What to do following a car accident
If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s normal for panic and fear to take hold. However, this can severely impact your judgment and your ability to make smart, rational decisions when they matter most.
For this reason, it’s crucial that you know beforehand what to do in the aftermath of an accident. This way, you can respond accordingly and without delay. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to do following a car accident or collision.
Get yourself to a place of safety
If it is possible to do so, you should move your car to a safe place outside the direct line of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. You should then find a safe place to stand, again away from traffic and other motorists. Following this, you should check yourself (and others) for any injuries.
Contact the emergency services
You should call the relevant emergency services immediately after an accident. This ensures that all parties can get access to the help they need without delay. Try to be as detailed and precise as you can when explaining your location, as this will make it much easier for them to find you.
Document the accident
If you’re able to do so, now is a good time to document any evidence of the crash or accident. For example, you may want to take photographs of the scene or your car. You should also swap insurance and contact details with any of the other parties involved.
Get medical help
Following the accident itself, you should make sure that you get medical help and assistance, even if you feel relatively fine. For example, it can sometimes take up to 72 hours for the signs/symptoms of concussion to present themselves, which can lead to a variety of health complications.
Reach out to a lawyer
If you were not at fault in the accident, then now is the time to contact local Personal Injury Solicitors who can help fight your case in court. This will help you to recover from the aftermath of the accident, providing you with financial assistance to cover everything from medical bills to a loss of income caused by having to take time off work.
Gather evidence
Once you have hired a lawyer, it’s time to start gathering evidence that will work in your favor or support your claim. This includes medical bills and records, incident reports, and witness statements. Generally speaking, the more evidence you can gather, the better.
Give yourself a break from getting behind the wheel
It’s normal to have some anxiety around driving after being involved in a collision. For this reason, you should ensure that you do not get back behind the wheel until you feel ready to do so.
If you’re struggling with your feelings/emotions, consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor. This will allow you to work your way through this tough time with your head held high while also minimizing the long-term impact this has on your well-being.
