Any vehicular accident causes major physical turmoil – but the damage does not end there. In essence, a car accident can and does change the world for its victim – leaving them highly disoriented and utterly confused. From a small minor traffic accident to a major mishap, it is crucial that one is aware of their rights, their obligations, and how they must behave should they ever find themselves in a situation like this.
Below is a guide that offers basic knowledge on how you can deal with a vehicular accident, if you find yourself in one.
Keep Calm & Monitor your Situation
As mentioned before, car accidents cause sudden physical and mental jolts, leading to extreme confusion and disorientation. These kinds of jolts can easily cloud one’s judgement – and lead people to take actions that don’t generally make sense, or ones they ordinarily wouldn’t. Moreover, being in such situations can lead to panicking, which can further complicate things.
This makes it all the more important for any accident victim (especially if they are the driver) to maintain an atmosphere of calm. Once this has been established, it is time to monitor your surroundings – this includes taking a note on who is injured and calling medical services post-haste. This also includes taking a note of the environment – for instance, a hazard like oncoming traffic is imminent, it is necessary to either move to a safe space or switch on the warning lights.
Make Sure Everyone is Safe – And Notify the Authorities
Once you have made sure that everybody is no longer in harm’s way, the next thing to do is to reach out to the police. This is essential since a report is necessary to start the claims process.
While waiting for law enforcement to reach you, make sure to maintain your personal safety. Remain in your car if it is safe enough to do so – especially if you are in a busy space and could be hit by passer-by vehicles.
If your car emergency kit has any spare parts (such as triangles, flares, cones or even lights), make sure to use them – this helps other vehicles to clearly understand what your status is and steer clear of further accidents.
Once the police arrive, make sure that you are cooperating well with all the officers and offering them the right details on everything related to the accident.
Take Photos of the Scene
The importance of documentation in these situations cannot be stressed enough. To that end, make sure to take multiple photographs from every possible angle. Ensure that you have photographed the damage caused to all vehicles involved. Remember, photos count for a key piece of evidence within the legal scenario.
While taking photos, see to including the surroundings as well – these include landmarks, traffic signals, and other elements of the road. Details such as these will help offer context, especially when describing the mishap.
Make sure to also note down details about the incident – as soon as you possibly can. This is because trauma can mess with your memory and it is best to commit them to writing before you end up forgetting details. Details may include (but may not be limited to) the chain of events, weather situation, time, and/or conversations between you and other driver(s).
Communicate with the Other Party (or Parties)
Speaking with the other driver(s), especially after being in an accident can feel daunting – you might feel you are too caught up in the moment to do so. However, this is a very important part of the process and should be done as soon as possible. You can start with a polite request for contact information and insurance details – ensure that you have at least the full names, addresses & phone number, license numbers and insurance policy ID for each party.
You might feel the urge to point fingers or ask for an apology (or even make an apology yourself). Refrain from doing any of these, since such acts could later be used against you to prove guilt. The best way to do this is to stick to talking about the facts.
If you see any witnesses, make sure to take in their contact data as well – them not being involved in the accident can provide a non-partial perspective that can help solidify your argument on how the accident happened.
Do not Delay Seeking Medical Treatment
People who have just come out of an accident are usually in a state of mental shock and have a lot of adrenaline in their system. Under such circumstances, being injured might not feel very apparent. This doesn’t mean it isn’t there, or that it could threaten your health or even your life.
This is why you should make sure to get medical treatment as fast as you possibly can. Professionals like doctors and/or paramedics can help identify injuries or similar complications that arose from the accident.
Next, do keep a set of records for all of your treatments, and the expenses you incurred because of them. They will tremendously help for authenticating your insurance claim, especially those pertaining to personal injury.
Last but not least, take heed of your advice you get from your doctor. Make sure to the comply with the treatment being given to you – this will help you recover quickly and show that you are determined to do so – all of which can greatly work in your favor in the legal scenario.
Consult with an Attorney
In a situation as sensitive as a vehicular or specifically a truck accident, exercising caution is key – not just in terms of personal safety but in terms of legalities. One mistake – even an unintentional one – can change the outcome of the circumstances.
Having an attorney represent you would be one of the best things to do here. An attorney who is experienced in these matters will serve to keep your financial and personal interests intact and help you navigate between the fine legal lines.
Attorneys also help their clients assess a given situation, understand what their rights are, and help them decide what the best thing to do might be. They may even carry out the negotiation process and ensure that you would be compensated fairly.
Have a Thorough Understanding of your Obligations & your Rights
In the event of a car accident, it is extremely important that you understand what your obligations and your rights are – legally speaking.
As a general rule, you might be obligated to report the accident to the relevant authorities, call for medical attention for all parties concerned (irrespective of the circumstances), and work with your insurance provider. If you do not meet your obligations, your case might weaken.
On the other hand, you might have the right to claim to be compensated for any damages you incurred (be it in terms of job loss, medical expense or other type of pain or suffering. Attorneys can help you in clarifying the meaning and application of said rights.
Be Honest with your Lawyer
Your auto accident lawyer is meant to represent you and act in your best interests. This is only possible if they know everything that needs to be known in real time. Therefore, you must be open and honest with the lawyer.
Make sure to update your attorney with any and all developments, including treatments, bills, expenses or any other interactions that you might have come across. Try and provide every document in relation to the situation – and if they ask you for something, promptly give it to them.
Remember, your lawyer will not be able to act in your favor if they do not have the adequate and right information.
Try to Get Mental Health Support
Being in a car accident is without a doubt is highly traumatic. It greatly impacts an individual’s physical as well as mental health. While getting treatment for physical injuries is important, one must not discount the fact that mental health support might also be required.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of stress or anxiety that has its origins in the mishap, contact a counselor or therapist straightaway. These mental health professionals can help you navigate the complex emotions you might be dealing with after something as serious as a car accident.
Repairing or Replacing your Car
Once the worst is over, you will need to finally pay attention to your car. At the least, it might need some repairs; at most, it will likely need to be replaced. In the former scenario, you might have to get an estimate for all repairs from a reputed auto repair shop or mechanic. The best practice here would be to approach a few of them and get quotes from each, so that you can compare.
Sometimes, insurance companies have go-to vendors for car repairs, to make the process simpler. Make sure to have a consultation with them – they might end up useful. Sometimes, such vendors may also provide a rental should your car need extensive repairs.
Like all other elements, make sure to keep all records related to repairs. You might need these documents to show proof of expense in order to be reimbursed.
Recovery & Moving on…
It takes minutes for a car accident to occur – but recovering from the same could take weeks or even months. Your most trusted skills here would be your diligence and patience – as you will need them in spades. Remember that you will need to navigate the aftermath and get back to normal – all of which requires time, energy, compassion (both towards yourself and others), and the ability to make an informed decision.
The good thing about this is that you are not on your own entirely – you have attorneys, medical professionals, mental health professionals and friends and family to give you a helping hand. Make sure to be active, take care of yourself and reach out and accept help when you need it.
