Thousands of car accidents happen per day; they’re a common occurrence but can have devastating effects on the victims involved. A car accident can change your life permanently in several ways; permanent injury, mental trauma, or even death. An accident can happen to the safest drivers, so it’s vital to understand common causes of accidents and what to do if you find yourself in one. Many people are unaware they may benefit from an attorney or must establish a police report when an accident occurs.
Types of Car Accidents
Accidents can happen for several reasons. It’s quite common for an accident to occur due to impaired driving; driving under the influence is dangerous and often causes deadly crashes. Distracted driving is the number one cause of most car accidents, from texting and driving to fiddling with the radio. Furthermore, many vehicles do not acknowledge motorcycles, which can also lead to horrific accidents.
Car Accident Prevention
There’s no way to guarantee an accident won’t happen; even the safest drivers are at the mercy of other drivers who may be distracted on the road. However, practicing defensive driving skills is a smart way to avoid most car accidents. Be certain that other motorists aren’t impacting the road before driving forward. Know when to brake or pull over to avoid impaired drivers safely. Always assume an impaired driver is on the road with you to keep yourself safe and alert.
After a Car Accident
A car accident may be inevitable for many drivers regardless of the precautions taken. It’s important to familiarize yourself with what to expect immediately after an accident as well as the days, weeks, and months following.
The Scene of the Accident
The scene of the accident can create strong emotions and high stress. Be certain to get to safety, assess injuries, and dial 911 for emergency assistance if necessary. In any scenario, authorities should be contacted regardless of accident severity simply to establish a police report—record contact and insurance information for all parties involved, including witnesses. Take photographs of injuries and vehicle damage for evidence.
Medical Attention
Even if injuries from the car accident are minor, it’s important to consider seeking medical attention. Establishing medical records for any injuries is smart, especially if you’re considering litigation. More importantly, many minor injuries such as head trauma may not seem dire at first but can become lethal as time passes.
Filing Insurance Claims
When your car is damaged in an accident, it will likely cost money for repairs. Car insurance should cover this. You will file an insurance claim, but whose insurance you file with depends on the state you’re in. Some states are no-fault, which means each accident victim will file a claim with their respective auto insurance. At-fault states require filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party. Most auto insurance companies require specific businesses to perform repairs.
Considering Legal Help
If you feel that you deserve compensation for injury costs and lost wages, you may want to consider finding an attorney to discuss your case. If the accident happened due to the actions of others or a malfunction in the vehicle, you may be eligible for a lawsuit. Many attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss eligibility. You will need an attorney in the state where the accident occurred if it is different from the state where you live.
Recovery
Healing from physical accident injuries may take a few days up to several months. However, accident trauma can cause lasting mental effects that can take longer to manage. Some trauma may never vanish entirely.
Physical Recovery
The types of physical recovery and how long they take depend on injury. Fractures can take several weeks to months to heal and may require physical therapy to retrain joints and muscles to function properly. Abrasions, burns, and other wounds may require stitching, heavy bandaging, or even surgery to repair (such as skin grafting). Some injuries are permanent, such as spinal injuries causing paralysis. In those cases, victims can only manage daily living the best they can.
Mental Recovery
Accidents can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can significantly impact daily living. Therapy, support systems, and mindfulness techniques are ideal for managing these symptoms. It can take months or years to learn to manage trauma symptoms with therapeutic techniques and medications.
Accident Casualties
It is not rare for an accident to lead to a casualty of a loved one. This is devasting and can be incredibly traumatic for surviving family members. In these cases, filing auto insurance claims can be more difficult, as well as any life insurance claims if applicable. An attorney can help with these processes to lower stress levels and reduce the time required. Loved ones will also likely want to plan and arrange a funeral to honor their deceased family member. Litigation may be ideal to cover these costs.
Conclusion
Car accidents are stressful and can be incredibly devastating for victims and their family members. How you respond to a car accident can make handling the situation much easier, from injury treatment to car accident claims. Some factors may delay or impact recovery, such as spinal injuries or lasting mental anguish. It’s important to consider litigation when applicable.
