A car accident can be extremely scary for everyone involved, and whether it is a minor fender bender or a full-on collision, the aftermath of a car accident can be a time when decisions need to be made because lives hang in the balance. Here’s how to keep yourself safe directly after a car accident.
Call 911
While bystanders or other people involved in the accident might do this for you, you should attempt to call an ambulance or an Air Ambulance1 if you can. Do your best to remain calm and share all the information asked of you clearly, and describe any injuries you or your passengers might have.
Additionally, cooperate fully with the investigating officers when they arrive at the scene, and write down any names, and badge numbers, as well as whether they are city police officers or department of public safety officers.
Of course, if it’s a minor fender bender then you might not need to call 911, but you should always call for help if you are in a major accident.
Stop Immediately and Warn Oncoming Traffic
If you are involved in a collision and do not stop after a car accident, then you can face criminal penalties. So stop and try to pull to the side of the road to not block traffic, and stay at the scene of the accident. If this is happening at night, turn on your lights to warn other drivers.
Perform Any First Aid You Can
While you shouldn’t move any critically injured patients, make sure to stop any bleeding and provide any other first aid that you can. Doing what you can before the ambulance arrives can be the difference between life and death for anyone who is injured. Afterward, once your life is out of danger and you are in recovery. It would be best if you underwent physical treatment and enjoyed chiropractic treatment benefits to address any underlying issue that may arise in the future, even though you didn’t feel it as of now. Having a health professional examine your body’s movement and any possible issues is good.
Once You’re Safe, You Need to Call an Experienced Lawyer
Once the immediate aftermath of the car accident is done, then here’s the second step you need to follow, hiring a car accident lawyer. Calling an experienced lawyer is what you should do after a car accident because they can work to protect you from the other drivers’ insurance companies and can also ensure that you are given the compensation you deserve after a car accident.
If the car accident was not your fault, then you need to work with a lawyer because you can get compensation for any injuries or damages suffered during the accident. A good lawyer will be able to examine the police crash report to know what happened and advise you on what actions to take depending on your case and the state where the incident happened.
Additionally, the insurance companies of the other drivers might call you and start pressuring you to deliver a recorded statement or sign something, and you should contact your lawyer before doing any of these things. It is also important to avoid discussing fault or downplaying injuries because all insurance companies (even your own) will want to pay less money.
Even if it never becomes a car accident lawsuit, you should still make sure that you communicate with the best auto accident attorney and have their eyes on you while you go through the process of managing your car accident. They will be able to look over everything before you sign it and can make sure that you are getting the most money possible.
Above All, Stay Calm Through The Whole Process
A car accident can be a time when your emotions will run extremely high, and that will likely continue into the aftermath as well. So make sure that you are approaching the situation calmly and you will get much better results, and will also make better decisions that will keep you and your passengers safe.