Tips for Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident

A car accident can be an incredibly traumatic and very often destructive event in a person’s life. One moment you’re going along fine and the next, bam! Your day has completely changed. Now you are left dealing with police reports, a damaged vehicle, and potentially serious injuries. It is helpful to know what to do when you are involved in a car accident before the fact. There is a great amount of chaos that surrounds a car accident so having a clear understanding of the steps to take ahead of time can help you if you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in a car accident. 

6 Key Steps to Take Immediately After A Car Accident

When you have been in a car accident there are important steps to take immediately following the collision, if injuries do not prevent you from doing so. 

1. Take pictures - photographic evidence is incredibly helpful in the event of a car accident, it is important to photograph the IDs of all parties involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, and other witnesses, the registration, and the insurance information. You should also take pictures of the overall scene of the accident if possible, capturing all sides of all cars involved, and close-ups of any damage.

2. Call the police - do not leave the scene of the accident unless it is medically necessary. The police will want to fill out a full report of what happened.

3. Stay quiet - it is important to watch what you say at the scene of an accident. Unfortunately, your words can often be used against you when trying to determine blame for an accident. Do not apologize after the accident and do not state how you physically feel. Sometimes injuries take time to develop.  

4. Get medical treatment - even if you feel okay after a car accident it is best to get the professional opinion of a qualified physician. If you don’t go right after the accident, make sure to get checked out shortly thereafter.

5. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company - insurance companies can use your statements against you should you need to look into a personal injury claim to cover the expenses of your injuries after the fact. They can also use any authorizations for medical treatments you may have signed so avoid signing these without consulting an experienced personal injury claims attorney first.

6. Contact a personal injury attorney near you - if you feel that your car accident has been caused by the negligence of another person, or if you are getting an unfair deal from the insurance companies involved it is best to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer. They will discuss the circumstances of your accident and help you determine if you have a viable case. 

Seeking Medical Treatment After A Car Accident

When you have been injured in a car accident the last thing you want to think about is making sure you document everything properly for future use. Unfortunately, it is an important step if you want to be adequately taken care of if you end up suffering long-term injuries that will require rehabilitation. At the scene of the accident, you want to make sure that the investigating officer fills out your injuries correctly on the police report. Failing to do so can lead to delays and denied claims down the road.  

It is common to feel okay immediately after the initial car accident but a day or two later symptoms could begin to appear. Pain, numbness, dizziness, even emotional symptoms can all develop and are important to be checked out by a medical professional. If you end up being diagnosed with injuries that will require treatment and rehabilitation make sure to follow through with these recommendations. There are two major reasons for this. 

The first is for your health. A doctor is the best person to determine the extent of your injuries and to come up with the best treatment plan for you to help you recover as quickly as possible. The second reason is that the records from your doctor visits, physical therapy, and other treatment courses are the best way to verify the nature and extent of your injuries, as well as the duration of your treatment. If you end up needing to make a car accident injury claim, being able to show a well-documented outline of your medical treatments and expenses is essential. 

If you do end up undergoing medical treatment for your car accident injuries it is important to ask for a copy of your medical records and to review them carefully to make sure they are accurate. When reading them over you want to make sure that your doctor has recorded the nature of your car accident and your injuries correctly in their notes. All of this documentation will be incredibly important if you do need to pursue a car accident injury claim.

If you have been involved in a car accident and have any questions about filing a car accident injury claim it is best to reach out to an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney. They will be able to answer any questions you have and give you guidance about what steps you need to take for the best outcome for your health and future.