What to Do After You’re Injured in a Car Accident
No one wants to get in a car accident, and it is can be a terrifying experience. You may have been injured in the accident, and you must understand what to do next. Use the tips below to recover from your accident, get the compensation you deserve, and protect your family.
Call 911
The first thing you need to do after being injured in a car accident is call 911. If you’re physically unable to do so due to your injuries, have someone else call on your behalf. Depending on the severity of your injuries, immediate medical attention will be a number one priority. What’s more, police responding to the crash will be able to conduct traffic control to give paramedics the space needed to treat your injuries.
Take Pictures at the Scene of the Accident
You or someone you know should take pictures at the scene of the accident to show what happened. The police do not take pictures when they create an accident report, and you might get the only viable information from the accident scene. Take pictures or video of the scene of the accident. Do your best to capture the road conditions in your images.
Hire a Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer will be invaluable after you have been hurt. You can offer all the information you have about the accident to your lawyer. Your lawyer will investigate the case, determine who is responsible, and help you file a lawsuit. An expert personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve after the accident.
Go to the Doctor
You must go to the doctor immediately. A doctor can give you the medical care that you need, and they will explain what has happened to your body because of the accident. If you have not spoken to a doctor, you might have hidden or internal injuries that no one can see. You may also be painted as a fraud in court if you wait a long time to see the doctor. The defense will claim that you waited to file your lawsuit because you realized how much money you could get.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
You should report the accident to your insurance company per your policy. You should not give the insurance company a full statement, however, because they might not pay if they think you are to blame for the accident. Allow your lawyer to prepare a statement for the insurance company that can be used for your claim.
Let Your Lawyer Guide You Through the Legal Process
You should let your lawyer guide you through the legal process. Your lawyer has a lot of experience filing lawsuits because of accidents, and they will explain how the legal process will play out. You should not contact the other driver, and you should forward all phone calls or letters from that lawyer to your representative.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
You need to get better as fast as you can, and you must follow your doctor’s treatment plan. The treatment plan will be used in court to show how much it will cost for you to recover, and you sue for future medical expenses if you need physical therapy or have been disabled.
Try to Go Back to Work
If you can go back to work after recovering from your injuries, you will feel like you have something to do every day. People who are out of work often feel listless or like there is no reason to keep living. If you cannot go back to work, you should try to interact with your family as much as possible. Your lawyer will sue for lost wages if you cannot return to work.
Conclusion
When you have been injured in a car accident, you should use all the steps above to obtain compensation, recover, and get back to a normal life. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries, lost wages, and any expenses you incurred after the accident.