What To Do After Being In A Car Crash

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Graphic stating Each Year, Over Six Million Automobile Accidents Occur In The US.

Each Year, Over Six Million Automobile Accidents Occur In The US.

Fortunately for us, the majority of them are minor and involve only property damage without causing serious injury to the vehicles’ occupants. But here is what to do after being in a car crash.

However, approximately one-third of accidents result in personal injury to the drivers or passengers.

Around 20% of those accidents result in fatal injuries.

Here’s how to best substantiate your automobile accident claim.

While automobile accidents are undoubtedly stressful for everyone involved, an Arizona Car Accident Chiropractor can assist you.

If you are ever involved in a car crash, you should know what to do.

And statistics indicate that you will almost certainly become involved in one.

The following article will outline what you should do and the steps you should take following a car accident.

Graphic stating Stop Take a Deep Breath, Protect The Scene, Call The Police

Stop Take Deep Breath, Protect The Scene, Call The Police

The first thing you should do following an accident is fairly self-explanatory; you must stop.

Never leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor.

Pull to the side of the road if possible; if not, set up flares or turn on your flashers if you do not have flares.

The vehicles involved in the accident should remain in place unless they become a hazard to oncoming traffic.

If it is dark and your lights have been damaged in the accident, take a flashlight with you to keep you safe while you wait on the side of the road.

Additionally, you should always contact the police, even if no serious injuries have occurred or if the other parties do not want you to.

A police report is required if you need to file an insurance claim, even if the claim is for minor vehicle damage.

Graphic stating Assure the Safety of Everyone

Assure the Safety of Everyone After Being In A Car Crash

If you have sustained a serious injury, remain still, try not to move, and wait for emergency services.

If you are not seriously injured, check on your passengers as well as those involved in the accident.

If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately if no one else has done so already.

If anyone involved in the crash appears to be impaired by drugs or alcohol, inform the 911 dispatcher when you call.

Again, regardless of the extent of the accident damage or injuries, you should always contact the police.

Many insurance companies will not cover an accident unless a police report is obtained.

Once everyone is safe and secure, it’s time to begin gathering information.

Graphic stating Collect Information Of Everyone Involved

Collect Information

If someone else caused your accident and you wish to be compensated for your losses, this is a critical step.

You must gather as much information about the accident as possible.

Begin by gathering information from other individuals involved in the accident.

Collect the information such as:

  • Names and contact information from the involved parties.
  • Vehicle descriptions
  • Driver’s license numbers
  • License plates
  • Information about insurance policies and policy numbers.
  • Eyewitnesses’ names and contact information
  • The accident scene’s address or location.
  • The responding police officers’ names and badge numbers

Additionally, you should take as many photographs as possible of the accident scene using your cell phone.

Take photographs of the vehicles if there is visible damage, and also of any visible injuries.

Simply avoid interfering with an ongoing police investigation.

Graphic stating Limit Your Conversations And Opinions

Limit Your Conversations And Opinions

When discussing the accident, even with the police, it is critical to keep your conversation brief and avoid admitting fault or liability.

Answer the police questions truthfully, but refrain from saying more than is necessary.

And confide in only the police, medical professionals, and your personal injury attorney about your accident.

Additionally, you should never sign a document unless it is for the police or an insurance agent.

Even then, never sign anything from your insurance agent without first consulting with an experienced car accident attorney.

Graphic stating Report The Car Collision To Your Insurance Company

Report The Car Collision To Your Insurance Company

Notify the insurance companies involved as soon as possible, but consult with your attorney first.

Numerous insurance policies require immediate reporting and full cooperation, but do not divulge any information beyond what is required.

Determine which coverages and benefits are included in your plan, such as medical coverage or personal injury protection.

You may have to pay an additional fee for these coverages, such as medpay, but you should take advantage of them.

If you do have medpay, you must submit any medical bills incurred as a result of the accident to your insurance company.

After you’ve exhausted your med pay benefits, your private health insurance becomes your primary insurer.

Med Pay benefits are available to all vehicle occupants, and you should not see an increase in your rates as a result of filing a claim for med pay coverage.

Graphic stating Consult A Personal Injury Attorney

Consult A Personal Injury Attorney

One of the most critical things you can do to protect your rights following a car accident is to speak with an attorney.

Your attorney understands how to protect your rights following an accident and will ensure that all relevant evidence is gathered and used to your advantage.

As previously stated, your insurance company will require a statement shortly after your accident.

Before making this statement, you should seek legal advice from an experienced attorney.

Your attorney will ensure that you say nothing that could jeopardize your claim. They will advise you on matters that will ensure you receive full compensation from the insurance companies for property damage and medical expenses.

Additionally, you will not be concerned with the cost of your personal injury attorney because they work on a contingency fee basis.

This means you will not be charged a fee unless and until your attorney obtains compensation for your damages.

Additionally, it’s critical to keep in mind that each state has a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for filing personal injury claims, and it begins to run the moment you become aware of your injury.

You have a limited amount of time to resolve your claim, and once that time period expires, you forfeit your right to sue.

Your insurance company is under no obligation to assist you in resolving your case prior to that deadline, which is why it is critical to retain the services of an injury attorney who will protect your claim.

Graphic stating Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Motor vehicle accident injuries are not always immediately apparent.

Many accident victims do not feel pain immediately following the accident, but begin to feel pain hours, days, or even weeks later.

Without seeing a medical professional, there is no way to be certain you were not injured in an accident, so you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out any injuries.

Even in low-speed collisions or minor fender benders, a severe and sometimes permanent injury to the spinal cord is possible.

If you experienced a loss of consciousness following the accident, you may have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

These injuries, if left untreated, can haunt you for the rest of your life.

Graphic stating Contact Collision Injury Auto Accident Treatment Care Clinic

Consult A Chiropractor After being In A Car Crash

Chiropractic treatments are extremely beneficial following automobile accidents because they can realign your spine following whiplash or another accident-related injury.

Chiropractic care can also help you make a stronger insurance claim.

By seeing a chiropractic physician following a car crash, you may be able to alleviate pain throughout your body, as spinal manipulations release pain-relieving hormones.

Additionally, a chiropractic adjustment can restore range of motion by realigning your joints and mobilizing your spine.

Additionally, chiropractic treatments are non-invasive and do not require the use of addictive pain medications or invasive surgery.

Seeing a chiropractor soon after your accident may completely eliminate the need for future surgery.

 

 

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