Injury Management: What To Do if You’re in an Auto Accident
Unfortunately, there are over 6 million car accidents each year in the United States. Not all of these are minor, either.
It’s not uncommon for people to deal with significant pain after auto accidents. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize injury management. The good news is that dealing with the aftermath of a collision is easier than it seems.
Let’s explore everything you need to know.
Get to Safety
If you can, move your car to the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights.
If you can’t drive away, turn on your hazard lights and stay inside with your seatbelt fastened. It’s essential that you and any passengers remain calm regardless of whether you not you have to relocate.
Acting erratically will only serve to further complicate the situation. In the event that the other party acts aggressively, do your best to de-escalate.
However, you should never openly admit fault when doing so.
Call the Police
Even if the accident appears to be minor, it’s important to call the police.
The police will file an official report, which may be helpful later on. In some states, you are required by law to call the police after an accident under certain circumstances. However, calling the police will always be the best course of action due to the documentation that it provides.
The responding officer will file a police report that you can later use to prove the extent of damage that occurred.
Get Medical Attention
If you or any passengers are injured, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s still a good idea to see a doctor.
Certain injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent. It’s also important to keep in mind that failing to get medical care could prevent you from obtaining the compensation that you need if you choose to file a civil suit against the other party.
Document the Accident
If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your car and the other car involved. It’s a good idea to get the contact information and insurance information from the other driver. Witnesses can also be helpful in documenting what happened.
If possible, use your cell phone to create a video or audio recording of their statement. Have state their name, the current time, and the events as they perceived them.
Be sure you ask for permission before you begin recording, though. As a last resort, you can write down information by hand. You can give this information to your insurance company when filing a claim.
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
If you were injured in the accident, it’s important that you follow your doctor’s recommendations. This may include getting rest, icing the injured area, and avoiding strenuous activity.
Failing to follow your doctor’s orders could jeopardize your health and also make it more difficult to obtain compensation from the other party. Be sure that you keep this in mind when moving forward.
Work With an Injury Management Professional
Those with accident-related injuries may be feeling overwhelmed.
Fortunately, there are professionals who can help. An injury management specialist can guide you through the recovery process and ensure that you avoid problems you would have otherwise encountered.
When searching for a professional to work with, be sure to consider their reputation. A quick Google search can often tell you everything that you need to know.
They should also have experience working with clients who have suffered injuries similar to yours. Otherwise, they may not be familiar with the nuances of your particular case.
You should also make sure that you’re comfortable with the professional. This is someone who you will be working closely with, so it’s important that you feel like you can trust them. This will have a direct impact on the results you’re able to achieve.
What Are Common Mistakes When People Make After Accidents?
One of the most common mistakes people make after an accident is failing to get medical attention.
This can be a problem for two reasons. To clarify, it can prevent you from getting the treatment you need to recover from your injuries. It can also make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident.
Another common mistake is not calling the police. As we mentioned earlier, the police report can be a valuable piece of evidence if you choose to file a civil suit against the other party. Without it, you may have a more difficult time proving your case.
Finally, people often fail to document the accident properly. This can make it more difficult to prove what happened and who was at fault. If you’re able to, take pictures of the accident scene and get the contact information of any witnesses.
This will give you a much stronger case if you choose to take legal action. It will also help you obtain a larger amount of compensation.
Injury Management Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
It may seem difficult at first to integrate injury management, but it’s easier than you might expect it to be. Ensure that you keep the above guidelines in mind so you can avoid problems you may have encountered.
Feel free to reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help!
