In the United States in 2022, there were approximately 12.8 million traffic accidents, according to car accident statistics. Car accidents can traumatize your body and damage your property. For many people, the aftermath of a car accident is overwhelming.
The way you deal with your crash can affect your mental, physical, legal, and financial future. Get your life back on track by keeping your composure and handling the collision logically.
Steps For Dealing With A Car Accident
Your goals after a car accident should include the following:
- Deal with any threats to life or health
- Comply with traffic laws
- Preserve claims for injuries and property damage
- Approach the issues logically
The following steps can help you accomplish these goals:
Stop At The Scene
Every state has a hit-and-run law that requires you to stop at the scene of any accident that causes death, injury, or property damage. Drivers who fail to stop may face criminal charges resulting in jail time, fines, and driver’s license suspension.
You should stop at the accident scene or as close as possible without endangering yourself or others on the road. Once stopped, you should check on the other vehicle if your condition allows you to do so. Most states require you to exchange identifying information with the other driver.
This exchange should include the insurance information for both drivers. If you need to file an injury or property damage claim, you will need the other driver’s policy number and insurer.
Contact The Police
Most states require you to contact the police immediately after a crash involving fatal or non-fatal injuries. A police officer can assist with the aftermath of a car crash in the following ways:
- Managing the scene to prevent further collisions
- Calling tow trucks for the vehicles
- Evaluating any injuries and providing first aid
- Contacting paramedics for emergency medical care
- Investigating any crimes that might have occurred, such as drunk driving
- Investigating the crash and producing a car accident report
Even if your crash does not involve death or injuries, you should still consider calling the police to document when and where the crash happened. A police officer can also help the drivers exchange information if a crash report is not required.
Document The Accident Scene
In many cases, a police officer will capture digital photos and video footage of crashes to include with the crash report. These documents can help explain any citations the officer issued in the aftermath of the crash.
However, you should not rely on the police to fully document the scene because their goal is different from yours. You should also take photos at the crash site, including documentation of the following:
- Injuries you suffered
- Damage to both vehicles
- The broader crash scene
- Skid marks
You can also capture photos of anything else that might be relevant to the crash, such as photos of traffic signs or view obstructions.
You should also speak to any eyewitnesses and get their contact information. Eyewitnesses can be critically important for an insurance claim or lawsuit because they are usually neutral parties. The police accident report will also include names and contact information for any witnesses, and your car accident lawyer can use this information to interview them.
Seek Appropriate Medical Care
You should seek medical care appropriate for the severity of your injuries. If you cannot reach the hospital on your own, ask the investigating officers to call an ambulance. If you do not need an ambulance, promptly seek medical attention at a quick care clinic or your doctor’s office.
Even if you do not feel injured, it can be beneficial to seek assistance from a doctor. For example, you might have suffered hidden injuries like torn cartilage or a concussion. A doctor can diagnose any nagging symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan.
Talking to a doctor after a crash will help you document your injuries for any future insurance claims. Without supporting medical records, the at-fault driver’s insurer might accuse you of fabricating your injuries. Moreover, these medical records will be proof of your treatment and any future procedures you may require.
Call Your Insurer
Your auto insurance policy probably requires you to report all accidents, even if any of the following apply:
- You and the other driver agree not to file insurance claims
- You do not feel injured
- You do not believe the crash damaged your vehicle
- The other driver does not have insurance
If you fail to report the accident as your policy requires, your insurance company may cancel your policy or decline coverage if the other driver changes their mind and files a claim. As a result, you may be financially responsible for any losses suffered by the other driver because you will have no insurer to protect you.
On the other side of the claim, failing to report your crash to your insurer might imply to the at-fault driver’s insurer that you did not feel the accident was serious, which might lead the other driver’s insurer to deny any claims you file because you failed to document your losses.
Get Help
Many people can help you after your crash. Doctors can diagnose and treat any physical injuries. However, the effects of a car crash can go beyond broken bones or strained muscles.
Car accidents can mentally traumatize you. Mental trauma can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other anxiety disorders. PTSD can cause the following debilitating symptoms:
- Sleep disorders
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Emotional outbursts
If you experience mental or emotional symptoms after a crash, talk to your doctor. Counseling can often help victims process their trauma and recover their mental health.
Finally, you should consider contacting a lawyer. Without compensation, you will have to bear the burden of your losses, which may be significant, especially if you require medical treatment and suffer disabilities that prevent you from working.
Coping With Your Accident
Coping with the aftermath of an accident can be difficult as you try to juggle these multiple issues. However, seeking help for any physical and mental injuries and calling a lawyer to assist with the financial and legal matters can help get you through your accident.
