Over 38,000 people die in road accidents in the United States every year. In addition, over 4 million people are seriously injured in these accidents. Following these collisions, what the victims do is very important.
At Georgia Injury Centers, we’ve treated several cases involving car accident victims. We’ve noticed that not everyone is aware of what they’re supposed to do after getting injured in a car accident, hence this article. This article looks at what you can do after being injured in a traffic accident.
What to Do After Getting Injured in a Car Accident
There are some things to do after getting injured in a car accident that would be valuable in the future. However, it is not just enough to do them; you must do them on time. In this section, we look at some of these things.
Call the Police
Usually, the police may come to an accident scene even if no one calls them. However, you can call them and inform them of the accident. They will conduct some investigation to determine what happened and prepare a crash report.
In conducting this investigation, they will speak to eyewitnesses, examine the scene of the accident and assess the damage done. Sometimes, they may also make a conclusive report showing who was at fault for the accident. This can be a very important piece of evidence when proving fault.
Get Medical Treatment
This is probably the most important thing to do after a car accident. Get yourself checked by medical personnel. This will help you discover injuries you are unaware of, as not all injuries in a traffic accident are immediately evident.
The first examination may not be enough, and you may be asked to return for further checks. Some injuries do not show up until after some time, so you want to be prepared. Ensure you are properly checked and have all necessary tests run.
Running these tests would reveal every injury sustained, making it easier to tie them to the accident. Some people are reluctant to have extensive checks done, but this is not the time to do so. Your focus should be on your health.
Obtain the Contact Information of Witnesses
If you wish to receive compensation after an accident, you must show who was at fault. Doing this would require you to produce evidence to show who is at fault. One factor that could help you is the testimony of eyewitnesses. Ensure that they are credible by confirming that they saw everything that happened.
Anything that suggests that they could be biased would not count in your favor. Not all eyewitnesses will be willing to talk to you, especially if they feel that doing so will be stressful. Simply move on to anyone who will talk and get their names, phone numbers, and any information that will be helpful.
Get an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
You’ll need a personal injury lawyer whether you are at fault for the accident or not. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer will help you get adequate compensation if you’re not at fault. In addition, they have your best interests and would help you prepare for your case.
An attorney will also help you get evidence and any information that is relevant to your claim. Paying for their services is not an issue as most of them work using a contingency fee agreement. That means they don’t get paid unless you get paid.
Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone
You can expect to get a visit from insurance adjusters as soon as you get injured. Regardless of what happens, do not speak to them without your lawyer being present. Whatever you say to them would be used to try to get you a lower settlement or nothing at all. Therefore, you must be careful. If they contact you before you can get a lawyer, ask to reschedule until you can have your lawyer with you.
Receive Help From Professional Medical Personnel in Georgia
The best thing to do after an accident is to get professional help. Even if you feel okay, ensure that medical personnel checks you. At Georgia Injury Centers, we provide professional care to our patients. We do this by employing qualified professionals interested and invested in their job.
We also take it a step further by building partnerships with law firms. Consequently, our patients get not only medical care but also legal help. If you’ve been injured in an accident or know someone who has, you can visit us today and get the best professional care available.