Auto accidents are never pleasant or planned. Actually, they are terrifying and often traumatising or deadly. Unfortunately, they’re not a rarity. Studies show that in 2015 roughly 6.3 million fatal, injury and property damage crashes occurred in the US alone. With nearly 264 million registered vehicles on the roads, it is inevitable that accidents will happen – as our auto-injury doctor in Spring Hill warns, there are many things to look out for, including careless drivers. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be aware of all aspects surrounding an accident prior to it happening.
Below we have compiled a list of 5 things that you should do post-auto accident to put yourself in the best position for your health, for your insurance claim and for your DOT physical in Hernando County.
Do not drive away from an accident, however minor it is.
Especially in the dark, protecting the scene can save lives – make sure the scene of the accident is visible from a distance, so other drivers don’t get involved. Also, protect yourself from the vehicles by disabling the vehicle and waiting for help on the side of the road – if possible move the vehicle off the road to ensure safety for the traffic.
Calling the police might not seem necessary in minor accidents, but insurance companies might be more generous to drivers who can provide a police report. So, if you don’t know your insurance policy by heart, be safe and call the police.
When waiting for police and assistance to arrive make sure to collect your own copies of photos and information about the accident and the other parties involved. The police, unfortunately, is a busy institution, hence it is not uncommon that some less urgent files get lost in the sheer amount of documents the stations have to go through. The details from the accident scene will be needed by your insurance company and your attorney, so collect your own copies to spare yourself trouble in the future.
When making the police statement, do not speculate, exaggerate or misstate any facts – it is better to say that you don’t remember something exactly than creating your own version of the events. For your own security ensure that the other persons from the accident make accurate statements. Also, inform your insurer as soon as possible. All the statements should include the injuries that were incurred during the accident, however, it is known that some pains and injuries become apparent a few hours after the accident. In that case, seek medical assistance and get in touch with the police, your insurer and DOT physical authority immediately.
As we have stated above, it is common for auto accident injuries to show up after some time. Our auto-injury doctor in Spring Hill stresses the importance of contacting a doctor immediately because in many instances injuries are zero-symptom injuries, for instance, internal bruising, trauma, or joint injuries. Additionally, if you are a commercial driver, then you must get a medical assessment to keep your DOT physical in Spring Hill valid.
The auto-injury clinic in Spring Hill often deals with the following post-auto accident injuries:
Last, but not least, contact your attorney. Do this to make sure crucial evidence does not get overlooked and you are treated fairly, lawfully and receive the compensation that you are entitled to. Insurance companies most likely will request a statement, so create one alongside your attorney, who will give you legal advice. Your attorney can also advise you on how to ensure full compensation for your vehicle, and on how to get the best medical treatment available.
With this knowledge, if an accident occurs, your adrenaline-rush kicks in and your instincts sharpen, at least the aftermath will not come as a surprise!
Most importantly, whether you experience an auto accident might be out of your control, but remember that you can still do your best to avoid it! Our auto-injury clinic in Spring Hill provides a detailed list of suggestions on how you can be safer on the road, starting from fastening your seatbelt and lowering the volume on your radio to getting enough sleep every night and expecting the worst from other drivers.
Following these steps will ensure your health is in the right hands, and your insurance claim and DOT physical in Hernando County are taken seriously.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
