After a crash, the biggest difference between a weak claim and a strong one is often what happens immediately afterward.
- Get medical care and document symptoms (even if you think the injury is minor). Some pedestrian injuries—like concussion, neck/back strains, and soft-tissue trauma—can worsen over days.
- Report the incident properly and make sure the crash details are recorded. If there’s any chance your case involves a hit-and-run, reporting accurately becomes even more critical.
- Preserve evidence while it’s still available: photos of the scene, vehicle position, crosswalk markings, lighting conditions, and any visible debris.
- Write down key facts while they’re fresh: where you entered the crosswalk, what the traffic signals were doing, whether the driver looked distracted, and what witnesses said.
If you’re dealing with an insurer asking for a statement, be careful—what you say early can be used later to minimize injuries or shift blame.


