People spend hours of their day in their vehicles. We have to go to work, take the kids to school, go on grocery runs, and deal with everything else in life that isn’t within walking distance from home. It stands to reason that car crashes happen every day.
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of fatalities, injuries, and PTSD around the world. While most crashes are minor irritants, some can be serious. If you’ve been in a recent car accident, here are a few tips to help you manage.
First Steps
Let’s say you’ve just been in an accident. It is shocking and scary, but if you’re prepared, you can react calmly and properly.
The first thing to do is to get to safety. Park your car if you can, put your hazards on, and make sure everyone is safe and unhurt. If someone is injured, call the paramedics. Some injuries aren’t that obvious right away, so you might have to see a doctor anyway.
Next, get out of the car and call whatever emergency services you need. Make sure anyone else who was involved is unhurt and get the relevant information from them, including their name, contact number, and their insurance details. Take photographs of the scene if you can.
The emergency services should arrive shortly and deal with the scene, so follow their lead when they do.
Car Repairs
Drive or have your car towed to a nearby mechanic. They will assess the damage and the costs. In some cases, you might be able to pay without involving your insurance.
If the car needs spare parts, make sure you get parts appropriate for the make and model of the vehicle. So, a Mazda car would benefit most from Mazda parts, and so on. This will make sure your car looks and drives like new.
Some insurance companies offer a courtesy car while your car is being repaired or in case you need to replace it.
Injury and Emotional Distress
Unfortunately, injuries and emotional distress are both common issues after a car crash. As mentioned above, even severe injuries might not be obvious in the heat of the moment, as pain can take a while to set in.
If you notice any pain or neurological symptoms after a car crash, see a doctor right away. The sooner it gets diagnosed, the more effective the treatment might be.
Injuries are rarely just physical. Some people struggle mentally due to the injury or the stress of the crash itself. Don’t ignore this, seek help as soon as you can so you can better cope.
Making a Claim
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you might benefit from making a claim, especially if you were injured and heavily financially impacted by the accident. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the benefit of a claim, and then guide you through the process. It doesn’t make the pain go away, but financial security can help.