If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you might be entitled to compensation. To prove that you have a valid claim, you need to collect evidence and be able to establish negligence. Fortunately, a dedicated lawyer with experience gathering evidence in Chicago pedestrian accident cases could help you. Call an accomplished pedestrian accident attorney today to get started.
Collecting Evidence After a Pedestrian Accident
The most important evidence in Chicago pedestrian accident cases include:
- Witnesses
- Police Reports
- Pictures
- Videos
After a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to collect this evidence as soon as possible. If evidence is not gathered quickly, it may be lost. This is why it is imperative to contact an attorney immediately. A lawyer could talk to witnesses and police, take photos of the scene, and see if there is any video evidence available.
Many injury law firms can help individuals collect necessary evidence in a pedestrian accident case by having investigators who will contact police stations to obtain police reports. They also will file Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain any video, such as street cameras, and contact local businesses for any security camera footage. An attorney could canvass areas to see if they can obtain any kind of information from witnesses about what they may have seen and heard, and whether they are familiar with certain incidents occurring with regularity over a specific period or in a certain area. A seasoned lawyer could do the legwork to collect the evidence so that the victim can focus on recovering from their injuries.
Police Investigations in Pedestrian Accidents
Police investigations of pedestrian accidents create a record of exactly what happened, where it happened, when it happened, who are the witnesses, and who else can verify what the conditions were.
Whether a person should speak to an attorney before speaking with officers is open to interpretation. An attorney will advise that they be cautious when talking to officers as far as how the accident occurred, but a person certainly would want to make officers aware of what happened. Whether that is the right decision or not differs on a case-by-case basis. An individual cannot go wrong, though, by speaking to an attorney before they speak to the officers.
What if a Person is injured in a Hit and Run Accident?
If a person is injured in a hit-and-run accident, they should contact the police if they are able to. It is critical that they contact the police to create a record and seek a medical professional if they need medical attention. What many people in Chicago are not aware of is that if they have motor-vehicle insurance and are struck by someone who flees the scene, they can use their insurance to pursue an uninsured motorist claim. They can do so even though they were a pedestrian when they were struck.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Only after they have consulted with an attorney should an injured pedestrian disclose information to the other party’s insurance company. They should let the attorney convey the facts of the incident to the insurance company because the other party’s insurance company will seek to take advantage and deny liability. However, a lawyer could keep the injured party’s best interests in mind to help them get the compensation that they deserve.
How a Chicago Lawyer Could Help with Gathering Evidence in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Collecting evidence in Chicago pedestrian accident cases as soon as possible is crucial to proving liability and having a successful claim. If you were injured in an accident, contact an accomplished lawyer today to set up your consultation. Let our team help you gather evidence and recover damages.
