Anyone can be involved in a car accident, but few have planned for what they would do if injured. This checklist provides helpful suggestions for managing life after a crash, ensuring you address important issues and tasks to avoid potential complications.
Stop
In moments of panic and shock, our thoughts can become jumbled, leading some to choose to instinctively flee the scene of an accident. However, not stopping after an accident is illegal under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Section 170(2) of this Act specifies that if you’re driving a vehicle and get into an accident causing damage or injury to another vehicle or person, you must stop.
Reach Out to Your Health Insurance Provider
Many people think that if they’re injured in a car accident, the other party will cover their medical bills. This might eventually be true, but at the present, you are responsible for your medical expenses. Your PIP coverage and health insurance (subject to deductibles and copays) can help with these costs. Legally, your insurance covers the bills on your behalf, but you remain financially obligated.
Contact your health insurance company immediately to inform them of your accident injuries and verify the extent and limits of your coverage. When an unexpected injury disrupts your life, having information empowers you. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to inadequate coverage at a critical moment.
Keep a Record Outlining Your Injuries
Keeping a diary after an accident is a smart way to remember key events and experiences. In your diary, you should log details about:
- The accident
- The pain and symptoms from your injury
- The medical providers who treated you, any work absences
- Out-of-pocket costs
If your case goes to court, it might take two to three years from the accident date until the trial. Your diary can help you recall details that may become unclear or forgotten over time. Understand the car accident stature of limitations, the period you have after an accident to file a claim. Often this duration is two to three years from the accident. However, different states and circumstances may affect this limitation period.
Provide a Detailed Description of Your Injuries
When receiving initial medical treatment after an accident, describe your injuries comprehensively and in detail. Medical providers will document your complaints and injuries in their records, which insurance companies will later use to evaluate your injury claims.
If you later claim an injury not reflected in these initial records, the insurance company may argue that the injury is not genuine or related to the accident. Even a slight pain in a specific area you didn’t think worth mentioning could worsen over time and become a severe injury. Failing to describe it at your initial medical appointment could make it challenging to prove its connection to the accident. This is not the time to demonstrate toughness or a high pain tolerance.
Receive Thorough Diagnostic Examinations
Ensure you request and receive all essential diagnostic tests and examinations when seeking treatment for injuries following an accident. Focus solely on your health, not on medical expenses or cost savings. Identify and document any injuries you may have sustained. Emphasize this with the medical providers you are consulting.
Ensure you receive the necessary MRIs, x-rays and scans. This helps your medical providers identify your injuries and eliminate others. Diagnosing injuries promptly after an accident makes establishing a connection to the incident easier.
Endnote
Recovering from a car accident can be a lengthy and gradual journey, often leading to feelings of frustration. It’s important not to compare your progress to others; your body and mind will heal in their own time.
