No one gets behind the wheel thinking they might get involved in a traffic accident, but if we consult a few statistics, we can see that unfortunately, the risk of getting into a car crash these days is quite high. This doesn’t mean that you should project the worst-case scenario when hitting the road, but you should always be aware of the risks.
Car accidents are traumatic events that can leave both emotional and physical scars behind, depending on their severity. For those who go through such an unpleasant experience, it’s extremely important to know what to do after the accident. The problem is that right after the impact, it can be extremely difficult for the victims to pull themselves together and keep a cool head, especially if they’ve suffered serious injuries. People are often confused, scared, or downright shocked, so thinking clearly is not that easy.
But if you know exactly what to do after being involved in a car accident, you have greater chances of minimizing and avoiding further loss and damage. So, if you want to make your recovery easier and protect yourself in such situations, here are a few aspects that you should keep in mind.
1. Get to Safety
The first thing that you should do after a car crash is to make sure that you and everyone else around you are safe, and that you don’t run the risk of suffering more damages. If you are not injured and you can move, you should get your car and other victims off the road (if they can be moved) as soon as possible. Other vehicles can come your way and create a chain reaction, resulting in one collision after another. That’s why you and all the other drivers and passengers involved in the crash should get to the side of the road if possible and get out of harm’s way.
2. Check for Injuries
The impact of the accident will give you an adrenaline rush, so you probably won’t feel any pain right away, making you think that you are alright and you haven’t suffered any injuries. But the reality can be completely different. Instead of relying on your senses to assess your health condition, you should visually look for signs of injuries on your body.
Try not to make any sudden movements while checking for injuries, as some of the wounds might be internal and you won’t have any way of knowing how serious they are until you get proper medical care. If you come to the concussion that you have no serious injuries, you can check on other accident victims to make sure they are safe.
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3. Call the Emergency Number
Once you’ve made sure you’re out of danger, you must immediately contact the relevant authorities. If there were any witnesses at the scene of the accident, they might have taken care of that already, but if you’re not sure about it, you should call the emergency number yourself.
The sooner you notify the authorities about the accident, the sooner they’ll get to you and help you out. You should receive immediate medical attention and afterward, you should talk to the police and tell them exactly how things happened, making sure you leave nothing out. A detail that may seem insignificant to you could prove extremely important in helping authorities solve your case.
4. Document the Event
The shock caused by the accident can prevent you from remembering details clearly, and as time passes you might completely forget important information. That’s why it’s necessary to document the event right after it happens, if your health condition allows you, obviously.
If you have your phone with you, take pictures of all the cars involved in the crash, the damages you’ve suffered, as well as of the surroundings. Talk to all the people involved, including eyewitnesses, and get their contact details, so you’ll have a way to reach them if you need their help.
5. Seek Legal Advice
If you were not to blame for the accident, and you’ve suffered emotional, physical, and financial damages as a result, you are entitled to claim compensation. However, making a car accident injury claim and navigating the intricate legal system can be difficult after such a traumatic event and it can also interfere with your recovery process.
So, if you want to make your life easier after the accident and ensure you have greater chances at receiving the compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve suffered, you should seek legal advice and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your case and take care of all the legal proceedings for you.
6. Don’t Overshare
After the accident, you’ll have to notify your insurance provider about the event, and they’ll send an insurance adjuster to evaluate your case. But don’t get confused, insurance companies have no interest in helping you out. The only thing that they want is to pay as little compensation as possible to their clients. The insurance adjuster that the company will send to assess your claim and determine how much money you will receive for your damages will do everything in his power to protect the company’s interests.
So, everything that you say or do after the car accident can be used against you, to prove that your damages weren’t as serious as you claim. That’s why it’s best to be careful who you talk to and avoid oversharing information about the accident with other people.
7. Follow the Doctor’s Orders
Even if you’re feeling better after a while, it doesn’t mean you should stop taking the treatment that your doctor prescribed. Keep in mind that the insurance company will also look into these aspects when evaluating your case, so following doctor’s orders is important for both your health and your compensation claim.
Make sure you don’t miss medical appointments and keep a detailed record of all your doctor visits, treatments, and all the medical procedures and investigations you went through. These documents are very important when pursuing legal action.
