This can be a terrifying experience and, if you’re hurt, a painful one. The first thing you should do is assess any injuries you have and try to get out of the roadway if you’re able to move. The last thing you need is to be hit by a second vehicle, and unfortunately, we’ve seen cases where that happened.
Once you’ve made it safely to the sidewalk, call 911 to report the accident and ask for an ambulance for your injuries. Even if they don’t seem serious at the time, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a professional. In some accidents, injuries can be much more serious than they seem initially and may not show symptoms until a few hours or days later. If the paramedics recommend going to the hospital for further evaluation, take their advice.
Ideally, the driver who hit you should pull over safely, get out, and check on you. They should call for help if you’re unable to do so and stay with you until emergency services arrive. You can take this time to exchange contact and insurance info for later.
Fortunately, this is what happens in most cases, but sometimes we also see hit-and-run scenarios. In the event that the vehicle simply drives off, try to get the license plate number, or make a note of what the car looks like so you can tell the authorities later.