In recent years, pedestrian accidents have become alarmingly common in cities like Riverside, where busy intersections, school zones, and downtown shopping areas bring together heavy traffic and foot activity. Whether you’re crossing near Main Street, walking your child to school, or strolling through the Riverside Plaza, a routine walk can turn traumatic in a matter of seconds when a careless driver fails to yield or isn’t paying attention.
The unfortunate truth is that many of these accidents are caused by driver negligence—speeding, texting behind the wheel, or ignoring crosswalks. But after the accident, what you do next matters just as much as what caused it. In the chaos that follows a collision, it’s easy to make choices that unintentionally hurt your chances of getting the medical care and financial compensation you need to recover.
After a pedestrian accident, many people are shaken, embarrassed, or in shock. It's easy to downplay what just happened—especially if you can still stand or don’t feel immediate pain. But failing to call the police is one of the biggest mistakes you can make after being hit by a vehicle.
Calling the police ensures there’s an official report of the incident, which is crucial for your personal injury claim. A police report can:
Without this report, it becomes your word against the driver’s—and insurance companies often use that lack of documentation to dispute or deny valid claims.
Even if the driver seems cooperative or apologetic at the scene, never agree to "just work it out privately." Drivers may change their story later or refuse to accept responsibility once they speak to their insurance company.
One of the most common—and costly—mistakes pedestrians make after being hit by a vehicle is not seeking medical attention right away. Whether you feel “fine” or just want to get home and rest, putting off medical care can seriously harm both your health and your legal case.
Pedestrian accidents often involve powerful impact, and even if you weren’t knocked unconscious or bleeding, internal injuries, soft tissue damage, or concussions may not show symptoms immediately. A delay in diagnosis can lead to complications, longer recovery times, or permanent damage that could have been prevented with timely treatment.
From a legal standpoint, postponing medical care also gives insurance companies ammunition to argue that:
This is something we hear from clients all the time. But it’s important to remember that adrenaline and shock often mask pain in the moments after a traumatic event. Many victims wake up sore, stiff, or dizzy the next morning—and by then, crucial time has passed without documentation.
Tip: Even if you feel okay, get checked out by a doctor or at a local emergency room. Your medical records will support your case and help ensure you get the care you need.
After a pedestrian accident, it's natural to feel overwhelmed or disoriented. But if you're physically able—or if someone with you can help—gathering evidence at the scene is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your claim.
Accident scenes change fast. Vehicles get moved, skid marks fade, and witnesses walk away. If you don’t act quickly, crucial evidence can disappear within minutes, leaving you with little more than your memory to rely on. Insurance companies often use this lack of physical proof to downplay or deny legitimate injury claims.
That’s why taking the time to document the scene can make all the difference. Photos and contact information collected in those first few moments can serve as key evidence that supports your version of events and helps your attorney build a strong case.
Here’s what you or someone you trust should try to gather right after the accident:
One of the biggest mistakes injured pedestrians make is talking to the driver’s insurance company too soon—and without legal representation. While the insurance adjuster may sound friendly or concerned, it's important to remember: they work for the insurance company, not for you.
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, which often means minimizing the amount they pay out in claims. Right after your accident, they may call you asking for “a quick statement” or “a few details” about what happened. But what you say can be twisted or taken out of context later.
Even simple, offhand comments like “I didn’t see the car coming” or “I’m feeling better now” can be used against you to:
If an insurance adjuster contacts you after your accident:
After a pedestrian accident, it’s understandable to want to focus on healing and getting back to normal life. But waiting too long to speak with a lawyer or file a claim can seriously jeopardize your case.
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. That might sound like plenty of time, but in reality, the clock starts ticking immediately, and the longer you wait:
If your pedestrian accident involved a government vehicle (like a city bus) or occurred in an area that may involve government negligence (such as a poorly maintained crosswalk or malfunctioning traffic signal), the timeline is much shorter.
In these cases, you must file an administrative claim with the government agency within just 6 months of the incident. If you miss this window, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Being hit by a car while walking is a traumatic experience—and what you do afterward can significantly affect your recovery and your legal rights. Avoiding common mistakes like failing to report the incident, skipping medical care, or dealing with insurance companies on your own can make all the difference when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve.
Even if you’ve already made one of these errors, it’s not too late. The most important thing you can do now is get experienced legal guidance. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can step in, assess your case, correct course where possible, and help you move forward with confidence.
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in Riverside—whether it was in a crosswalk, near a school, or along a busy intersection—don’t wait to protect your rights. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of holding the at-fault party accountable and recovering full compensation for your injuries, lost income, and more.
At Tim Wright Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a pedestrian accident can take. We’re here to provide trusted legal help with no upfront fees and no payment unless we win your case.
✅ Free Consultation – Let’s talk through your options
✅ No Fees Unless We Win – You don’t pay us unless we recover for you
📞 Call: (323) 379-9995
📍 Visit: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
🔗 Follow us for updates and legal tips:
Facebook |
Instagram |
Twitter
