7 Smart Things to Do After a Car Accident

These are the seven things to do right away after a car accident. Know how to keep yourself safe and protected by taking the right steps.

Nobody wants to plan for accidents. However, knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath can help you to begin the path to recovery and proper healing. At Guardian Medical, our team of doctors understands that seeing the right care provider can make all the difference when it comes to everything from getting the right treatment to creating proper documentation for claims. That’s why we stress the importance of taking the right steps following an auto accident. It’s vital to take the right practical steps to ensure that important details aren’t overlooked amid the drama of the event. Take a look at seven things to do immediately after a car accident that can make all the difference.

1. Stay Focused

Taking just a second to assess your immediate surroundings in the immediate aftermath of a car accident is so important. If you’re driving with children, pets, or an elderly family member, it’s important to not allow the intensity of the situation to cause you to walk away to speak with the other driver without first securing other passengers. You never want to leave humans or pets in a hot, locked car while you investigate the situation.

2. Assess Your Immediate Danger

It’s also so important to assess the danger level of the position of your car after the accident. Consider driving your car to the side of the road instead of staying in the direct path of traffic if the car is drivable. Use hazard lights, flares, or reflective triangles to signal to other drivers that there is an emergency situation. Of course, you should follow all “best practices” for leaving a vehicle where it is in the case of a severe crash that has left people seriously injured.

3. Call for Law Enforcement

Utilize emergency services! You can use your state-specific emergency number to call for police, fire, or ambulance support. In some states, 911 is the blanket number for all emergency needs. Be sure to ask for medical support if there are any signs of injury among any drivers or passengers involved.

4. Assess Yourself for Injuries

The shock and adrenaline of the situation may leave you unaware of the fact that you have been injured. Not all injuries are visible following an accident. Allow yourself to “feel” around your body for any signs of pain, stiffness, numbness, or loss of mobility. One of the most common injuries following an auto accident is whiplash. While it can take seconds to weeks before whiplash symptoms appear, most people will actually experience them in the first few moments following a crash.

Here are the signs of whiplash to know about:

• Neck pain.
• Neck stiffness.
• Shoulder pain.
• Back pain.
• Dizziness.
• Numbness in the hands or arms.
• Blurry vision.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Difficulty focusing/concentration.
• Memory difficulties.

While whiplash injuries involve the nerves, tendons, discs, and muscles in your neck, the symptoms of whiplash can show up throughout your upper body. This is actually one of the reasons why some people don’t detect that they have whiplash right away. Whiplash is caused by the sharp “whipping” motion that happens when the neck is forcibly bent forward and backward during a collision. Of course, this is just one of many potential musculoskeletal injuries that can occur anywhere in the body following an accident.

5. Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Be sure to exchange information that includes your name and contact information, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license and license plate number, and car make and model with the other driver if you are physically capable. You should also consider documenting the details of the accident by taking photos and jotting down details if you are physically capable. Do avoid having any roadside discussions with the other driver at this point regarding responsibility. The truth is that anything that you say “in the moment” can be used against you to find fault. What’s more, the focus at this point should be on getting everyone to a safe position instead of arguing over the details of the accident.

6. Let Your Insurance Company Know

Your insurance company wants a heads-up before a claim is filed. In some cases, not altering your insurance company can leave you liable for damages. Look over your policy to get the details on your responsibilities and obligations for reporting an accident.

7. Give Yourself the Best Possible Chance for a Full Recovery From Injuries

What happens if it turns out you’re dealing with a painful musculoskeletal injury that is making it hard to live your life without pain and agony? Don’t simply “shrug off” pain following an accident. Studies show that people who have suffered from whiplash injuries can still experience suffering 20 years later. Many people assume that there’s nothing that can be done if they didn’t get medical care at the time of an accident due to the fact that they weren’t experiencing symptoms. This simply isn’t the case. When you work with a medical doctor capable of assessing whiplash and other musculoskeletal injuries, there’s hope for having your injury recognized by insurance companies. This is precisely what we do here at Guardian Medical. Our team of medical doctors works with your care providers to ensure that your injuries are being properly diagnosed, documented, and treated.

Guardian Medical doctors will arrive at your appointments to bring the oversight and backing of trusted, highly trained doctors to your case. As part of our mission to provide high-quality, effective, and comprehensive care for all Guardian Medical patients, we offer same-day and next-day appointments for those with urgent needs at our clinic locations. Call Guardian Medical today at 303-222-0363.