Free Consultations 980.400.6482

Hit By A Car While Running

Hit By A Car While Running

Hit By A Car While Running – What To Do Next

If you are hit by a car while running, the injuries can be tragic. There is no more vulnerable individual on the road than the pedestrian. Often, runners are moving fast enough that turning cars don’t see them coming. This makes getting hit by a car while running a very real danger.

Take These Steps After Being Hit

  1. If you’ve been hit by a car while running, certainly your health is most important. Calling for medical attention should be your first step.
  2. Second, document the accident. This means taking pictures of the area where you were hit, and the vehicle that hit you. Additionally, take photos of the license plate of the car that hit you.
  3. Third, if you are not being rushed to the hospital by ambulance, be sure to call the police. This will generate a police report which is an official record of the accident.
  4. Lastly, take down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the accident and were kind enough to stop. They may be the key to your personal injury case down the road.

Statistically Speaking

Each year, the numbers keep getting worse for pedestrians. According to the most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Administration:

                “Unfortunately, pedestrians were one of the few groups of road users to experience an increase in fatalities in the United States in 2016, totaling 5,987 deaths.”

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

That is a fatality every two hours, which is terribly frightening. Comparatively, 840 bicyclists were killed in the same year. A previous blog article on this site has advice regarding bicycling in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Preventing Pedestrian Accidents

In order to prevent being hit by a car while running or walking, you have to become a defensive pedestrian. This means taking proactive steps to ensure your own safety. Consequently, you need to always be on the lookout for the actions of drivers, and make yourself easily detectable as a pedestrian. Here are a few ways to accomplish that:

  1. Wear brightly colored clothing or a safety vest.
  2. Follow the rules of the road so that motorists are more likely to spot you.
  3. Run during daylight hours.
  4. Pick routes that include greenways and neighborhood streets whenever possible.

Speak With An Attorney Today

If you were hit by a car while running, we’re here to help. Our firm aggressively defends the rights of pedestrians including runners, bicyclists, and others sharing the road with motorists. Attorney Chris Layton spent years commuting to work by bicycle in Charlotte, and runs almost every day—as a result, he’s passionate about helping individuals who have been injured on the road. You can reach us at 704.749.7747 or click for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and we will reach out to you the same day. We know you have choices. We hope you choose to Recover With Us.