Unfortunately, car accidents happen all the time, and if you have been hurt in one this can be extremely overwhelming. It can be difficult to know what to do next, especially if you or a loved one has sustained severe injuries. It’s important to be prepared and understand what to do next if you find yourself in this situation. 

If you have been hurt in a car accident, here are 6 steps you need to prioritize to protect yourself.

1. Get Medical Help 

First and foremost you need to check yourself out and any other passengers in your car for injuries. Your health is the utmost priority in this situation and it should not be taken lightly. You should seek medical assistance as soon as possible, even if you think you are not hurt or not badly hurt, some injuries can be hidden and these can be severe. If you or any of your passengers have experienced any injury to the neck or spine, do not move the injured persons as some injuries can become permanent if moved incorrectly. This can sound all very frightening but it is better to be prepared and understand what needs to be done to ensure your safety and the safety of others. 

You mustn’t take any chances with your health, so ensure you get the help you need and make this your number one priority. Do not be afraid to ask doctors questions or to raise any concerns you may have. It is their job to listen and help you so make sure you are leaving medical facilities with the answers and help you need.

2. Collect Evidence

Once you have received the medical assistance you need, you will have to start thinking about gathering evidence. This can be difficult following an accident as emotions are running high but it is so important that you do collect all the evidence you can as this will give you a better chance at getting the justice you deserve. Take photos of the scene, your car, and any injuries you have sustained if they are visible. While it can be emotionally triggering to take photos of any injuries, it really does help when it comes to building a full picture and account of what has happened. Additionally, police will have taken witness reports and your doctors will have written medical reports, both of which can be used as evidence. It will also be necessary that you prepare an account of what has happened. This might not be possible depending on whether you were knocked unconscious or if you mentally blacked out, in this case, you will be asked to report on what happened until that point. 

Regardless of whether or not you think something is relevant to your case, it is better to collect as much evidence as possible rather than not collecting enough to present a case. A detail that you may think is insignificant can make a big difference in your case, so be sure to collect all the evidence you get your hands on. 

3. Seek Legal Advice

The next step you need to prioritize is seeking legal advice to help you navigate through the legalities of what happens next.  Specifically, you want to seek advice from car accident lawyers as they will have the necessary experience to protect you and ensure your full rights. If your car accident was the result of a negligent driver, they will guide you through the claims process to make sure you get the rightful compensation you deserve. While money cannot undo the trauma that the car accident has caused, it can provide a little bit of help on your journey to recovery.  Alternatively, if another driver is trying to claim that you were at fault in the accident, having experienced attorneys on your side will be essential in protecting you. 

4. Talk To Your Car Insurance Company

You will need to make sure that you have a conversation with your insurance company as it is best that they hear about the accident from you and as soon as possible. Your insurance company can tell you what costs will be covered and how to file your claim for the damages. Whether or not your medical costs are covered will depend on your insurance policy.

1. Get A Medical Check-Up

Following these steps, you should get another medical check-up. This is just to make sure that your injuries are healing well and that no other injuries have come to light in the days following the accident. Sometimes, when you are in the moment of a car accident your adrenaline levels are running so high that you may not even notice an injury or pain you have. As we mentioned earlier, your health needs to be your number one priority and so it is good to go for a follow-up just to make sure that everything is okay and accounted for. 

5. Get The Support You Need

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye but their consequences can last a lifetime. Aside from physical trauma, you might experience emotional trauma too. In this case, you must seek the comfort of any support groups you may have, for instance, talking to friends and family about your ordeal can help you come to terms with what has happened to you. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and if you can feel it beginning to deteriorate it might be worth speaking to a mental health professional. If talking to friends and family is not enough, then know that there is no shame in seeking a little extra support from a professional. While it might seem daunting, undergoing a course of therapy can help you manage the effects and trauma that you are dealing with post-accident. 

Post-accident shock can be debilitating but the faster you act the better. And so, should you ever find yourself hurt in a car accident you must prioritize these 6 steps to make sure you are covered medically and legally. 

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