Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Serving Minneapolis
No one ever thinks about being hit by a car as they cross the street or walk on the sidewalk. Yet, pedestrian accidents happen. Should you find yourself a victim in a pedestrian accident, it’s critical to understand your rights as well as the steps you should take to protect yourself.
What to Do If You’re Hit By a Car
Before you do anything else, if you’re in the street or too close to the street, move away. This will help you avoid any further injury. Secondly, remain calm. After you’re hit by a car, you may experience high levels of emotion and adrenaline. Staying calm will help you think about what to do next.
- Call 9-1-1 for help. You’ll need medical attention regardless of how minor your injuries seem to be. Due to adrenaline, they may be worse than they appear. If you can’t call for help, ask someone else to do it for you.
- Obtain information from the driver. If the accident wasn’t a hit-and-run, ask for the driver’s phone number, driver’s license number, insurance information and any other info you can collect. If you’re able, take photos of your surroundings such as the scene of the accident and the license plate number.
- Communicate with the police about what happened. Tell the police what happened in your own words for the police report, while it’s fresh in your mind.
Next Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
After you receive medical attention and have made it through the first few hours following your accident, it’s time to take the next step: consider calling a pedestrian accident attorney. A lawyer can help you navigate the days to come by working on your behalf.
For example, they’ll help you communicate with the insurance companies and help you seek compensation to cover all your losses, ranging from medical bills to lost wages to rehabilitation and home care costs.
Understanding Minnesota Pedestrian Accident Laws
According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety and Minnesota law, motorists must treat every corner and intersection as a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked. They must also stop for pedestrians crossing the street.
Likewise, pedestrians must obey traffic control devices. If a device isn’t present, motorists must stop to allow pedestrians to cross within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection without a crosswalk.
In Minnesota, claims involving pedestrians and motor vehicles are “no-fault.” This means you can seek compensation from your own auto insurance’s no-fault policy for medical expenses, lost wages and more. If your costs meet certain thresholds, you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party for pain and suffering and other losses.
Want to know more? Check out our personal injury blog for posts on pedestrian accidents. Here are a few of our favorites:
Why Choose Brazil Law Group for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?
At Brazil Law Group, we’re dedicated to providing advocacy to those injured in pedestrian accidents. We continually fight for both pedestrian and cyclist rights by helping you navigate through the insurance maze. You don’t have to go through this alone.
“I would whole-heartedly recommend Dan to any cyclist or pedestrian who finds themselves in the unfortunate situation I was in. He will work with you every step of the way to get what you need, from medical care to financial compensation. His decades of experience doing this work, coupled with his commitment to you, the client, really shines.”
—K.N., Minneapolis, MN
Call to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident in a Free Consultation
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your legal needs and what we can do to help. You don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call us today at 612-874-6109 to discover how we can put our advocacy and years of experience to work for you.
