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5 Things You Need to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

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14th Feb 2020




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Worldwide, nearly 1.3 million people die in car crashes. This averages out to approximately 3,287 deaths per day, with individuals aged 15 to 44 accounting for more than half of these deaths. Fatal car accidents are the ninth largest cause of death in the world, so it's no wonder people are interested to know what they should do after an accident occurs.

 Though vehicles are incredibly helpful in commuting from point A to B, they pose a serious risk. From seeking the appropriate medical attention to filing a claim with your insurance company, it's important to know what to do after an accident happens. Here are a few things to keep in mind after a car accident to safeguard yourself:

  1. If there were no fatalities, still plan to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you or your passengers have survived a serious car accident, there are other health-related concerns for which you should seek immediate medical attention. After an accident, your adrenaline will kick in. This can mask some of the pain that'll accompany any injuries caused by the accident, so it's important to make sure you seek out a medical professional. They'll be able to tell you if you have a concussion or suffered any other injuries.
  2. Call the police. Once an accident occurs, you'll want to call the police. Along with the police, EMTs and other emergency professionals will likely come to the scene. However, making sure you have a legal record of the accident is valuable for your insurance company. Even if the accident was your fault, you'll need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company.
  3. Seek out the aid of an attorney. If there was another driver involved in the accident, and the crash was ruled in your favor, you may want to seek out a skilled attorney. In order to get the reparations you need to return to a normal life post-accident, you'll need a lawyer who is knowledgeable and well-practiced in your city and state's laws. Finding quality personal injury attorneys in Bakersfield will ensure that your case adheres to California state law. It also guarantees you'll have a fighting chance at seeking financial reparations.
  4. Prepare for any financial setbacks. Regardless of whoever caused the accident, crashes come with a hefty price tag. You might not be able to front the cost of fixing your vehicle before your insurance company or the other person involved can pay you. One avenue to pursue would be to pursue additional car loans so that you can pay for these repairs over a longer period of time instead of upfront. And if you had a stellar driving record prior to this current accident, you can save money on your car loan by receiving a lower interest rate.
  5. Keep a file for any future litigation. Though we all would hope that once an insurance claim is cashed in or a suit closed that the effects of a car accident would be over as well. That's not always the case. Unfortunately, additional medical concerns or issues related to your vehicle may arise months after a settlement has been reached. And there are some "rare situations" where further litigation is entirely acceptable. Some of these include: if you never signed a release of liability, if an agreement could not be met in court if legal malpractice occurred, and if there were other potential defendants in your case.

Car accidents are a harrowing experience that takes a toll on everyone involved. It's not an easy ordeal to go through, but following the appropriate measures can ensure the quality of your health and finances afterward.