It’s never easy being at the receiving end of a horrific accident, especially when you’ve been hit head-on by a tractor-trailer, going at a speed of 100 miles per hour. Much has been written about what you need to do in order to recover from this kind of trauma, but it’s equally important to know what to do immediately after the accident.
There are many factors that loom ominously over the heads of victims- instant medical care, doctor’s bills, being financially insured, dealing with the police, worry about loss of employment, bringing the culprits to book- the list can be rather endless. In times like these, it helps to have specialized attorneys who can take care of all these nitty-gritty details, while you focus on getting better.
1. Call a friend:
Obviously, one of the first people a victim would call is a family member or a friend who post the incident. Keep your mobile phone fully charged at all times and also keep a copy of emergency contact numbers on a sheet of paper in your wallet. That way, if you are severely injured and unable to call, a bystander would be able to do the needful.
2. Get details:
If you are conscious and able to speak clearly, ensure that you get the name and vehicle number of the other driver involved in the accident. The police will obviously get all the relevant information, but it helps if you can be of assistance. In case the accident goes to trial, you would need evidence to prove that you were not at fault. Try and capture photos of the accident scene, even if it means you only have your mobile phone’s camera handy at the time.
3. Seek immediate medical care:
One of the crucial things that you need to do is seek instant and professional medical care. You may assume that you are fine since there aren’t too many visibly broken bones or tissue injuries, but you would have no way of knowing if there were any internal injuries. A qualified doctor would have to look you over and confirm that you are out of danger.
This is also important from a legal perspective. Clients who claim damages from truck companies without valid medical proof of injury or damage cannot hope to gain anything. A medical certificate that contains details about how severely you were injured would go a long way towards your monetary compensation.
4. Contact your insurance company:
Always call your insurance company after the accident. There will be plenty of fine print to wade through and discover exactly how much the other party is liable for. This is something that the insurance experts are trained to do. More significantly, it will be in your best interest to call the insurers, as they would help you work out the most beneficial claim in that particular incident.
It is also the duty of the insurance company to settle all claims in a situation of this sort and calling them on priority would be to your advantage.
5. Seek legal counsel:
As mentioned before, it is terrifying to be caught in a car crash. In a crisis like that, it helps if you have a professional by your side, who will fight your battles for you. Opt for legal counsel, as soon as you feel fit enough. Walk the attorney through the entire incident and go over all details as requested. If the accident turns into a court battle, rest assured that your attorney will have your back and ensure that you get the best financial compensation possible to help you get back on your feet.
Mike, is an insurance agent for the last 15 years and out of his extensive career in cash value life insurance, he began writing about investment techniques for individuals. He wrote about whole life insurance as an investment defining the varied range of benefits of insurance in one’s life. His famous article is on topics such as
truck crash lawyer
In the aftermath of a terrible accident, it can be a daunting task to decide what to do and who to call. Fortunately, here are some tips to help you walk through that post-traumatic stress.
