What should I do if I am injured in a car accident?
Sustaining an injury in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. Several guidelines may prove helpful in the immediate aftermath of an accident and beyond.
Pennsylvania drivers who have been involved in a car accident know that this can be a traumatic experience. This is especially the case when the accident results in a personal injury. If this unfortunate circumstance takes place, there are a number of guidelines that can help injured victims through the ensuing process.
Stay where you are
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, many injured drivers are not sure of the next steps to take. The first point to remember is that all drivers must remain at the scene of the accident until appropriate measures have been taken.
According to Pennsylvania state law, subsequent to a car accident, all drivers involved are required to render aid where possible and provide information about the accident to authorities. It is also critical to remember that leaving the car itself could be dangerous, given the likelihood that other motor vehicles are still passing through the scene of the accident. For this reason, checking property damage is probably something that can be postponed for safer conditions.
Get the care you need
The priority after a car accident is your health, which may mean promptly treating injuries sustained during the accident. There are at least two parts to this process. One is cooperating with emergency personnel who may arrive on scene to help with what they can, especially if a personal injury requires urgent care. Car accidents can be traumatic and victims may find themselves in a state of increased anxiety, panic or even shock. Consequently, making a deliberate effort to remain calm may be beneficial. Another part to the process is seeking treatment later – the next day, the next week, or whenever the injuries manifest themselves – to address whatever injuries may have been incurred.
Report the accident
There are also at least two reporting requirements associated with involvement in a car accident. The first is to provide an accurate version of the events that led to the car accident to the authorities that arrive on the scene. Other drivers involved in the accident may provide inaccurate versions of the events in order to avoid their own liability for what happened.
The second reporting requirement is to notify your own insurance company as soon as you can. The other driver involved in the accident will most likely do the same thing, which means that the other driver’s insurance company will probably call you. When they do, they will probably ask you to give a recorded statement. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. It can affect your rights in the future with respect to the accident.
Partner with an attorney
Because the consequences of a car accident injury can be so influential on one’s health, well-being and financial position, it is important to be fully aware of your rights and responsibilities at each step afterward. Partnering with a personal injury attorney will assist you in protecting yourself.
Keywords: car, auto, accident, injury