Injured in an Accident? 5 Things to Remember!

It’s a fact that Car accidents happen every day all over the United States. Unfortunately, some of those accidents lead to injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012, alone, over 2.3 million people were injured in car accidents in the United States. If you’ve been in an accident, you know how hectic the scene can become very quickly. Witnesses start popping up, the Police, Fire Dept. and EMTs show up and start asking questions at what can seem like a stunning pace. Traffic is driving by, people are looking, and you’re worried about what all of this is going to cost you!

It’s at times like these when you have to take a deep breath and focus on the steps you can take to be certain that you receive fair compensation for damages you have suffered. If you are in a car accident and think you may be injured, here are 5 things you’ll want to remember.

It is very important to not discuss the fault of the accident with anyone, even the people that may have been in the car with you, and especially not with other drivers and passengers from other vehicles that are involved, and also to anyone else on the scene, including the Police. They will take your statement but should not ask you if you were at fault. Like we mentioned above, the scene of an accident is hectic. You have just been in an accident and a lot of things happened very quickly. You’re in an emotional state of mind and your interpretation of the event may be cloudy. If you’re asked directly if it was your fault, it’s best to just say you don’t know.

Take as many photos as you think are necessary to keep an accurate visual record of the accident scene. This includes damage to all property involved. (Your car, their car, and damages to any structures as a result of your accident.) Also take pictures of any injuries sustained during the accident, no matter how minor they appear. Not having photos of the accident can end up costing you later.

When things start wrapping up at the accident scene you should have Contact and Insurance information for each driver involved in the accident, photos of the scene and injuries, and a lot on your mind. Now is a good time to ask the police for a copy of the report they are filing so that you can review it for any errors, and keep it for your records. Take all of this information and store it in a single safe place, preferably a file that you can take with you to appointments. Also remember to make and keep copies of this file. You never know who might need some of that information!

Even if you think your injuries are very minor, it is a good idea to get an exam as soon as possible after the accident. Obviously, if you’re injured severely you’ll need to get immediate emergency care, but what if just got a little shaken up but feel okay for the most part? There are several types of Brain, Neck and Back injuries that can take up to 48 hours for their symptoms to manifest. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the harder it becomes to prove that the injury you were seen for happened at the accident. Tell your doctor what happened and let them decide if you have been seriously injured.

There may be times when you are asked to sign something without fully understanding what it is for. Or, you might feel like you are being pressured into admitting that you were at fault for the accident when you might not be sure yourself. Perhaps you do clearly understand what has happened and you want to make sure you get fair compensation for what has happened. In any case, if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ll want to contact a personal injury attorney. They will stand at you side to make sure your rights are protected and receive any compensation you’re entitled.

If this has happened to you, contact Carabin Shaw for a free consultation. Someone is there to answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We will be happy to discuss your case with you. 800-862-1260