Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life that drivers face every time they get behind the wheel. Although most commutes are thankfully uneventful, it seems that car accidents are happening with greater frequency.
This is thought to be for a number of different reasons, with distracted driving being a leading cause. And with an estimated 660,000 drivers using their cell phones or mobile other devices at any given moment during the day in America, it’s easy to see how and why the number of car accidents continues to climb.
What You Can Do
Aside from being an aware and mindful driver, knowing what to do in the event of a car crash is also of great importance. The moments, days, and even weeks following a collision can be trying, and knowing the right steps to take following a car accident can help life get back to normal sooner. Even having a very general idea of what to do and when can make all the difference in the healing and recovery process in several ways, including legally, financially, and physically.
In the immediate moments and hours following a collision
After moving to a safe area away from traffic, it’s important to check all involved for bodily injury. Even in seemingly minor, fender bender car accidents, both the police and emergency medical technicians should be called. Often times, symptoms of car accident related injuries don’t manifest until much later, posing greater health risks. This is especially true of brain injury and other kinds of head injury. Receiving immediate medical attention is also important for legal purposes in which further action might be taken.
In the days and weeks following a collision
Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, retaining or at least consulting with a lawyer is always a smart move. The sooner after the collision you meet with an attorney the better, as the the days and weeks after a collision are among the most important times to consult a legal professional. This is especially true if the other party is at fault, and you are pursuing compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. Putting off seeking medical attention and legal counsel can hurt the outcome of personal injury lawsuits.
In the weeks and months following a collision
It’s extremely common for collision victims to experience symptoms of post traumatic stress, including anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia among others. Working with a certified mental health professional, such as a counselor or therapist, can help victims navigate and process their emotions following a collision in a healthy and constructive way. This support can work wonders in terms of healing the emotional wounds of a car accident and returning life to a sense of normalcy.
