Skip to main content

Cornell University

The Bookshelf

Exploring EdTech and Cognitive Psychology

How to Handle a Car Accident

file-6AAY.jpeg

Getting hurt in any kind of accident is at best an inconvenience, at worst a life-altering event. Even a minor injury can limit your ability to work and do your daily activities for some time. Besides pain and physical limitations, injuries can be a real headache when it’s necessary to get lawyers involved. A las vegas car accident attorney can help you to get compensated. While the time, money, and stress involved with getting compensated can be a pain in the neck, in addition to the physical pain you’re dealing with.

It’s important to know how to handle a car accident properly, from seeking first-aid and medical care to getting the compensation you deserve if someone else is responsible for an accident. While it’s difficult to know how you would react in the event of an accident, preparation will help you know what to do during and afterward. Here are some things to keep in mind.

What to do Immediately After an Accident

  1. Identify any injuries. If an accident involves multiple people, it’s important to identify who’s injured and what kind of attention they need. First, assess yourself. If you’re able, get out of the car to see how the other driver and passengers are. Even if you or someone else feels alright at first, there’s still a possibility that an injury has occurred. If someone is seriously injured, don’t move them until the paramedics arrive, unless they’re in a place that’s unsafe.
  2. Seek appropriate medical attention. If there have been serious injuries, it’s important to call 911 right away and get an ambulance to the site as soon as possible. Even if the injuries aren’t serious or there aren’t any injuries that are immediately apparent, it’s wise to get a doctor’s evaluation as soon as possible to make sure that you or anyone else isn’t injured.
  3. Talk with police and witnesses. If you’re physically able to do so, make sure you talk with the police when they arrive. Take note of their badge numbers and ask if you can get a copy of their report. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the scene and the cars involved and talk to any witnesses that saw what happened. Ask for their names and numbers so that you can contact them or refer the police or insurance company to them.
  4. Exchange information with the other party. Get their name and number as well as any insurance information. This will make it easier to file a claim with insurance and you’ll have all the information you need to get in contact.
  5. Don’t talk too much. If you apologize, even if it’s not with the intention of admitting fault, it can be held against you. Don’t say anything more than you have to, and stick to the facts.

What To Do Following the Accident

After the accident, there are a few things you have to do to ensure that you’re properly compensated for your injury.

  1. Document everything. You likely got contact information and pictures at the site of the accident, but that’s not the end of documenting the accident. Keep track of doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and any other financial burden related to the accident. You can use all of this to get sufficiently compensated for your losses.
  2. Get an attorney involved. If you’ve experienced serious loss or injury, it’s even more important to hire an attorney. They can walk you through what to say to insurance claims agents and police and help you to get the compensation you deserve.
  3. Contact your insurance. File a claim as soon as possible, and ask your attorney for help with what to say. Make sure to share with them all of the relevant information and documentation.
  4. Follow up on treatment for your injuries. Be sure to prioritize taking care of yourself after getting injured in an accident. After seeking first-aid and an initial doctor’s visit, make sure to make a follow-up visit and follow any treatment or prescriptions the doctor gives you. If you’re concerned about receiving compensation for medical expenses, talk to your attorney. They can help you to get the injury-related expenses covered by the at-fault party.
  5. Take time to destress. Dealing with the aftermath of an injury caused by a car accident can be consuming and stressful. While it may be necessary to make a lot of calls and do paperwork, you should do things to get your mind off of the accident. Taking walks and spending time with family and friends can help you to lower your stress levels and recover from your accident.

Getting into an accident and suffering an injury is stressful, but knowing what to do can help you to have more peace of mind. If you suffer from an accident, follow the tips outlined in this article. You’ll know what to do and how to receive compensation.