What to Do if You Have Been Injured in a Vehicle Accident

In a split second, a fairly ordinary commute in your car can turn into the stuff of nightmares. You try to hit the brakes, but it’s too late. Before your brain processes what’s happening, the airbag deploys, and you find yourself amidst a pretty nasty vehicular collision and in excruciating pain.

The entire ordeal can be disorienting and overwhelming. Aside from having to deal with the physical and emotional pain resulting from the car accident, you’ll also have to deal with the financial burden that follows. Think medical bills, lost income, car repairs, and insurance claims. In some cases, you may even have to pay for legal fees.

It’s best to be prepared before you find yourself in a road wreck. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of a vehicle accident can make all the difference in how smoothly your recovery goes, both in a physical and financial sense.

By being adequately prepared, you can make the best decisions to protect your health and your wallet. So, without further ado, let’s uncover what exactly you should do after a vehicle accident that has caused you a serious injury.

1. Get Yourself to a Safe Place

In the seconds you find yourself regaining consciousness after the vehicle accident, it’s important to assess your surroundings and evaluate the situation you find yourself in.

The number one thing you should try to assess is any injuries you may have in your body. Your body is likely in a heightened state of adrenaline, so it’s important to perform a visual inspection to see if you have any injuries in your body.

Once you’ve taken note of your injuries and their severity, determine if you’re capable of moving. If you can, then try to bring yourself to a safe area.

Depending on the collision, the road directly outside of your vehicle may be dangerous. There may be shattered glass around you, your injuries could be too serious to move safely, and nearby traffic might still pose an immediate danger on the road. In such cases, it may be best to wait for help to arrive.

But if you are able to move and have pinpointed a path to safety, then leave the vehicle and get yourself off the main road. Create a distance of at least 50 metres from the damaged vehicle if possible. This is especially true if there’s smoke, fire, or fuel leaks currently ongoing.

Above all else, it’s essential to prioritise your safety and ensure that you won’t expose yourself to any potentially hazardous situations. This way, you’ll cement your safety in a situation that’s still quite turbulent and unpredictable.

2. Gather Information on the Incident

Once you’ve created some distance between yourself and immediate danger, then collect important details about the accident. This step is vital to ensure that you can avail of insurance claims and be at a legal advantage.

If the collision involves two or more parties, then exchange information with the other driver. Gather their name, their contact number, their license plate, and their insurance provider. If there are any witnesses, document their information as well.

You should also take pictures and videos of the scene, the impact, all the vehicles involved, and other relevant information that could be used as evidence later on. You should also take pictures of your injuries, your passenger’s injuries, as well as the road and traffic conditions, as soon as possible.

Depending on the information you gather, you can put yourself at a major advantage when speaking with insurance providers or seeking legal advice.

For instance, if the vehicle accident was caused by a deliberate use of force by another party, then you can take photos/videos of them to increase your odds of getting an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO). Professional law firms, such as Astor Legal AVO Lawyers, can help you navigate this particular situation and ensure your safety.

3. Call Emergency Services

Another thing you should do as soon as you find yourself in an accident is to call emergency services.

In Australia, the number to dial to request police, ambulance, or fire assistance is 000. You should call this emergency number, explain your situation and whereabouts, and give them details of your current health and the situation in the immediate area.

With this information, you’ll be helping them understand the situation and deploy the right amount of resources to the site of the incident. This number can also dispatch police officers if the accident was caused by an aggressive, intoxicated, or hostile individual to ensure your safety.

Even if your injuries are minor, calling emergency services can help bring professionals to the scene of the accident. This helps you formalise a report that can make it easier for you to get insurance or file a specific legal claim.

4. Seek Medical Attention

In the event of a major, catastrophic car accident, it’s important to keep a close lookout at your immediate health needs. If you were driving alone and lacked medical supplies in the car, ask drivers and first responders if they can supply you with these things temporarily.

If you have been injured beyond belief after the accident, get yourself assessed and treated by a medical professional quickly. First responders like paramedics make for a great class of people to contact during a car accident, as they’re well-equipped with the tools and expertise to handle nearly any sudden health issue.

You may not feel it immediately after the accident, but you could develop injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding following the car crash. These health problems can cause even more health complications if left untreated.

In such cases, it’s important to call 000 or go to the nearest clinic to get the right treatment. By getting treated, you can prove your injuries to the insurance company when filing. This, in turn, allows you to restore your health while keeping your savings intact due to not needing to pay exorbitant medical bills requested by a real doctor.

5. Call Your Insurer

Once you’ve addressed immediate medical concerns, the next important step is to contact your insurance provider. The earlier you report an incident, the faster the claims process will be. Delaying the initial insurance call brings you further away from the ideal window to increase your claim success rate. As such, be sure to give them a call while you’re still on the roadside.

During the call, they may ask you for specific personal information. Fill out your information truthfully and honestly. They may also ask you to provide supporting details, like photos of the accident and medical documentation. Submit whatever is required from you and wait for approval.

Approval won’t take more than 12 months, more often than not. In any case, always keep a record of your conversation with the insurer to ensure that they won’t back down on their claims or pull a fast one on you. Similarly, ensure that you’re objectively clear and unbiased in your report to prevent them from rejecting you for faulty information as well.

6. Contact a Lawyer

Does your accident involve serious injury, disputed fault, or some sort of legal consequence? If so, then it may be best to get in touch with a Kent car accident lawyer after you’re done gathering evidence and getting to safety.

These legal professionals can guide you through the complexities of undertaking various legal actions, like filing insurance claims or sharing your compensation entitlements following a documented vehicular accident.

While lawyers can perform a lot of functions, they can cost quite a bit to hire. Most businesses have them on retainer, but you can use their services on a one-off basis if needed. Lawyers tend to have specialities that make them more proficient in some fields than others, and personal injury lawyers are the best ones to handle car accidents.

The reason why personal injuries are great is that they’re familiar with the laws surrounding vehicle accidents, liability, and compensation entitlements. Their knowledge allows them to help you identify ways to remain a free person or get the most compensation you can, all based on your specific case.

This greatly shifts the tides in your favour when the time comes for you to appear in court or get compensation for your injuries caused by another person. We hope these tips will serve you well in case you find yourself in this harrowing situation!