Nobody ever plans to get into a car accident, and when the time comes that you realize that you have just been in one, the next moments can be critical to ensure that you and your passengers are safe, and that you have the tools to move forward from this traumatic event. It is likely that you will be overcome with adrenaline and panic as you attempt to think of what to do first, how you should handle yourself at the scene of the accident, and the steps you will need to take in order to protect yourself from any of the possible long-term impacts that this may have.
In any accident, the most important thing that you need to focus on is your own safety, even before the safety of those around you. If you panic, you run the risk of exasperating your injuries and having to deal with further complications. Follow these steps, stay calm, and take care of yourself so that you can take care of the people that are important to you. Once you have taken these important steps, visit fasigbrooks.com and schedule a consultation with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Assess The Situation In Your Car
Think about the safety video in an airplane: when the masks drop from the ceiling, what do they tell you to do? Put your mask on first before assisting anyone else. The same goes with a car accident, where the first thing to do is to take a moment and assess your own injuries. Once you have registered your own condition, address your passengers. Now is not the time to try to figure out what happened—your safety is the top concern right now.
Prioritize Safety
Is it safe to get out of the totaled cars, or is it better to stay where you are? You will need to answer this question for yourself, but if possible it may be a good idea to try to get out of the road and onto a sidewalk, into a parking lot, or somewhere else to get out of oncoming traffic and the possibility of a second collision. However, in some cases it may be safer to stay put. Use your best judgment to determine what is right for you and your passengers.
Call 911
No matter how minor your accident may seem, call 911 so that a police officer is dispatched to the scene. A police report is an essential document after an accident, especially if anyone is injured. Without one, you may find that the other driver changes their story after the fact, and may attempt to put blame on you that is not accurate or fair; without a report, it’s your word against theirs. Of course, if there are any injuries then it is important that victims are checked and receive care from the EMTs, who can then determine what next steps to take for their medical care.
See a Doctor
Regardless of the degree of your injuries, it is absolutely essential that you see a doctor as soon as possible. For starters, you need to make sure that your injuries receive proper care. However, the additional benefit to seeing a doctor is that, like with a police report, you establish a detailed and legal record that will be a useful tool as you work with the insurance company to get the money that you deserve. When you start working with an attorney, they will be able to gather all of this official documentation, in addition to things like eyewitness accounts and your own personal statements, in order to begin building a comprehensive and aggressive strategy.
