If you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are some things to consider to make sure you are protected. First, always stop at the scene of the accident. It’s your legal obligation, even though you might not think there was any damage. You need to stop your car if an incident happens while driving.
Then, you should determine if the fault was yours or the other driver caused the accident. But usually, the insurance company will investigate and determine who’s at fault. However, you should never assume responsibility for the accident. Let the car insurance company state if you should or should not assume responsibility or liability in such situations. If they should take care of your claim, then let them do the talking.
In this article, we’re going to talk about why accidents occur, and how to handle one.
Why do accidents occur?
Every year, thousands if not say millions of road accidents occur across the world. People get involved in car accidents mostly because they don’t pay attention while they drive. Road accidents can occur because drivers do certain activities such as:
- Carry phone conversations
- Texting
- Change music
- Eat
- Drink
- Tiredness
- Speeding
These aren’t important things that one should do while driving. Even the most experienced driver cannot be in complete control while driving. Make sure to pay full attention when you drive with passengers. Don’t risk anyone’s life!
Ok, so while we can’t control what happens on the road, let’s say you’ve just been involved in a car accident. Regardless of who is at fault, you must focus on determining what to do at the scene of the accident. There are lots of ways to avoid a car accident, but once it happens, there’s no way back. So, this checklist will help you know what to do after a car crash. You can even print it and keep it with you in the car, so you can access it in case of an accident.
Determine if someone is injured
No one ever expects to get involved in an accident. But it can happen in the blink of an eye. No one will ever be prepared for the worst – so, here’s what you should immediately do after the accident:
- Stop the car and turn off the engine
- Switch the hazards lights on
- Check if people are injured
- If there are no injuries, you should still call the police and the ambulance
- Try to remain calm – it’s normal to be scared and shocked, but take deep breaths and address the situation the best you can
- Don’t get angry – it’s not going to help anyone
- Don’t start to apologize or assume responsibility for the accident if it’s not your fault
- Get details from other people who witnessed the accident
- Call the police as soon as possible. If you’re not going to address the accident within 24 hours, you may be disqualified from driving
Aside from the other important things to take care of in case of an accident, checking if someone is injured is perhaps the first thing to consider. How to determine if someone is injured? There are a couple of symptoms you should be aware of after a car accident:
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- PTSD
- Numbness
- Behavioral changes
Car accidents happen every day, but some of them lead to injuries. You should never ignore the signs in case of an accident. Just because you’re able to walk, and feel ok, that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger. There could be injuries you’ve suffered that won’t be noticed for several hours after the accident.
Get compensation
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and suffered a fracture, then you have the legal right to claim compensation. For this reason, it’s important to speak with an expert for guidance on making claims for your broken leg, for example. A auto accident attorney can handle your case from that point on.
So, what do you need to know about making claim compensation for your broken leg?
A fracture is when a break in a bone appears. Fibula or tibia fractures are common and can range in severity. Of course, there are other fractures which may create tissue damage, or even more severe ones called compound fracture. It’s when a bone breaks through the skin.
So, to successfully claim negligence for leg fracture, you shouldn’t limit your options and look for a car accident lawyer. There are many financial losses for your broken leg, and medical expenses are given for such severe injury. But you should analyze the long-term financial impact. Consider all your lost earnings, both now and in the future. Think about how many events you’re going to cancel, such as weddings and holidays. Your whole life could change because of the accident. But all of these may be combined and form your special damage claim. For many more details, please contact a personal injury lawyer now.
Contact the police
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, one of the first things you should do is to call the police. Again, it’s your legal responsibility to address the accident to the law enforcement. If there are serious car injuries, of course, you should call 911 as soon as possible, even before calling the police. Protect the accident scene, and determine and document the cause of it. It may be possible that the law enforcement tells you to exchange information with the other driver. So, you should get his or hers:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
- Policy number
- Car insurance number
Getting information on car accidents is essential. If you’re not too hurt and need medical care, of course.
Also, don’t forget to speak to an experienced lawyer right after the accident. Other people may choose to wait longer before they call legal representation because they feel worried, or shocked. But it’s the best you can do to help you in many ways.
Interesting Related Article: “Essential Car Safety And Maintenance Tips To Avoid Accidents“