Even if you’re not technically a pedestrian, you still have to watch out for vehicles. This is especially true in situations where you pull over to the side of a road. This is a very dangerous scenario, as a story from WAVE shows.
According to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, a man was seriously injured when he was struck by a car on US-31 in West Point on Monday, August 5, 2024. The man was driving a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer of lumber. He pulled over when some of the lumber came loose. As he was securing the lumber, another car crashed into the man and the trailer. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, but is expected to survive.
What Can You Do If You’re Hit by a Car While You’re Pulled Over?
Even though it’s quite dangerous, sometimes you have to pull over to the side of the road when there’s an emergency or there’s something wrong with your vehicle. As the story above shows, though, this can leave you facing very serious accidents.
But you still have to do certain things when these accidents happen to protect your rights. This includes doing many of the same things that you would do in any other car accident situation:
- Call 911 – Because your health is always the first priority, call 911 so an ambulance can respond to the scene. Get medical care from EMTs to stabilize you.
- Report the accident to police – Also, call the local police, whether it be the county sheriff’s department, city police, or Kentucky State Police. They’ll also respond to the scene and take down information about the accident.
- Exchange information – Swap contact and insurance information with all parties involved, including names, contact details, insurance policy numbers, and vehicle registrations. This information is vital for filing claims and figuring out liability.
- Document the scene – Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries. This will provide critical evidence for your claim, giving a visual look at the accident and damage.
- Report the accident to your insurance company – Call your insurance company as soon as you can, and give them a detailed account of the accident, the exchanged information, and any photos or videos. Early reporting helps in processing your claim.
Following these steps protects your rights and makes handling the accident easier. Afterward, contact our Kentucky car accident lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC. We’ll help you evaluate your claim and guide you through the next steps.
Contact Kaufman & Stigger For Help After a Kentucky Car Accident
When you’re in a car accident in Kentucky, the help of our car accident lawyers can make a big difference in your ability to recover. We’ll help you through the legal process and make sure you have a strong claim for your damages like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
You never want to experience injuries in any type of car accident, let alone one that happens when you’re in an emergency lane or just on the side of the road dealing with your car. Our team will be there to help. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.
