Car accidents can be chaotic. Everything happens so quickly, and you may feel disoriented from your injuries. You need to take control of the situation the best you can. Here are some steps to deal with the immediate aftermath of a motor accident.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Many drivers sustain severe injuries following a car crash. They can be caused by the impact of the car and affect the entire body. 

Typical car accident injuries can include the following.

  • Head and neck injuries: You may hit your head during a car accident, and it can cause concussions, whiplash, traumatic brain injury, cuts, etc.  
  • Back injuries: The trauma from a car accident can cause back issues, including spinal cord injuries, herniated disks, and more.
  • Other injuries: Broken ribs, cuts, bruising, sprains, broken bones, dislocated joints, and other injuries are typical after a car accident.

You should seek medical attention following the accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not immediately present themselves.

The Importance of Proper Action at The Scene of The Accident

If you’re in a car accident, you need to take appropriate steps at the scene to legally and physically protect yourself and other parties. You should ensure everyone’s safety, gather information from other parties, and seek medical attention, even for minor injuries. 

Enusre you notify your insurance company and keep all accident-related records. These actions protect your health and support any future legal claims.

Immediate actions at the car accident scene

Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene

There are five immediate steps you should take at an accident scene.

Check for Injuries

Check yourself for injuries. If you were driving with passengers, make sure they were uninjured. Verify the other driver or drivers are safe as well.

If anyone is seriously hurt, don’t attempt to move them unless they’re in immediate danger. Call emergency services right away for professional medical help. 

Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked by a medical professional, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. You can and should seek medical help after the accident to build a record of your injuries.

Call Emergency Services

After ensuring everyone’s safety, call the police. Provide the emergency personnel with all the required information, including what’s happening, where the accident occurred, and if anyone needs medical attention. 

The responding officers, usually from the nearest police station, will arrive quickly and start examining the accident scene.

Move to a Safe Location

If you can, move to a safe location on the side of the road. If it’s impossible, put on your hazard lights and use traffic cones or light flares to ensure other vehicles can see you. 

You don’t want others to accidentally hit you when you have already been in an accident. Do what you can to mitigate the risk of causing other accidents.

Exchange Information

As you wait for the authorities, exchange your contact details and insurance information with the parties involved. Write down their names and phone numbers. Take pictures of their insurance cards. 

You must provide this information to your lawyer and insurance company during the claims process. 

Document the Scene

One of the most important things you can do is document the accident scene. Take pictures of the cars immediately after the accident. Do not move the vehicles until you have photographic proof of what happened.

After you move to the side of the road, take more pictures. Document the different angles of the accident. Take photos of both cars and any surrounding areas that may be helpful.

If there are witnesses, get their names, contact information, and recorded statements. They may be legally required to testify about how the accident happened. 

Building a Car Accident Case

Once you’ve gotten away from the accident scene, you have to start building your case against the other driver. 

Insurance Claims

You must report the accident to your insurance company if you plan on filing an insurance claim. 

Additionally, you can consult with a personal injury attorney first to help understand your rights. They can advocate on your behalf with the insurance company throughout the claims process. 

The earlier you report a car accident, the quicker you can obtain full compensation or have your car fixed.

Police Report

Police reports are important pieces of evidence. They are unbiased reports about what happened at the scene of an accident. They may even include drawings illustrating the scene, including vehicle damage, fault, etc.

If the accident report matches your story, it will provide fantastic evidence for a personal injury case. As you secure a police report, get the name and badge number of the investigating officer. They can be called to provide testimony if needed.

Witness Statements

If anyone witnessed the car accident, try to get their contact information. Later, your attorney can gather witness statements about what they experienced. 

Together with the other evidence, it provides a comprehensive look at the scene of an accident. It can help corroborate your story and provide critical evidence as you seek damages. 

Treating Your Injuries After a Car Accident

Even if you don’t feel injured, seeking medical attention is critical. Delayed injuries may take a few days to show up once the adrenaline has worn off. You may feel alright immediately after the accident, but you’ll notice pain or discomfort within a few days.

Common delayed injuries include:

  • Whiplash: The force of the accident can cause your neck to snap back and forth. You may even hit it on the steering wheel.
  • Neck pain: More generally, car accident victims can experience delayed neck pain that may even take up to a week to show up.
  • Headaches: Many car accident victims report headaches even if they did not hit their heads.
  • PTSD: Some victims can have post-traumatic stress disorder after a car crash. They may be unable to drive or have to avoid the crash scene. It impacts their well-being even if they are no longer in immediate danger.

Having a medical professional check you out is always a good idea. Not only can they clear you of serious injuries, but they also help provide significant documentation in car accident cases. 

They outline the injuries incurred in the accident, including future treatment plans. This information can be used as evidence in a car accident case.

Consult a Lawyer for Your Insurance Claim

Many people need to work with an auto accident lawyer before filing an insurance claim. A lawyer will ensure you get the best settlement.

Legal Advice

Personal injury attorneys help you understand your legal rights and options, and they can explain them to you in ways that are easy to understand. The legal process is complex, so it’s nice to have skilled professionals navigating it for you. 

Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and only charge a fee if they win the case. Therefore, it is low risk for car accident victims to consult with lawyers to explore their options. 

Negotiations With the Insurance Company

One of the biggest benefits of working with lawyers is that they can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. They won’t settle for the first offer because they know it’s not their best.

Insurance companies want to settle quickly and for the least amount of money. Lawyers prevent this by negotiating with insurers and providing details to maximize the claim.

Maximizing Compensation

Personal injury lawyers help maximize your settlement, ensuring you are compensated for all your injuries and the cost incurred due to the accident. This compensation can include:

  • Medical costs: Doctor’s bills, ambulance rides, physical therapy, prescription medicine, and other medical expenses can be recovered. This compensatory damage includes past, current, and future costs.
  • Emotional distress: Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and other emotional trauma, can be included in personal injury settlements.
  • Lost wages: If you cannot work, you can get compensated for the income you would have earned. This amount can also include future wages if you cannot work because of the accident. 
  • Property damage: You can get compensated for the damage to your car and other personal items in the vehicle. 

Your personal injury lawyer understands the legal process and can work the system in your favor to get you the best settlement. 

Secure Expert Legal Counsel

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the claims process if you’ve been in a car accident. If you’ve been injured, your rights extend far beyond the damage to your car. We are here to help you get justice for your injuries after an accident and receive maximum compensation.

Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.