Going through a car accident can be a traumatic event. One minute you are driving and the next you are on the side of the road trying to figure out if there was anything you could have done to prevent the collision. Whether you’ve been in an accident or not, it can be an extremely frustrating experience.
However, one of the best things you can do to move on is to keep calm at the scene. You should also try collect as much information and evidence as you can and call for help.
Here are four steps that may help make the claims and recovery process easier:
- Check everyone for injuries
If you can safely exit your vehicle, it’s essential to see if anyone in the other vehicle is suffering from injuries. Take a moment to evaluate if you have any injuries as well. That way when you call 911, a quick survey of the impact of the crash will help you give the operator enough information to decide if both the police and ambulance should head to the scene. It’s worth noting that in the state of New York, accidents involving injury or death require a call to the local police department.
- Do some personal documentation
While you wait for emergency help or before you leave the scene, it’s important to gather some notes and capture some photos. Having an in-depth description of the scene and any evidence that points at the accident not being your fault will be crucial in the compensation process. Your notes and photos can include damage to your car, witness statements, where the accident took place and what the weather conditions were like. You should also be sure to exchange contact, insurance and license information with the other driver.
- Receive medical attention
Even if you feel completely fine, maybe just a little shaken up, seeing a doctor is still necessary. You should also track the pain you experience for many days after the accident, because whiplash-related and other common car crash injuries may appear later. In general, being proactive about injuries can help you recover sooner, and adrenaline can mask some serious injuries.
- Get vehicle damage estimates
Rather than getting your car patched up as soon as possible, shopping around and getting estimates can help you see what kind of costs you are expecting. Plus, if you are hoping to get the costs covered by insurance, then they will probably require you to show some paperwork that shows the value of the damage.
From fixing your vehicle to recovering from crash-related injuries, there are a lot of steps involved in recovering from a car wreck and bills can begin to stack up. Getting a legal expert’s opinion on your case may help you push the reset button and receive a fair settlement.