Steps After a Car Accident

If you have been involved in a collision, you may be wondering what the steps after a car accident are. The moments after a crash are so important. You want to make sure that you are taking the proper steps to ensure that you have a successful claim.

Steps After a Car Accident | Get to Safety

Whether or not you are responsible for the accident, you are not legally allowed to leave the scene until you have spoken to law enforcement and received permission to go. Your highest priority is to get yourself to safety as well as any other parties involved. Be aware of any hazards such as leaking gas, sudden fires, and oncoming traffic as you move to safety. If you believe you are seriously injured and cannot move because of it, your priority becomes seeking emergency medical treatment. Ask anyone nearby to call law enforcement and an ambulance on your behalf.

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Steps After a Car Accident | Call 911

If you have not sustained serious and debilitating injuries, you should call 911 immediately in order to report the accident to the Police Department and request an ambulance if need be. Do not try to move anyone who has been seriously injured, and do not try to move yourself if you are in significant pain. If you do so, you run the risk of worsening an injury before an emergency medical professional can begin to treat it.

Steps After a Car Accident | Collect Evidence

You can begin to take stock of the car accident even before the police and an ambulance have arrived. You are compelled by law, of course, to exchange information with all other parties involved in the car accident. You should be ready to provide your name, address, license plate number, and insurance information upon request. Take as many photos of the scene of the accident as you can and be sure to collect accounts from witnesses. Once you reach out to a car accident lawyer, you will need to use this information in any claims you make and lawsuits you file.

Steps After a Car Accident | The Aftermath

The most common injuries stemming from car accidents are those to the head and neck. When a car, motorcycle, or truck comes to an abrupt stop, drivers and passengers can easily strike their heads against steering wheels, dashboards, projectiles, and even windshields. Traumatic brain injuries often result, and while some may be temporary concussions, those who survive car accidents can still suffer lasting cognitive damage. Whiplash, the ligament and muscle damage that occurs in the neck when the head is jerked back and forth, is also common.

Steps After a Car Accident | Treat Your Injuries

Other injuries that follow car accidents include trauma to the spinal cord, which can lead to permanent nerve damage; herniated disks, caused by displaced cartilage in the spinal column; tears in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); broken bones; and even collapsed lungs. All these injuries can be a burden to overcome, and it is important to document every last detail. This way, your Houston car accident attorney will be better able to help you receive necessary health insurance coverage. Call us today for a free consultation!