relatively minor bump-in, you must still call for medical help then call the police. Internal injuries are always a possibility even when the pedestrian claims to be fine. After calling for help, call your insurance company. It can be much easier to sort through all the paperwork when the details are fresh in your mind. If you are able, take some photographs of the accident scene and jot down some notes regarding the time of day, the weather and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Always assume that you could potentially end up in court, and act accordingly with that thought.

Never, Ever, Leave the Scene of the Accident

While it may certainly seem self-evident, you should never leave the scene after you have hit a pedestrian even if the pedestrian leaves. Leaving the scene of an accident can come back to haunt you in the form of lawsuits and even criminal charges. Hit and run charges are by far worse than any charges you may incur which allege negligence. There may even be circumstances you are unaware of, and you may not be responsible at all. You will never know if you don’t stay until the police arrive and give your side of the story.

Never Leave the Pedestrian in Harm’s Way

It is a sure bet that you will be extremely rattled after hitting a pedestrian however if that person is still in harm’s way you need to take immediate action to get them out of the street. If a pedestrian could be hit by another car by virtue of where they landed after the accident then it is imperative that you get help and get them out of the way as well as getting your car out of the way in order to avoid a huge pile-up of car accidents.

Don’t Neglect Your Injuries

Depending on the circumstances of your accident you may also have injuries so don’t neglect your own rights as you tend to the pedestrian. You may also suffer a tremendous amount of guilt whether the accident was your fault or not, particularly if the victim suffered serious injuries. Many people who have hit a pedestrian become very anxious when driving. Should you eventually end up in court you will want to show that you did everything properly following the accident. Whether you are the victim of a pedestrian car accident or were the driver, you need an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner to protect your rights as well as your future.