Thousands of people suffer from traumatic injuries in car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other types of horrific accidents on a daily basis. Being involved in a traumatic accident is stressful and might make you feel a little shaken up—especially if you have been injured. It can be difficult to know how to proceed after you have been injured because there will be a lot going on. Although you will have a lot to handle, you can’t ignore essential steps that need to be taken quickly following the accident. If you are prepared with all the information you need before an accident occurs, you’ll be able to deal with the situation instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Medical Attention is Your Number One Priority
First, your priority is your health. You must seek medical attention if you have been involved in a car crash. Depending on how severely you are injured, you might not be able to call the police yourself. Someone needs to call the police and once they know there are injuries, the police will call an ambulance to arrive on the scene too. If there are any volunteers present to help at the accident scene, make sure you tell these individuals that you need medical help. Bystanders and witnesses can assist you, however, it is often best to wait for the ambulance before you move or try to do anything. Let the experts examine you and determine what injuries you have sustained. You will have a lot running through your mind after you get injured in an accident, but make sure you get documentation of any injuries from the hospital. Having a record of your injuries will also be important if you decide to file a lawsuit at a later date.
Call the Police
At this point, you or someone else should have called the police for assistance. The police will be sure to fill out a report indicating the facts leading up to the accident. The police may also be able to administer emergency treatment until an ambulance arrives. The important thing is that you make sure the police show up while you are there to get any necessary information from you about insurance, injuries, the car, and the circumstances of the accident. Leaving the scene of the accident without talking to the police could really cause problems later on if they don’t get the correct information and documentation. Sometimes, if you have to be rushed to the hospital, an officer will follow the ambulance to the emergency room and get information from you or family members once your injuries have been tended to.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene if Possible
You may also want to take photos of the accident scene if you are able. Any photos that you take may be admissible in trial. You may also want to take audio recordings of any witnesses who viewed the accident. These steps may be helpful if you file a lawsuit against the other party at a later date. If you are severely injured, you obviously won’t stick around to take photos instead of being rushed to the hospital. With the convenience of smartphones today, taking pictures can be done easily and quickly by a friend, family member, or bystander. If there is someone nearby that can take photos for you, enlist their help to get photos of the scene of the accident. If you can’t get photos right at the time of the accident, take photos of your damaged vehicle as soon as you can. You might have to pick the car up from a towing station if the damage is severe, but wherever your car is after the accident, get photos of the damage as soon as physically possible.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Calling a personal injury lawyer is always an option if you have been seriously injured in an accident. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights to compensation. You can learn whether you may also file a lawsuit against other parties that may be liable for your damages. A lawyer can also support you during this difficult time and interview witnesses for your case. Even if you don’t anticipate that you will file a lawsuit over the accident, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer if you aren’t clear on what your rights are. Getting all the information from a professional will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
After you have been injured, it is important that you act fast. Taking these steps can ensure that you receive the medical attention that you require for your injuries, that you have any documentation you’ll need later on, and that you are compensated accordingly. It is extremely overwhelming to be involved in a traumatic accident, especially if there are injuries involved. If your injuries keep you from acting quickly with these matters, enlist the help of friends and family to ensure that everything is taken care of before too much time goes by. Information for this article was provided by professional attorneys in Calhoun, GA who specialize in personal injury cases.
This article is from Ms. Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves writing for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.
