Automobiles are a way of life in the US and across the globe, as such, accidents are inevitable. With over 143 million Americans commuting every day, there is no doubt that accidents are bound to happen – with no end in sight.
According to statistics, about 1.3 million individuals die in vehicle collisions globally every year. A report published on Safer America reveals that in 2016, there were more than 34,400 fatal car accidents reported to the authorities. Of these crashes, there were 37,461 deaths, including 25,096 car occupants, 7,079 non-occupants, and 5,286 motorcyclists. Luckily, not all car accidents lead to fatalities. Some only cause major or minor injuries. But still, this does not make an accident any less devastating.
With the prevalence of accidents across the globe, knowing what to do in case, you are hurt (or if someone close to you succumbs to the injuries) is vital. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the things you should do if you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence or carelessness.
Check for injuries and call 911
If you can move, look around to see if people are hurt, then call 911 to inform them about everything – this is irrespective of the extent of the accident. Do not settle for any agreements with the other driver. Inform the 911 dispatcher about your location, injuries, and any dangers at the accident scene.
Watch your words
It’s easy to start apologizing and telling other people that you are sorry about the accident, but you shouldn’t. Doing this only shows that you admit to fault. What you need to do is exchange personal and insurance details. The insurance company will take care of everything else.
Get medical attention
Your health comes first. So, you should seek medical help as soon as you can – even when your injuries aren’t obvious. You don’t need to see broken bones and bleeding cuts to know you’re seriously hurt. So, don’t try to be brave – accept medical treatment at the scene, even if you think you don’t need medical attention. Delaying or refusing medical care can undermine your injury claim. Otherwise, the insurance will have a chance to turn down your claim, with an excuse that your injuries were not as a result of the accident.
Collect enough evidence
You will need evidence to prove that the other party was indeed at fault for your injuries. So, if you can, take pictures of everything including the position of the cars, scratch marks on the road, impact, road signs and so on. Also, write down the other driver’s personal and insurance details. If there are any witnesses, you can also take note of their information.
Contact a personal injury lawyer
When you file a claim, you expect to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses and pain and suffering. However, it is not always as easy as you’d like it to be. Since the defendant’s insurance company won’t gain anything paying you, they will try not to pay you or issue unfair compensation. Having a local attorney by your side will ensure that the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. He or she will also take care of the legwork for you.