No driver expects to hit a pedestrian, but these accidents occur more often than many realize. Even if the pedestrian insists they are not injured, the situation can carry serious legal and financial consequences. Minor accidents sometimes develop into larger claims days or weeks later. That’s why handling everything properly from the very beginning is so important.
If you find yourself in this stressful situation, working with a San Diego car accident lawyer from Avrek Law Firm can protect you. Their attorneys have decades of experience handling pedestrian cases and know how to guide drivers through every step, determining fault along the way.
Step One: Stop and Stay Calm
After a crash you might be wondering, “Now what?” The first rule after any collision with a pedestrian is to stop. Even if it seems like no harm was done, leaving the scene is considered a hit-and-run under California law. That can result in fines, a suspended license, or even criminal charges.
Turn on your hazard lights, make sure the pedestrian is safe, and avoid escalating the situation. A simple accident can become more stressful if tempers rise. Take a deep breath and remember that how you handle the first few minutes matters a great deal.
Contacting a car accident lawyer in San Diego afterward ensures you’re protected from mistakes that can come back later. Avrek Law Firm is known for helping drivers respond correctly in these high-pressure moments.
Step Two: Call the Police
Even if there are no visible injuries, call the police. Officers will document what happened, speak to witnesses, and prepare a report. That report may prove invaluable if the pedestrian later claims they suffered an injury.
Many injuries, especially to the head or back, do not show up immediately. A person might feel fine at the scene but develop pain hours later. Without a police report, it may be your word against theirs.
The best car accident lawyer in San Diego can use that report to support your case. Avrek attorneys are skilled at reviewing official documents, identifying important details, and ensuring their clients are not unfairly blamed.
Step Three: Exchange Information
Like any vehicle accident, you need to exchange information. Provide your driver’s license, insurance card, and contact details. Ask for the pedestrian’s information as well.
Don’t forget to look for witnesses. If anyone nearby saw what happened, politely ask for their name and phone number. Their statement could become a key piece of evidence.
Photos are just as valuable. Take pictures of the road, crosswalks, signals, weather conditions, and anything else that helps explain the circumstances. A San Diego car accident attorney can later use these details to build a strong defense on your behalf.
Step Four: Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if no one is injured, you must report the accident to your insurance company. Failure to do so could lead to problems later if the pedestrian files a claim. Be honest but stick to the facts. Avoid speculating about fault or offering opinions.
Insurance companies may try to reduce their responsibility by pointing blame at the driver. Working with San Diego car accident attorneys like those at Avrek prevents you from being pressured into accepting unfair liability. Their legal team deals directly with insurers, so you don’t have to face difficult conversations alone.
Step Five: Watch for Delayed Injury Claims
One of the biggest risks after hitting a pedestrian is a delayed injury claim. Even when a person feels fine, injuries such as whiplash, back pain, or concussion symptoms may not appear until later.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,500 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2020, while many others reported injuries that were not immediately obvious. This statistic highlights why every pedestrian accident, no matter how minor, must be taken seriously.
A car accident attorney in San Diego from Avrek will be ready to handle these delayed claims. They know how to respond if new medical bills or demands suddenly appear weeks after the incident.
Step Six: Understand Potential Liability
Even if the pedestrian wasn’t injured, questions of liability may surface. They may later argue that the driver failed to yield, drove distracted, or ignored a crosswalk. California’s traffic laws often favor pedestrians, which can place drivers at a disadvantage if they don’t have representation.
Avrek Law Firm has decades of experience defending clients in these cases. Their attorneys analyze accident reports, review camera footage, and question witness statements to ensure the truth comes forward. With a San Diego car accident lawyer on your side, you won’t be left facing liability claims on your own.
Step Seven: Consider the Bigger Picture
Accidents involving pedestrians can affect more than insurance rates or liability disputes. They may lead to DMV hearings, license points, or personal injury lawsuits. Even when no one appears injured at first, the situation can quickly grow into a bigger legal issue.
Drivers often underestimate how complex these cases can become. By contacting a car accident lawyer in San Diego right away, you set yourself up for stronger protection down the road. Avrek Law Firm knows how to manage these cases from start to finish, providing drivers with the confidence that nothing will be overlooked.
Why Avrek Law Firm Is the Right Choice
Avrek Law Firm has recovered $2 Billion in compensation for clients and built a reputation as one of California’s most trusted personal injury firms. Their attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience, and they focus on ensuring clients don’t get taken advantage of by insurance companies or unfair claims.
Whether it’s a major injury case or a situation where the pedestrian insists they’re unhurt, Avrek treats each case with the same level of care. Their team knows that even small incidents can have lasting consequences. Having the best car accident lawyer in San Diego from Avrek means having someone who pays attention to the details that matter most.
Call Avrek Law Firm Today
If you’ve hit a pedestrian, even one who isn’t injured, don’t take chances. Protect yourself by following the right steps and securing legal help immediately. A San Diego car accident lawyer from Avrek Law Firm is available day and night to answer questions, handle insurance issues, and defend your rights.
Call Avrek Law Firm’s 24/7 line at 866-598-5548, chat with someone online, or submit a form today for a free case evaluation. Don’t wait until it’s too late—get the support you need right now.
