Many people have been involved in car accidents one way or the other and the effects can be disastrous. The initial reaction to an accident is always a very chaotic period marked by emotion, injury, and confusion. Once you start the process of healing, you need to take care of your body and your status.
Taking Care of Yourself after a Car Accident
In particular, after a car crash, it is vital to consult a doctor as soon as possible while necessary treatment can detect the presence of conditions that may worsen further. Here are some reasons why:
Identifying Hidden Injuries:
Accidents often involve car crashes, most of which lead to concealed injuries such as internal bleeding and traumatic head injuries. This way, such injuries are diagnosed and treated early if you do not go for medical help immediately with whatever injuries you have.
Documenting Injuries:
Lastly, people also go to the hospitals, for documentation on the injuries that can come in handy in court, in the case that you file for compensation for your losses.
Following Medical Advice:
Your treatment will then be directed by your healthcare provider depending on the severity of your injuries, and you should always heed these recommendations to experience minimal discomfort and regain your health as soon as possible.
Common Car Accident Injuries and Their Long-Term Effects:
It is a common understanding that car accidents may produce a spectrum of injuries, from slight ones to critical ones. Some common injuries include:
Whiplash:
Whiplash is a neck injury resulting from accelerated, forceful jerking motion of the neck back and forth. Neck pain and stiffness are predominant but other signs are also observed such as, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. On occasion, whiplash will result in long-term pain and disability.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs):
TBIs are Concussions that happen when an outside force that is hard enough impacts the head and damages the brain. A serious concussion can lead to a coma; symptoms can be headaches, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or paralysis.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Such as, spinal cord injuries lead to paralysis of the limbs, loss of feeling, and the ability to control limbs and muscles. It is important to know that such injuries can impede an individual’s ability to be active or live independently for the rest of his or her life and need continuous medical attention.
Broken Bones:
Fragile bones are typical in car crash victims, as well as minor breaks, and may even call for surgery. In rare instances, injury to bones – also known as fractures – might result in further problems in the future, including joint inflammation or chronic pain.
Internal Injuries:
Hemorrhaging or damaged organs internally can go unnoticed for some time, the body not showing signs of harm. These injuries may be mechanical, such as damage to internal organs and major blood vessels, hemorrhage, compressed lungs, and much more. Failure to seek medical help for internal injuries can prove fatal or lead to other serious complications.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After an Accident
Insurance service providers can be very demanding to deal with, even as a customer, especially when you are nursing an injury. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Report the Accident:
It also calls for giving your insurance provider as much information about the accident as possible at the earliest convenience.
Be Cautious with Statements:
Watch your words when talking to insurance companies, as they may twist your words to reduce what you are owed. The best approach is to give short and concise answers and refrain from giving your assumptions about the incident or the injuries sustained.
Gather Evidence:
Document the case through photographs of the accident scene, the car or cars involved, and your injuries, if any. Do not forget to write down all the communication with the insurance company and any other healthcare centers you visit.
Keep Records:
Keep a record book where you are to detail all the results of the physical and emotional recovery, the pain you feel, the treatments you undergo, and any step backward that may happen. This information can be very important in evaluating your claim and the compensation you will be entitled to.
Negotiate Carefully:
In case, the insurance company offered you an amount that is in no way enough then it is about time for you to haggle. It is for this reason that an experienced personal attorney will be useful in determining your rights and seeking justice for you.
Duties of Personal Injury Legal Representatives
Hiring a personal injury attorney like those at Council Bluffs car accident law firm can greatly help you, especially now that your case is a little complicated. Here’s how they can help:
Investigating the Accident:
Personal injury attorneys can seek facts involved in the occurrence of the accident as well as establish all the individuals that have contributed to your injustice.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies:
An attorney can carry out communications with insurance firms on your behalf with a view to protecting your interest.
Filing a Lawsuit:
In case an out-of-court settlement cannot be reached your lawyer is always ready to take the case to court to seek redress.
Providing Legal Guidance:
Your lawyer is an integral part of your case your whole time and he or she will be advising you on your rights and the best way forward as you pursue your case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
It is quite useful to know what kinds of situations can cause car accidents so that you avoid such a scenario. Some of the most common causes include:
Distracted Driving:
Other forms of destructiveness on the road include such activities as texting, eating, or even changing the radio station which are some of the leading causes of accidents.
Impaired Driving:
Alcohol, drugs or some medicines also facilitate your ability to judge, react, or coordinate, and this increases your danger of getting into an accident while driving.
Speeding:
High speed is dangerous because it leaves you with little time with which to respond to signs of danger as well as makes the car difficult to maneuver due to the reduction in the stability.
Reckless Driving:
Some risks on the roads surface from reckless driving which include; driving close to the car ahead, driving all over the lanes, and driving through red light.
Drowsy Driving:
The risk of driving while sleepy is quite damaging as much as driving while intoxicated because sleepiness reduces one’s ability to reason properly and respond to any incidents adequately.
Poor Weather Conditions:
Some environmental factors include, rains, snow or fog which cause some roads to be slippery and affect the visibility hence increasing the chances of an accident.
Vehicle Defects:
Various flaws that exist in vehicle designs, assembly and maintenance result in breakdowns that contribute to the occurrence of accidents. For instance, bad brakes, steering compromise, or blowing off of tires.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Being aware of when and how to act in the wake of a car accident insulates you and your legal rights. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Check for Injuries:
Check for the injuries of yourself and your passengers and summon an ambulance if some of the passengers look unconscious or seriously injured.
Move to a Safe Location:
If at all possible, get your car out of the traffic lane but do not park haphazardly such that you are blocking the traffic or hindering the investigators’ work.
Call the Police:
They always should call police after an accident even if it seems to be a small one. They will prepare an official report about it which may be useful if there would be a court proceeding.
Gather Information:
Identify the other driver(s) and collect his/her/her full name and contact details, including his/her/her address and phone number, as well as the insurer and policy number. Also, try to obtain the phone numbers of any other witnesses to the event.
Document the Scene:
Make sure to have photographic evidence of the accident, the damages on the car, and the injuries that you and anyone with you at the time of the accident might have suffered. If possible take picture with disposable camera or with the help of your phone.
Obtain Witness Information:
Where possible the contact details of any eye witness to an accident scene should be obtained since their accounts can be vital.
Seek Medical Attention:
You should never assume that you haven’t sustained an injury, especially after the accident by car. Some injuries may be undercover and do not show signs of abuse right from the onset, but if treated early, they are okay.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Your insurance company should be informed as soon as possible after the accident; you need to explain the circumstances of the accident and any injuries you might have received.
Consult with an Attorney:
If you have been involved in a car accident leading to your injury, the best course is to seek advice from a personal injury lawyer. They can assist one in explaining what is permitted or prohibited by the law, in bargaining with insurance companies and in claims recovery for the damages.
Conclusion
Car accident trauma can take years to heal and the process can be physically and emotionally draining. What you can do: Opt for a healthier lifestyle, learn the causes of incidents, and turn to an attorney to get compensated. Bear in mind that you do not need to go through this journey by yourself – there are ways, opportunities, and tools to become even better for this challenge.
