What to Expect After Getting Into a Car Accident

Although everyone tries to avoid them, car accidents happen a lot. Even though the number of accidents has been drastically reduced in the last fifty years, it’s best to know what to do in case they happen. Most driving instructors will provide you with knowledge on how to use a first aid kit, but there’s a lot more to know than that.

Preserve the Evidence

If you get into a car accident, you’ll have to pull yourself together as soon as possible. Chances are that there might be another vehicle heading your way. Get out of the car right away. Call 911 once you are safe, and when the officer arrives, tell them exactly what you remember. If you’re injured, request that they send an ambulance as well.

Before law enforcement and medical help arrives, it’s best to preserve the potential evidence related to the car crash. Since you probably have a smartphone, use your phone’s camera to take pictures of the vehicles. Pay attention to anything that could have caused you or the other person to crash into each other. For instance, some obstacles on the road or unmarked pot holes. This is important because the driver that caused the accident might not remember the reason due to a concussion.

 

Expect Different Emotions

Everyone reacts to car accidents differently. One might experience shock, disbelief or denial almost instantly after the car crash occurs. While the realization that you’ve either been in a car crash can cause these emotions, it’s important to stay focused and try to remain safe. You need to overcome these emotions and stay calm until the situation is under control. You might feel these emotions a couple of days after the crash, and in rare cases there is even a possibility of trauma.

Other emotions you might feel include anxiety, anger, and guilt. While they are natural, it’s important that you don’t respond to them. Keeping your head clear is important because you need to have a full situational awareness at the time. The best way to remain calm is to take deep breaths. Deep breaths are going to help you suppress adrenaline that might act as an amplifier for negative emotions.

Contact an Insurance Company

After a car accident, contacting your insurance company is inevitable. You’ll have to give a call to the company, regardless of who’s guilty. Get the insurance carrier’s name and insurance policy number of the other driver. This information will be on the police accident report. Their insurance should at least cover any injuries you might’ve received as well as the cost of repairing your car.

Your insurance, however, should cover the cost of any immediate necessary help that you might need. Keep in mind that you should never lie to your insurance company. This could lead to great consequences. You don’t need a lawsuit for possible coverage denial for the accident.

Check for Injuries

Even though you might not feel hurt, there’s a possibility that you suffered an injury from the incident. Since car crashes can be stressful, participants of the accidents usually have a higher level of adrenaline. The high level of adrenaline can conceal the pain. Check for any external injuries that you can spot right away and call for medical help.

Some injuries may be internal, so you’ll need to keep an eye on that too. Don’t overlook bruises since they could indicate that there is internal bleeding. Also, be aware that in a rush to help you, medical practitioners might make a mistake. If they do, and they cause your injuries to get worse by misdiagnosing you, you should contact a personal injury solicitor.

You should also be aware that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) are common in many car accidents. This is one of the hidden problems of a car accident, as well as many other psychological disorders.