More than 1.35 million people lose their lives every year due to car accidents. Many more sustain injuries and other unseen adverse impacts associated with the accidents. And while no one ever wishes to get an accident, the sad truth is that the accident numbers increase every day. Therefore, it is imperative to observe the safety rules and know how to handle the risks when it hits. This guide will discuss the six practical steps that you should take after an accident. Hopefully, you will find them helpful, even as you observe the road rules.
1. Remain calm
The initial step is to remain as calm as you gain consciousness. If you were driving, park your car aside, and check the level of damages. Also, find out if your passengers have been hurt and if everything is okay. If you were driving a public service vehicle, it would be helpful to comfort the other people and assure them that everything will be okay. When you are calm, your mind will be sober, and you will make helpful decisions. If possible, call the police or any other people you think might help you get treatment and seek justice.
2. Seek medical attention
The second step is to seek medical assistance. This is a necessary step because it ensures that everyone in the accident scene is safe and healthy. You can start by doing the first aid to the passengers if they have been hurt severely. You, too, should make the right arrangements on how you will visit a medical clinic.
You don’t need to have physical injuries for you to visit the health facility. It is possible to sustain internal injuries and bleedings, which might become significant in the future. You should, therefore, not neglect the hospital irrespective of your condition. For convenience, make sure that you keep a record of all medical records. Note the conversations, too, as you might use them to build your evidence.
3. Gather evidence
The right evidence can help you win a personal injury case should you decide to initiate a claim. For this reason, you should try to collect usable evidence from the accident scene. The process can be tough considering that you are still nursing the wounds, but you should at least try. Your evidence could be anything which shows that the accident took place within that area. The evidence could include:
- Police report- police can help you fill a report for the accident. They can also provide verbal evidence through recording.
- Vehicle information- note the car’s number plates, car models, and the other vehicle details for the cars involved in the accident. Write down their colors and the number of passengers in each car.
- Witnesses- your witnesses could be your fellow passengers or any other person who saw the accident.
- Visible damages- take images and videos of all the visible damages on your car or any other property.
4. Seek legal help
Personal injury lawyers help accident victims seek justice. They also help collect the right evidence for the accident and liaise with the insurance firms. Most importantly, these lawyers can encourage you during those trying moments. You can check here to get more information on the services that these lawyers have to offer. Also, ensure that the personal injury attorney you work with is highly experienced and has been in the industry for a prolonged period. A proper background check will help you get the right lawyer for the case.
5. Contact your insurance
It’s crucial to initiate an insurance claim if you are covered. When you call your agent, they will confirm if you qualify for the insurance. They will also ask for the accident evidence to know if the accident matches the types of risk you are insured. For best results, be honest and give out accurate information. Present all the evidence too, and ask your lawyer to help you in the claim process.
6. Follow on the insurance
The last step for the process is to follow on the insurance. Usually, insurance agents inspect to know the truth regarding the accident. After that, they make an offer of the amount you can qualify as the compensation. If the amount is small, your lawyer can help you negotiate for a better term. However, it would help if you were keen on the follow-up process to ensure that you get the best compensation for your injury.
Seeking compensation after an accident is not easy. However, you can readily rise after the accident, seek justice, get compensation, and move on. If you have been involved in an accident, follow the above steps, and work with a reputable lawyer. The layer will guide you on the right measures to take.
