Managing Personal Injuries: Legal & Medical Tips to Help You

There’s no doubt that vehicle accidents can be extremely traumatizing and scary. A vast majority of people (even the ones who haven’t been seriously injured) feel very confused and are not quite sure what happened.

And that’s completely understandable since this isn’t something that occurs to you every day. But bear in mind that if by any chance you’ve sustained some serious injuries, then there are some steps that you must take in order to speed up your recovery.

So take everything seriously. Now, if you’re not sure what needs to be done in these instances, then just cast your eyes on these tips below because they will tell you exactly what to do. Let’s check them out together!

Steps That Need To Be Followed After A Car Accident

Get Help Immediately

If you or anybody else who has been in the vehicle with you is injured, then you should immediately call 911 and seek help. If you do not notice any injuries right away, then you can postpone this step for a bit and instead call the police. 

Why is this so important? Well, if you have an accident report on record, you can use it if you decide to file a claim for injuries and damages.

The Next Step – Medical Treatment

Even though you may think that you haven’t sustained any injuries because you feel completely fine, don’t forget that some injuries may not be noticed immediately, but instead could develop a couple of days or even weeks after the collision.

Consequently, as soon you notice even the most benign injury, be sure to seek medical help as quickly as you can. Generally speaking, soreness after an automobile accident is normal and shouldn’t raise any concern, however, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should instantly call your physician:

• Decreased range of movement
• Serious pain
• Tingling
• Numbness 
• Stiffness
• Any kind of pain that radiates up or down your leg and/or arm
• Swelling
• Muscle spasm

Adding More Useful Advice Below

Do You Have An Attorney?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then it’s of huge importance to contact a lawyer. Why is this so crucial? Well, unlike the insurance adjusters, your solicitor will do everything that’s in his or her power to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. 

Remember that this is a person who has a plethora of experience with cases similar (or exactly) to yours and is capable of providing you with the proper guidance throughout this whole journey. Furthermore, your advocate will help you with various things, such as:

1. Settling your property damage claim
2. Getting cash or coverage for a rental car
3. Getting your auto repaired
4. Making sure that healthcare providers are giving you the best possible treatment
5. Decreasing medical liens

Now that you’ve gotten all your facts straight when it comes to this, it’s time to call an attorney. If you currently reside in the wonderful state of Illinois, then be sure to do your homework and find a resourceful and skilled personal injury lawyer in Illinois who is going to represent you. Don’t forget that it has to be somebody who is seasoned.

Get Your Vehicle Out Of The Road

The Insurance Information Institute has stated numerous times that in these instances, it’s important to clear the roadway as quickly as possible. You should get the vehicle out of the road so that it doesn’t disrupt the traffic. 

Now, if the collision has occurred at night, then you should turn on your automobile’s hazard lights so that other vehicles can notice you. If by any chance you cannot move your auto, then the least you can do is to get yourself (and anyone else who was in the vehicle) to a safe spot that’s far away from the road.

Evaluate The Scene And Exchange Information

Once you’ve made sure that all of you are safe, then the next thing that you should do is to begin taking inventory of what has occurred, while at the same time, taking measures to safeguard your rights. These are the steps that have to be taken after this type of incident:

• Take a picture of every vehicle that was involved in the collision, along with the debris in the place where everything happened.
• As aforementioned, move your car as quickly as you can once you take pictures of the scene. If it’s not safe, then don’t move it.
• Do not admit anything, do not apologize or say that you’ve made any mistakes regarding the accident. Now, this may seem weird and impolite to you but bear in mind that something like this can negatively impact your case. Of course, you can always be empathetic and do whatever you can to help someone receive adequate medical assistance, but that doesn’t mean that you should admit anything.
• Exchange contact information, as well as auto insurance info, with the other driver(s) on the scene. This is going to be essential, especially if, at some point, there are any claims related to the crash. You need to gather the following information: the name, address, and phone number of the driver, his/her insurance information (along with their policy number), the driver’s license number, the year, model and make of the automobile, along with the license plate number, photographs of the scene, property damage to the car and the accident and accident report number.

Go Home And Begin The Recovery Process

After all these steps are completed, it’s time to go home and start the recovery process. Keep in mind that no matter how great you feel, your body is traumatized and tired and requires a lot of rest and healing.

A vast majority of medical providers will tell you that if you do not take time to recover after this incident, you will add around six months to the recovery time.

We know it’s difficult to think clearly after something as horrible as this happens to you, however, there’s no other option but to do these steps that we added here because they are going to help you overcome every obstacle on this journey.