No-one wants to think about being involved in a car accident but sadly, they happen every day. It can be difficult to know what to do when you’ve been injured in a car accident. You may be in shock and you may make mistakes you regret later on.
If you’re aware of what to do in advance, it can make all the difference. So, here are some things to always remember in the event you or someone you know is injured in a car accident.
1. Stick Around
The worst thing you can do after being in a car accident is to leave the scene. Even if you feel fine at the time, you may start to feel different as time passes. In addition, if you stay at the scene, you can be sure to get an adequate police report.
If an ambulance is called, you’ll be checked over. This means you’ll be able to get access to your medical report if you should need it too.
2. Protect Others
By staying close to the scene, you can protect others from having the same accident as you. This is especially important if the accident happens during the night or during poor weather conditions.
You can help by turning on your warning lights, setting up flares, and calling the police. If your vehicle is in a dangerous place, move to safety but stay as close to the scene as you can.
3. Contact the Police
Many people make the mistake of driving away from minor accidents without reporting them. Even the smallest of accidents should be reported to the police. If you choose to file a claim with your insurance company at a later date, you’ll need the police report to progress quickly.
Your police report will ensure that no insurance company can argue with the events that took place leading to the accident.
4. Be Accurate
An inaccurate report could come back to haunt you. When the police arrive at the scene, you’ll be questioned as to what happened and what was the cause of the accident. Don’t be tempted into lying, embellishing the truth, or guessing.
Tell the police what you know and only what you know. If you’re untruthful in your report, you could be caught out via CCTV footage, dashcam footage, witness reports, or more. If you aren’t sure how to answer a question, say so.
5. Take Pictures
When you’ve been injured in an accident, the last thing you’ll think about is taking your camera out. Your health and well-being should always be your first priority but it can help to take pictures of the scene.
When you’ve been in an accident, it can cause shock and your memory may not visualize things as well once your adrenaline has dropped. Taking photos of what happened may help you to jog your memory at a later date. It’s also a form of evidence should you need to make a claim.
6. Talk to the Other Driver
If the police are at the scene, they will collect statements from everyone that’s involved in the accident. However, if the police aren’t at the scene, it’s worth collecting your own information from other people.
Exchange insurance details with other drivers and talk about how the accident happened. Collect information from any eyewitnesses and ask them for their contact details. They may be able to provide a statement for a claim at a later date.
7. Check Your Insurance Documents
Many insurance companies ask you to report the accident as quickly as possible. Reading through your documents and contacting your insurance company will give you a better understanding of what you’re entitled to.
For example, some policies include Medpay which could cover the cost of any medical treatment or hospital stays for anyone in your vehicle. Using your Medpay cover shouldn’t mean that your insurance rates rise.
8. Go to Hospital
No-one likes having to go to the hospital but avoiding necessary medical care could make the situation much worse in the long run. Even something like whiplash needs to be diagnosed and treated over a course of time.
Many people involved in car accidents don’t feel any pain until 24-48 hours after the accident. That’s why it’s so important to get checked even when you feel fine. It is especially important to seek medical attention if you lost consciousness or feel dazy.
Your medical report can be used in your insurance claim, along with any statements from paramedics or doctors and nurses.
9. Keep Track
Insurance claims can be dragged out for months for a good reason. People tend to quickly forget what they’re entitled to. It’s a good idea to keep track of everything related to your accident. Whether it’s medical expenses, car repairs, time off work, or anything else.
Even if you think you won’t be entitled to claim the money back, it’s worth keeping receipts in a file along with the accident records and your insurance documents.
10. Legal Advice
Making an insurance claim can be a complicated matter and many people end up feeling cheated during the process because they were unaware of certain things. Consulting with a legal advisor will allow you to be sure of what you’re entitled to.
If you feel that you’ve been treated unfairly, your lawyer may be able to step in on your behalf and get you the compensation you rightly deserve.
Injured in a Car Accident: What You Need to Know
When you’re injured in a car accident, it’s important not to rush any of your decisions. Take your time and collect as much evidence as possible. However, your health should always be the number one priority, so you may want to ask a family member to act on your behalf.
Take a look at some more professional advice and get a free consultation today.
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