If you were injured in a car accident, it is important to take the right actions quickly in order to protect your health, your rights, and access the compensation you may need to pay for medical treatment and vehicle repairs – even a simple repair like a windscreen replacement can cost as much as $400, while an airbag replacement can cost up to $1,500. Here are 7 important steps to take if you are injured in a car accident:
Check for Car Accident Injuries
The first priority is to check for injuries and administer first aid. If anyone is bleeding heavily or seems to have major injuries, call 911 immediately. If injuries are less severe, move to a safe location away from traffic and assess the damage. Even if you think you are unharmed, get checked by emergency responders when they arrive. Adrenaline can hide symptoms of concussion or internal injuries – the CDC estimates that there are around 1.6-3.8 million concussion cases each year, with around 1.7 million car accident victims suffering from a concussion.
Call the Police
Even minor accidents should involve the police. Call 911 to report the crash and request police and EMS on the scene. Getting a formal accident report from the police is crucial for insurance claims later. The officer on the scene will interview drivers and witnesses to determine fault and issue citations if necessary. Make sure to get the officer’s name, badge number, and a copy of the report.
Document Evidence at the Scene of the Crash
While waiting for the police, take photos of the damage to all vehicles and make a note of any other evidence that could help determine fault later. Get the contact details and insurance information from the other drivers involved and any witnesses who saw what happened. If you are taken to the hospital, your belongings may not make it with you, so try to leave duplicates of evidence with a friend on the scene.
Get Medical Care After The Accident
Even if you refuse transport to the hospital by ambulance, be sure to get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries like concussions or internal bleeding have delayed symptoms that require a doctor’s diagnosis. Thoroughly document all accident-related injuries and keep records of all hospital visits, tests, treatments, and expenses. Follow all doctors’ orders carefully to ensure you recover properly. Keep records of your costs, as the average cost of hospital treatment after a car accident is around $15k.
Consult an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
It’s wise to contact an experienced attorney shortly if you are injured in a car accident for advice and to protect your legal right to compensation. An attorney can deal directly with aggressive insurance adjusters on your behalf while you focus on recovery. They can also determine if you need to file a lawsuit against any responsible parties to get payment for both economic and non-economic accident damages. The average settlement amount in the US is $75,904.
Contact Insurance Companies
Notify your insurance provider about the accident right away. Give a clear account of what happened and follow your insurer’s process for filing a claim.
Preserve Evidence
Keep any evidence related to the accident securely stored, including photos, police reports, medical records and bills, car repair estimates, and records of conversations or correspondence with insurers. Do not dispose of any vehicle parts or repair your car until expressly permitted by both the insurance company and your attorney. Tampering with evidence could negatively impact your injury claim.
Following these seven steps can help protect injured accident victims from further harm.
