No one wants to be involved in a car accident – that’s a given across the board. Going through one can be life-changing, and can repercussions to both health and financial stability. So it’s a really good idea to get familiar with how to handle the aftermath of an accident, because as they say: knowing is half the battle. Let’s get into it:
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Assess and Get Help
Before anything else, make sure that all people involved are safe. If you can, move any vehicles out of traffic to free up traffic and help prevent further accidents. Scan for any injuries, and even if an injury seems minor, immediately call emergency services. Seeking prompt, appropriate medical attention is very important.
Notify Authorities
Always, always call it in. It’s important to report any accident to the police, regardless of how minor it may seem. A police incident report is an uber-essential piece of documentation that legal experts advise you to have. It makes for an unbiased account of what happened, which can go a long way when it comes to settling disputes down the line.
Document
Once all parties are considered safe and in good hands, document everything. This means taking photos and videos of the vehicles involved, the conditions of the road, and any obvious injuries. Gathering this evidence can be highly necessary for any later insurance claims and legal proceedings. Also, if possible swap insurance and contact information with any other drivers involved.
Seek Medical Attention
If you didn’t feel the need to call an ambulance, and even if you feel okay, it’s a smart idea to get the opinion of a healthcare professional. Occasionally injuries like whiplash – or something as dire as internal bleeding – may not present obvious symptoms. Prompt medical attention is vital both for your wellbeing and if you choose to pursue legal action or file an insurance claim at some point.
File Your Insurance Claim
Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as possible. Give them with all necessary details and provide any documentation requested to make for a smooth claim process. It’s important to be truthful about the incident; any kind of inconsistencies can ultimately affect your claim outcome to your detriment.
Know Your Rights
Being aware of your legal rights is of utmost urgency. If the accident was not your fault, you could well be due monetary compensation for damages, healthcare bills, and missed wages. Consulting an expert in the legal field can mean all the difference when it comes to understanding your options and creating a strategy that specifically suits to your needs. If necessary in your case, legal representation affords knowledge, negotiation skills, procedural know-how, and can overall contribute to a much easier process.
Emotional Healing
Injuries are not always limited to the physical. Vehicle accidents can also be emotionally difficult, and addressing these issues by way of therapy or support groups can be a really helpful and important element of both short and long term recovery.
We hope these tips have been helpful, and we hope – sincerely – that you never have to use them. Here at eTags, we wish you a safe journey always!
