10 Things You SHOULD Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents, unfortunately, will always be a part of your driving experience. Statistics show that in a person’s driving career, one will probably experience a vehicular accident at least twice.

If you have never been involved in a car crash (hopefully never), you should at least be prepared and be sure to know what to do after the incident. Knowing these pointers can help you not to be wrongfully charged, make the situation worse nor die in a panic.

1. Assess the situation. This is the first step in any accidents or crisis. So, after a car accident, look around you, check if it is just a minor crash and if you are okay. If you are okay, check if there are others involved or if anyone else is hurt or in need of a medical assistance.
2. Call for appropriate services. Call for 911 if someone is hurt. If you don’t have your mobile phone with you or doesn’t have one, make sure someone else calls for help or assistance. If its just a minor fender bender, or a crash to a traffic light pole and road signs, call for a police and discuss the details of the accident.
3. Know details and take photographs. Take note of the time, place, and how the accident occurred. Collect as much as evidence such as pictures of the wreck, skid marks, scratches, broken vehicular parts,  license plates, and bruises or cuts in your body while they exist. Ask for names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. Police officers may get them, but in case they accidentally forgot about some critical piece of evidence, you have a copy of the evidence. This will help you with a lawsuit if there is.
4. Have yourself checked by a doctor. Right after the accident, go see a doctor once the investigation at the car crash site is finished. Even if you don’t have visible injuries and you feel that you only have minor scratches, have yourself checked. A general checkup after a vehicular accident is important because many people who were involved in car accidents don’t feel pain immediately after the wreck. Pain and other symptoms may show up after a few days to weeks. Early diagnosis of problems can help you get the right treatment you need.
5. Get legal advice from your lawyer. Call your lawyer and get some legal advice. Be careful in giving statements to insurance adjusters and let your lawyer handle your car wreck insurance claim.  This is for your protection because a lot of people make misstatements when speaking to insurance adjusters and ends up having a lower value for the claim. Always refer all questions to your lawyer.
6. Report the car crash to your insurance company. After receiving a legal advice from your lawyer, promptly report the car accident to your vehicular insurance company. Most insurance has a PIP or Personal Injury Protection that can cover a certain amount for lost wages and medical bills.
7. Take Responsibility. No one knows and feels yourself as much as you do. Take note of any changes that you feel until after two weeks because symptoms may be delayed. If you had a checkup with a physician and he/she says that the assessment is fine, you should still get a second opinion just to be sure. Take responsibility for yourself and keep in mind that you only have one life to live. Some people do not take action and relies on the hope that the pain goes away and it doesn’t. By waiting for injuries to show, you are delaying your recovery.
8. Be Honest. The proverb “Honesty is the Best Policy” also applies to any individual involved in a car crash. It is important for your doctor or lawyer to know ALL the facts about your health and the accident. Any pre-existing conditions and health problems are going to be found. It is best for you to inform your healthcare provider about your full medical history to be able to determine the appropriate care.
9. Be Patient. As much as we value time, health is also important. Do not be in a rush to put the injury or the case behind you. It takes a lot of patience and time to learn the full extent of injuries and other effects of the car crash. If you have muscle injuries, be aware that it takes up to 2 months for the muscles to fully recover. For this reason, it is also advised not to dismiss the case until you are pain-free for at least two months.
10. Keep a file and learn from the situation. Even if the case is closed and months have passed since the car crash, you should keep records of all the information and keep all the accident-related documents together. This file should include all your claims documents, the claim number, the claim adjuster’s name and contact details, as well as receipts for towing and other expenses incurred as a result of the car crash.

Your Dallas-Ft. Worth Car Accident Pain Doctor for Car Accident Injuries

If you’ve recently got involved in a car crash accident and are looking for treatment for car accident injuries, Pegasus Pain Management can help. The clinic offers services to patients who have been victims of vehicular crashes.