10 Steps to Take after You Get Into a Car Accident

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Assuming you own a car, your chances of getting into an accident are greatly increased. Despite following all traffic guidelines, you will still come across drivers who don’t. Since two in ten accidents result in death, you should know what to do if you are involved in a traffic accident.

In most cases, knowing how to seek medical help will double your chances of survival. In addition, if you caused the accident, you need to know how to deal with the situation in order to reduce the likelihood of incarceration. For example, if you collide with another car due to drunk driving, a direct call to the DUI attorneys in your area gives you the confidence to enforce your right to preserve evidence.

Although drinking and driving is a crime with severe consequences, make sure the police do not misreport your alcohol levels. In the courtroom, these levels determine whether you will pay a fine or receive a prison sentence. Typically, fatal injuries will punish you severely than the other way around. Nonetheless, the following steps will guide you through the initial trauma of a collision:

1. Fight the urge to run

After the collision, if you are still conscious, the adrenaline will set in and you may be tempted to drive or run away from the crime scene. This reaction is especially true if you have multiple DUIs and want to avoid punishment. Unfortunately, a hit and miss can result in up to 15 years imprisonment, which you can avoid by staying on the scene until the police and doctors arrive.

2. Protect the scene

You can get out of your car and check on the other driver. If there are no serious injuries, you can go to the side of the road and wait for the police. If the other driver is injured, call the emergency hotline immediately. Of course, assuming you are injured, ask the other driver or passers-by to call the ambulance.

Keep your headlights on while you wait in the event of a car crash at night. If your lights aren’t working, use a flashlight instead.

3. Call the police

Your call police should be among the first as they are responsible for traffic accidents. They can also sign your proof of insurance before showing it to your insurance company. Make sure your vehicle stays where it is after the accident, unless it obstructs the flow of traffic. Say your car is blocking traffic, take a picture of it before the police move it.

Finally, let the police consider your events for a court testimony. Include exactly all the details that you remember without hesitation. If you cannot remember certain parts of the car accident, make this clear to investigators. Please do not make assumptions or estimates of fact; some injuries or impact trauma may manifest hours after the accident. Also confirm that all the information given by the other drivers is correct.

4th make photos

Aside from the damage to your vehicle, take pictures of any injuries you may have as these pictures will serve as evidence during the investigation. In addition, your insurance company will also use these images when assessing your compensation claim.

5. Exchange information

First find out the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the other drivers involved in the accident. Second, you will get the same information from the passengers; they might come in handy as defense witnesses. Third, get information from passers-by who saw the collision. Similarly, they can also submit your account details to the police and insurance company. Last but not least, the contact to all insurance companies for the cars involved in the accident.

Typically, the police detectives record all of this information. For example, you may have passed out after the impact; You can obtain the above notification from the local officials. Usually each police officer is assigned a number; So use these numbers to get the police report.

6th to report an accident

The sooner you report your damage to insurance companies, the more likely it is that you will receive compensation or insurance coverage. For example, some companies offer car insurance with accident-related health insurance. First, find out if the insurance company pays your medical bills; if they do, use it. If you have this health insurance, submit your medical bills to the insurance company as early as possible.

Remember, if you already have Medipay benefits from your auto insurance, your tariffs shouldn’t increase after use, even if it was an offer that was used as an enticement. However, use private health insurance afterwards. Fortunately, Medicare covers all vehicle occupants’ bills at the time of the car accident.

7th Seek medical treatment

Now that you have health insurance, visit a hospital emergency room (ER) for screening. Sometimes accidents cause internal bleeding, which is the leading cause of death in car crash injuries. Most pain will not manifest itself until a few days later; Who knows; then it may be too late for you.

Even if you have lost consciousness for a few minutes after impact, you should see your doctor for clarification. Chronic conditions like spinal cord injuries are often the culmination of minor untreated trauma. Therefore, avoid permanent damage to your vital organs by seeing the doctor for a thorough examination.

8th. Keep a file

As mentioned earlier, crime scene reports and pictures are evidence of your account. This information should be as detailed as necessary, including official names and updated contact addresses. Missing a witness or providing a wrong detail can change your chances of getting redeemed or acquitted.

9. Protect your rights

Of course, despite the situation, you have the right to legal representation. Don’t hesitate to consult with your lawyer about the possible direction of your case or insurance claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to rush you with every accident. This process can confuse you, especially if this is your first time making a claim. If you’re not careful, you may unknowingly provide incriminating information. Therefore, your attorney should be available to you throughout the process.

10. Get help

If you have more than two DUIs, you will need professional help. because in the end your luck runs out. The court will withdraw the lawsuit and you will have to serve a sentence. So get help with your Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) before it gets worse. Then get your life back on track before getting behind another wheel.

Better still, if you are a social drinker you will always have a designated driver. You can get the drinking label for the Diageo website; learn the practice of safe drinking.

Final thoughts

It will never be safe for you to drink and drive. Not only is it illegal, but it has also imposed penalties in various states. However, alcohol consumption is at an all-time high due to the pandemic. Therefore, the power for drunk driving relief still resides in your ability to stay safe and refrain from drinking under the influence. All the safety functions of modern cars can only warn you of impending dangers, but not stop you.

Although different levels of alcohol in your blood affect your body differently, alcohol levels as low as 0.08% can reduce your cognitive ability to respond to an oncoming car. Practical driving, however, depends on your ability to turn around a curve and stop quickly at crosswalks. So please be on the safe side, do not drive a car even if you have drunk little alcohol.

Understandably, get help when dealing with alcohol. This decision will save your life as well as that of other passers-by. The misconception of immunity to the effects of alcohol can cost you your life and that of your loved ones.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/10-steps-to-take-after-you-get-into-a-car-accident/