
Accidents and injuries are serious incidents that require the utmost concern and attention. After any serious accident, you will definitely feel a range of emotion, and often feel flustered about how to proceed. It is important to remain as calm as possible, both to keep yourself conscious but also to be able to deal with the matters that have unfolded. Here are some important steps to consider when you have sustained car injuries.
Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
The first thing that you need to do when you are involved in a car accident and sustain any sort of injuries is to look out for the health and wellbeing of those involved. First, prioritize your health and safety, the check on those in your vehicle as well as those in the other car or involved in the accident as well. If you have been injured yourself, seek and call for help and for others to contact emergency personnel.
If you are able to move around, ensure that the scene of the accident is safe and if it is not, make sure that everyone stays a safe distance away, as fires and explosions could be a cause for concern, depending on the severity of the accident. Once everyone is safe, you can then proceed to other concerns such as contacting your emergency contacts, calling in tow trucks or police, as well as connecting with insurance companies.
Call the Police
After an accident, especially if it is a more serious one, you should call the police. There are several reasons for this. First, calling the police or your local emergency number will be able to bring or dispatch other emergency crews, not just law enforcement. This includes being able to call ambulances as well as the fire department. This is important because, at an accident, you don’t know what dangers are around, from potential fire hazards to debris on the road that could cause other damage and further accidents.
Additionally, the police can take down statements from those involved. This is crucial for having an unbiased third party to have on record for future use, whether that is for court proceedings or insurance purposes.
Contact a Lawyer
If you feel that there is foul play or irresponsible behavior involved in the accident, you should consider contacting a lawyer. Sustaining any sort of injuries that you feel are not a result of your own responsibility, or was not a genuine accident that should provide financial relief, you may have reason to file a claim or lawsuit and take the responsible party into court to negotiate a settlement. It is important that you have a car accident lawyer in Huntsville because they will understand how to go about further proceedings, filings, investigations, and ultimately representation. This will make the entire process much easier and less stressful for yourself, especially if you are dealing with your own injuries and are focusing on your own recovery.
Additionally, you still might want to consider hiring a lawyer even if you are unaware of the responsibility for the accident, especially if another party is holding you responsible. A lawyer will be able to argue your case in the matter, and even if you are found responsible, will be able to best negotiate a settlement that is fair for your side.
Prioritize Your Recovery
At the end of the day, your health is what truly matters. You need to ensure that you are taking proper care of yourself, even during legal matters. As discussed, you want to have a lawyer represent you, and doing so will alleviate a lot of the worry and weight off of your own shoulders so you can focus on your own health. Seeing a doctor or recommended health practitioner after your accident is important for several reasons. First, the initial examination will determine what health issues and concerns you have. This will allow you to make a case for either your legal case or insurance claims.
As legal matters continue over time, you need these health records to maintain your eligibility, as ignoring your own recovery could diminish your efforts. Having such health records is not only important after, but before any injuries are sustained, as this ensures you were healthy prior to the accident.
A car accident can and will oftentimes be a traumatic event. You will have to deal with both the mental strain and the physical injuries. It is important that you are thorough in ensuring your own safety and wellbeing, but also following all the necessary steps when looking at potential legal matters associated with the accident.