Do’s and Don’ts After You Hit a Pedestrian in Nevada

After an accident involving a pedestrian, there are numerous things you need to keep in mind so that you do not make the incident worse. While you may be under the assumption that the pedestrian has the right of way and you will be arrested, do not assume anything. The circumstances of the accident will still be assessed and what is important is that you remain calm and know what to do immediately after the accident. To ensure you act appropriately if you hit a pedestrian, there are some do’s and don’ts explained below.

Liability in a Pedestrian Accident

After hitting a pedestrian, you could face civil and criminal penalties in Nevada, but the circumstances of the accident will be considered first. For example, if you were not breaking the law and instead the pedestrian jumped in front of your vehicle, you may not face any penalties. If, however, you were not paying attention or ran a red light, you could face both criminal and civil charges. It is best you speak to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney that specialized in pedestrian accidents after these types of accidents to explore your options.

What to Do (and Not Do) After an Accident with a Pedestrian

• Do stop your vehicle. If you hit anyone, including a pedestrian, you need to stop your vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident. It is a crime in Nevada to leave the scene of an accident and harsh penalties will be added if you leave the scene where injuries occurred.
• Do get out of your vehicle and check on the pedestrian. If they are seriously injured, contact 911 immediately.
• Do call the police. Any incidents involving a pedestrian should be reported to the police right away. Having a police report may help you later on – especially if you are trying to prove that the pedestrian caused the accident.
• Don’t hide any evidence or details from the police. While you may be tempted to leave details out or even throw out evidence, don’t do it. Police will investigate the accident and if you appear to have hidden or destroyed evidence, it could make you look guilty.
• Do cooperate with the investigation. While you have the right to have an attorney present, you still need to cooperate with the investigation. You can kindly request an attorney’s presence before answering questions, but never come off as combative or uncooperative.
• Do take photographs at the scene. If you can, take photographs of the accident scene including where your vehicle struck the pedestrian, weather conditions, the witnesses at the scene, etc.
• Do get the names of witnesses. If there are other vehicles that stop or people on the street that witnessed the accident, make sure you get their contact information. This could assist you in a criminal case as well as in a civil case later on.
• Don’t discuss the case with anyone. The only person that you should discuss the details of the accident with is your attorney. Insurance companies, police and others may approach you to inquire about the accident, but your silence is important. Anything you say can be used against you in court.
• Do contact a criminal attorney right away. Because of the serious penalties you face after hitting a pedestrian, it is important that you contact a criminal defense attorney right away.

Did You Hit a Pedestrian? Contact De Castroverde Law Group Now

If you were involved in an accident with a pedestrian, contact the attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group today. We can assist you with both the criminal and civil cases you may face. To get started, schedule a consultation with an attorney by calling 702-222-9999 or fill out an online contact form with your questions.