A total of 6 million car accidents every year. That’s how many crashes happen every year in the United States.
Many people might think that car crashes don’t happen often. However, they happen more often than you think. That’s why it’s essential to know what to do if an accident ever happens to you.
If you were injured in a car accident, you need to take a few essential steps in the aftermath. Keep reading to learn what to do when you suffer a car accident injury.
Check for Serious Injuries
Not all injuries are severe and need to be treated promptly. In these cases, it’s essential to check on the other driver to make sure they’re ok, as well. However, things are different when the injury is bad.
Make sure to call for an ambulance in these cases. Your goal is to get treatment as fast as possible, so things don’t get worse before they get better. If the injury seems minor, head to see a doctor as soon as you leave the accident scene.
Document the Scene
If you aren’t seriously injured, you need to document the scene of the accident. Take as many pictures of the accident damage as you can to start. Once you have enough pictures, get the other driver’s license, name, and insurance information.
It’s also important to remember the version of events you remember in your head. Car accidents are traumatic, so people sometimes fail to remember exactly what happened. Try to get things straight as soon as you can so you don’t forget at a later date.
Call the Police
It’s essential to file a police report if you’ve suffered from a car accident. A police report will tell the insurance companies what happened at the time of the accident.
If there was an injury during the accident, an officer is guaranteed to arrive at the scene. Give them all the documentation you have and let them know your version of events. Just make sure not to admit fault for the accident.
Report to Insurance
After your injuries are treated and have the police report, you’ll need to contact the insurance company to handle things. Even if the other driver is at fault, you’ll still need to call your provider to let them know what happened. Once you do that, you can get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company.
Turn over every piece of documentation you have during your report. The insurance company will then process everything and let you know how to proceed with the claim.
Respond to the Insurance Settlement
It shouldn’t take long to hear from your insurance company about your case. In most cases, your result will be favorable, and you’ll get compensation for the crash. In others, you won’t be so lucky.
Working with a car accident injury lawyer is a great option to get help in cases like this. A car accident injury attorney can guide you through legal waters to make sure the insurance company pays up. There is a lot a personal injury lawyer can do, so make sure to check them out.
Take Your Car Accident Injury Seriously
You can’t afford to cut corners when you suffer from a car accident injury. You’ll likely have medical and repair bills after the crash, so you need to make sure the insurance companies give you the compensation you deserve. Follow the steps above to make sure you do things the right way.
If this post was helpful, head back to the blog to find more insightful posts.