What to Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Car?

Getting hit by a car… it’s one of those things you never think will happen until it does. And when it does, wow, it’s overwhelming.

Most of the time, you might not know what to do if you’re hit by a car. And that’s completely understandable. You’re in shock, maybe hurt, brain racing a mile a minute. Do you move? Do you call someone? It’s a lot.

The truth is, what you do right after really matters—for your health, but also if you ever need to deal with insurance or a legal case down the line.

What To Do If You’re Hit By A Car: Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Protect Yourself

Here are some of the things that you must do after a car accident if you are planning to stay safe legally:

1. Check For Injuries And Get To Safety

First thing—are you hurt? Like really stop and check. If you can move, try to get out of traffic because cars don’t just stop for long. Call 911 right away.

Emergency crews will show up, and even if you’re telling yourself “I’m fine,” don’t trust it. Some injuries are sneaky—they don’t show up until later. Get checked anyway.

2. Contact Law Enforcement

Don’t skip the police. A lot of folks think it’s overkill if it seems minor, but the report they file? It can save you later.

Officers will write down what happened, maybe talk to witnesses, and note if someone broke traffic laws. That report is basically evidence if you ever need to fight for compensation.

3. Record Key Details At The Location

If you’re in a state to do it (and only if), start grabbing details. Seriously, your phone is your best friend here:

• Driver’s info (name, phone, insurance).
• Snap pictures—your injuries, the car, the street, weather, all of it.
• Get witness names and numbers if anyone saw it happen.

You might think you’ll remember, but trust me, shock makes your memory fuzzy. Photos don’t forget.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance as soon as you can. But here’s a tip—don’t start guessing or blaming yourself or downplaying your injuries.

Just stick to facts: where, when, who. Honestly, it’s smart to talk to a lawyer first so you don’t say something that comes back to bite you.

5. Speak With A Lawyer

And yeah, let’s talk lawyers. A good auto accident lawyer in Tustin can take a load off your shoulders.

They’ll deal with insurance companies (who, let’s be real, are not on your side) and explain exactly what your rights are.

That could mean getting money for hospital bills, lost paychecks, or just the mess this accident dumped into your life.

MJB Law Group, APC, handles this kind of thing all the time. Their whole deal is fighting to make sure victims don’t get left hanging.

6. Follow Through With Medical Treatment

Next, on the list of things that you should do after a car accident is following through with your treatment. Basically, if a doctor tells you to come back, go back. If they give you meds or therapy, stick with it.

Not just because it helps you heal (which, duh, it does), but also because all those records—every prescription, every appointment—are proof of what the accident did to your life.

Additionally, you need to understand that skipping such things gives insurance companies an excuse to say, “Well, maybe it wasn’t that bad.”

7. Be Mindful Of Legal Deadlines

Here’s the boring-but-crucial part: deadlines. California has strict time limits, called statutes of limitations. Miss them, and poof—your right to compensation is gone. No second chances.

That’s another reason calling a lawyer early is worth it. They’ll keep track so you don’t lose out just because of a missed date.

What Is The Cost Of A Car Accident Lawyer?

Now that you know what to do if you’re hit by a car, you must have already understood that hiring a lawyer is very important. However, car crash victims often worry about their budget.

The cost of hiring a car accident attorney varies a lot. Most of the time, it depends on things like:

• The complexities of the case.
• A range of possible outcomes for the case.
• The expertise and skill of the lawyer.
• The agreed payment plan structure.

Some of the most common and typical fee arrangements when car accident lawyers are involved are as follows:

Contingency Fees

It is the most prevalent method of charging in car accident and personal injury cases. In such a system:

• The lawyer’s portion of the funds is linked to the success of the court battle.
• From the total sum of money either agreed as a settlement or awarded by the court, you pay the lawyer a set share. In most cases, this ranges from 25% to 40%.

Put in other words, you normally would not have to give attorney fees in advance.

On the other hand, you might be required to cover all the incident-related costs and payouts, no matter what the result is in the case. These generally include the charges for:

• Filing the lawsuit.
• Hiring the expert witness.
• Medical records.

It is very important to check the exact relationship in the contingency fee contract between the lawyer and the client regarding these expenses.

Hourly Rates

Some lawyers might opt for an hourly-based billing structure if the service provided is limited, like preparing a demand letter or giving brief legal advice.

• The hourly rate varies between $150 and $400 or more, depending on the lawyer’s skill and location.
• Typically, you will have to deposit a retainer upfront, which will be used to pay these hours.

Flat Fees

In the case of straightforward cases or when the lawyer is asked to do a specific task like writing a will or transferring the ownership of a property, the lawyer will charge a flat fee. This allows the client to know exactly how much these services will cost.

Hire Your Lawyer For A Smoother Outcome

Look, getting hit by a car is terrifying. But the hours and days after? They’re even more important than you think. Take care of yourself first, gather what proof you can, and don’t wait too long to get legal help.

The team at MJB Law Group, APC has walked plenty of people through this mess. If you or someone you care about just went through it, call a lawyer who knows the ropes. It’s not about being dramatic—it’s about making sure you’re protected from the start.

Read Also:

• Massachusetts Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury: How Long After an Injury Can You File Your Claim?
• What to Expect From a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Crash
• Sexual Assault Lawyer: Know How to Choose the Right One!