
If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident in Wisconsin, your safety and health come first. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical help, even if your injuries seem minor. If you’re able, gather information from the driver, including their name, contact details, and insurance information.
Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage. Get contact information from any witnesses. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, and follow all treatment recommendations.
Finally, consider speaking with a Milwaukee pedestrian accident lawyer who understands Wisconsin law. They can protect your rights and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Ensure Immediate Safety
Your safety is the top priority after a pedestrian accident. If you are able to move, get to a safe place away from traffic. Look around and check for injuries. Some injuries may not be obvious right away, so take your time and don’t ignore any pain.
Avoid talking about who was at fault. Stay calm and wait for emergency responders to arrive. What you say at the moment can be used later, so it’s best to stick to the facts and focus on safety.
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Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
Call 911 as soon as possible after the accident. Reporting the incident to the police is important for creating an official record. This report can be helpful later if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action.
Ask for emergency medical help, even if your injuries seem small. Some injuries (like internal bleeding or concussions) might not show symptoms right away. A medical professional can check you for hidden injuries and make sure you get the care you need. Getting treatment right away also helps document your injuries.
Document the Scene
If you are able, take time to carefully document the scene before anything is moved or cleaned up. Use your phone to take clear photos of the area where the accident happened.
At the accident scene, take clear photos of:
- The overall accident scene
- Your injuries
- Any damage to vehicles or property
- Traffic signals, signs, or crosswalks
- Road conditions, such as potholes or debris
Write down the time and date of the accident, the exact location, and any weather or road conditions that may have played a role. For example, note if it was raining, if the road was slippery, or if visibility was poor.
If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. If they’re willing, have them give a brief statement about what they saw. Witnesses can be a key part of proving what happened, especially if there is a dispute later. The more details you gather, the stronger your case will be.
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Exchange Information With the Driver
After a pedestrian accident, try to get the driver’s information. Ask for the following:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- License plate number
- Make, model, and color of the vehicle
Stay calm and polite, but do not discuss who was at fault. Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault,” even if you feel shaken. These statements can be misunderstood and may be used against you later. Just focus on gathering the facts and let the police and insurance companies handle the rest.
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Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if you were walking and not driving, you should report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible. Most auto insurance policies include coverage that applies to you as a pedestrian, especially if the driver who hit you doesn’t have enough insurance or leaves the scene.
Let your insurer know the date, time, and location of the accident, and give them any information you have about the driver and vehicle involved. They may ask for a copy of the police report or photos from the scene.
Only tell them the bare minimum, because anything you say can be used against you. Let an experienced Milwaukee personal injury lawyer handle the communication with the insurance company.
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it may help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs, especially if the at-fault driver can’t cover everything. Ask your insurance company how this coverage applies to your situation, and follow their process for filing a claim.
File a Police Report
In Wisconsin, you must report any pedestrian accident that causes injury, death, or $1,000 or more in property damage. In most cases, calling 911 will bring police to the scene, and they will file a report. This report becomes an official record of what happened and can be helpful for insurance claims or legal action.
To get a copy of the police report later, contact the police department that responded to the accident or visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website. You may need to provide the accident date, location, and names of people involved. Having this report will support your claim and help prove what happened.
Call an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Wisconsin
With over 40 years invested in the Milwaukee community, our personal injury law firm stands as one of the largest and most trusted in Wisconsin. We’ve never left; Milwaukee is our home, and we take great pride in serving the people here with strong Midwestern values of hard work, honesty, and care. One Call…That’s All!
We are headquartered right here in Milwaukee, where we have built a reputation for exceptional client satisfaction. Our powerful team of over 130 experienced professionals values strong communication and meaningful relationships with every client. We believe that caring deeply about your needs leads to better results. We treat every client like a neighbor.
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