Being in a car accident is an incident many can hardly imagine. However, everybody needs to be aware of what to do if such a mishap occurs to you or your loved ones. These 5 steps will guide you in staying safe, remaining calm, and knowing what to do in seeking medical attention and for a car accident compensation.
Immediately After A Car Accident…
1. Check For Injuries
If you are driving alone, do a self-check. And if you are with other passengers, do the same for them. Direct questions which require only a yes or a no such as, “Is everybody okay?” or “Is anybody hurt?” will prompt quick answers from the crew.
If you observe that some of them are able to move about and are responsive to you, ask them to do self-checks for their own injuries while you inspect the conditions of those who seem to have been more impacted by the accident.
2. Call 911
This seems like an obvious recommendation. Yet the truth is that many who are in duress (along with bystanders) tend to forget to call said national emergency hotline, amongst other vital matters, due to shock and trauma. But calling 911 should be instinctive. Never forget to urgently give them a ring.
In the event that you are seriously injured and are unable to move, shout it out so that those around you will make the call.
3. Move Outside Of The Perimeter Of The Danger Zone
Dangerous collisions may lead to scenarios that are aggravated, in terms of the level of threat leading to casualties. Cars that have flipped over due to their speed and/or the force of impact, gasoline leaks, vehicles teetering on the edge of cliffs or bridges, etc. These pressing concerns warrant that you and the other passengers leave the scene immediately.
At least, do so if you are able to, as much as possible. If there are those in your group who are severely injured and according to your assessment, then waiting for help to arrive will be better for the victim/s. Constantly assure the victim/s that help is on its way.
4. Inspection For Claim Filing
Once you are out of the danger zone, do your best to make a report of the car accident. Often, such accidents cause those impacted by it to have their memories muddled. For the majority, as long as the victims do not incur severe head injuries, the memory loss is temporary (as with the case of most temporary TBIs or Traumatic Brain Injuries).
But beyond this, it is to arm yourself with the necessary information as you seek for compensation towards damages and injuries. Be as detailed as possible. And if you are not severely harmed, try to document it with photos, videos, and quick recordings of statements of the passengers and bystanders. These will also be helpful for when you file a police report.
Moreover, this may be a good time to exchange insurance information and contact details with the other driver and/or passengers your group had a vehicular collision with.
5. Do Not Leave
Do not leave the scene of the accident. Even if it appears as though all of the persons impacted by the collisions do not have any physical wounds and are responsive, it is still wisest to have emergency medical professionals diagnose each one.
Leave your hazard lights on and switch the engine off. If you have road flares, use those as well, for the emergency team to locate your area more easily.
