Being struck by a car is a sudden, traumatic event. The sheer force of the vehicle often results in serious physical injury, making the moments following impact disorienting and terrifying. Survival involves securing safety, documenting the scene, managing complex medical needs, and navigating the administrative fallout. This guide outlines the steps that follow such an accident to protect both your health and your future well-being.
Immediate Actions at the Scene
The priority in the immediate aftermath is to establish safety and summon professional assistance. If conscious and able to move, get out of the path of traffic to prevent secondary accidents or further injury. If you suspect head, neck, or back pain, remain still until emergency medical personnel arrive, as movement could worsen a spinal cord injury. Call 911 immediately to report the incident and request both police and emergency medical services. Shock and the body’s release of adrenaline can mask pain, so do not minimize any discomfort or visible injury when speaking to first responders. Avoid confrontation or detailed discussion of fault with the driver, focusing only on your immediate medical needs.
Critical Documentation and Information Gathering
If your physical condition allows while waiting for help, gathering specific details at the scene is important for subsequent administrative and legal processes. Obtain the driver’s full name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information, including the policy number. Also note the vehicle’s license plate number and a description of the car. Take comprehensive photographs of the accident site from multiple angles. These photos should include:
- The position of the vehicle and your body.
- Any visible injuries.
- Vehicle damage and skid marks.
- Relevant road features like traffic signs, signals, and weather conditions.
Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information, as their independent accounts are invaluable in reconstructing the event. Ensure law enforcement files an official police report, and note the responding officer’s name and the incident number for future reference.
Medical Assessment and Follow-Up Care
A comprehensive medical evaluation is necessary, even if you feel fine immediately afterward, due to delayed symptom onset. The surge of stress hormones like adrenaline can temporarily mask significant injuries such as internal bleeding, concussions, or soft tissue damage. Tell all medical providers that your injuries resulted from being struck by a car to ensure proper documentation and diagnostic testing. Following all doctor’s orders, attending physical therapy, and completing recommended follow-up appointments establishes a clear record of treatment necessity and injury severity. Maintaining a detailed personal journal documenting daily symptoms, pain levels, and how the injuries affect routine activities provides a human context to your medical records. Beyond physical recovery, address potential psychological trauma, as being hit by a car can lead to anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), requiring professional mental health support.
Navigating Insurance and Legal Proceedings
Once the immediate medical crisis is managed, the process shifts to navigating the financial and legal repercussions, using the documentation collected at the scene and during treatment. The framework for recovery depends on whether the jurisdiction follows a fault-based or a no-fault insurance system, which determines the initial source of compensation. Regardless of the system, report the accident promptly to your own insurance company, sticking only to factual details. Be wary of communicating extensively with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, as adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Decline giving a recorded statement or signing any blanket medical release forms without first consulting a legal professional. Legal counsel can assess the full value of your claim—including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering—and help you understand the timeframe for filing a claim or lawsuit, which is governed by a statute of limitations.