Hundreds of thousands of motor vehicle crashes happen every day across the world. A vast majority of crash survivors will be admitted into a trauma hospital as I write this and getting into a motor vehicle crash can be a life-changing experience. Knowing what to do in the aftermath can make a significant difference and your safety as well as your well-being are top priorities.
In our Crash Survivor Blogs, we tend to focus on the post crash aspect and how to manage your recovery but a vast majority of individuals reach out to us regularly asking what they should do and who they should speak with after being involved in a motor vehicle crash. Many of them have just gotten into a collision and many have already been discharged from the hospital and started their recovery at home. Others are months into their recovery journey without ever seeking legal advice and they need help. Here are some important steps that you should take immediately after being involved in a crash.
Stay Safe
Your safety for yourself and others should be everyone’s concern. Check for injuries and, if possible, move your vehicle to a safe location to prevent further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even minor injuries should not be ignored, as they are known to have delayed effects.
Call 911
In case of significant damage or injuries, call 911. A police report will be essential for insurance claims and legal purposes. Provide accurate information to the officers if possible.
Stay Calm and Cooperative
Remain calm and cooperative throughout the process, both at the scene and when dealing with emergency services.
Document the Scene
If possible, take photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, license plates, and any relevant road signs. These visuals can serve as valuable evidence later.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Promptly notify your insurance company about the motor vehicle crash and try your best to provide accurate details.
Understand Your Coverage
Review your insurance policy to understand your coverage and what it includes. This will help you know what to expect in terms of repairs, medical expenses, and any potential deductibles.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel injured immediately after the crash, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. Watch for delayed symptoms. Injuries like whiplash or internal trauma might not show immediate symptoms. Monitor your body and seek medical help if you experience any discomfort. Read more in our Crash Survivor Blog about the importance of seeking medical treatment: Seeking Medical Treatment After a Crash is Crucial.
Maintain Medical Records
Keep each and every medical record related to the crash. These documents will be crucial for insurance claims and potential legal proceedings.
Consult Legal Advice
If the motor vehicle crash resulted in significant damage or injuries, speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer. Many crash survivors we speak with wait weeks and even months before speaking lawyer as they may feel that they were not injured. Crash survivors often tell us that they feel bad for the driver that may have caused the crash but the reality is that you may need months or even years of medical treatments to treat your injuries so it’s imperative that you follow through. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and help guide you through the legal process. Most lawyers offer a free consultation so please take advantage of it!
Keep a Crash Journal
It’s important to keep a journal following a crash to help you recollect your experiences. In your journal you should record details regarding the day of the crash, the pain and symptoms associated with your injuries, the medical providers you received treatment from, any missed time from work and any out-of-pocket expenses incurred. In the event your case requires a lawsuit, it may take months to even years from the time of the crash to settle your claim. As such, you can use your journal to help you recollect details that may have become forgotten over time. The details following a crash may be clear immediately following it, but chances are you will not remember the details the same way several years later. You should write down all the details surrounding the motor vehicle crash shortly after it happens if possible. This may include: what you were doing the day of the crash, where you were heading, the weather and traffic conditions, how the collision occurred, conversations you had at the scene, etc.
Follow Through with All Medical Appointments
It is critical to follow through with all prescribed medical treatment and physical therapy following an injury in a motor vehicle crash. Physical therapy and subsequent medical appointments can be burdensome but they are necessary to help you recover from your injuries and restore you to optimal health. It’s critical to have a rehabilitation team in place!
Being injured in a crash can be an extremely distressing event, but knowing the immediate steps to take afterwards can help ease the process going forward. Prioritize safety, gather information, notify your insurance company, seek medical attention, and seek legal advice. Always consult with legal and insurance professionals for advice tailored to your crash. If you obtain legal representation, remain patient throughout the process when seeking compensation for your injuries and try your best to focus on your recovery.
After being injured in a motor vehicle crash, it is common to feel uneasy, confused, overwhelmed and you will have a lot of questions. Embarking on your journey to recovery is a courageous step. The Crash Support Network is pleased to provide you with a list of the most frequently asked questions that can be viewed here: Frequently Asked Questions.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
