It’s one of the last things anyone wants to think about, but what should you do when you have a motor vehicle accident?
There are lots of things you need to be aware of after you’ve been involved in a crash, so make sure you know your obligations and rights. Here are 4 things you should be aware of after a motor accident.
Your Health
The first thing you need to think about is your own health. Accidents can be very traumatic, putting a lot of pressure through your body, but also harming your mental health.
One of the things to pay special attention to is the fact that not all injuries manifest in symptoms. You might feel perfectly fine, but you can still be suffering from a serious head injury, so it’s important you get yourself checked out by a professional.
Likewise, a major car crash can be difficult to come to terms with mentally, and if you’re suffering, the best thing to do is seek professional help.
The Safety of Everyone at the Scene
Once you feel certain you’re not seriously hurt then you should check to make sure everyone else involved is ok. Only do this if it is safe to do so though, so make sure you’re not putting yourself in excessive danger.
If there are people who have been injured, then you should quickly call the emergency services who can come and secure the scene.
The most important thing in any accident is that you and anyone else who was involved in the accident doesn’t get seriously hurt. Once you’ve confirmed this is the case, then you can move on to the next steps.
Your Obligations
If someone is injured then you should certainly call the emergency services, but even if nobody is hurt, it is still a good idea to call the police. They can help you secure the scene, and many insurance companies will want a police report in order to make a claim.
Likewise, insurance companies require immediate reporting and full transparency on any accident you have, so make sure to inform them once it’s safe to do so.
Take any steps you can to protect yourself and secure the scene such as putting on a high vis jacket or putting out cones if you carry them in your car. Stand a safe distance away from the road and wait for the police to arrive.
Your Rights
The law is there to protect you in delicate situations such as a motor vehicle accident.
If it wasn’t your fault, then you shouldn’t have to face financial penalties for things like medical bills and getting your car back on the road. However, the law isn’t always straight forward, and it pays to have a good lawyer such as R&A Maryland accident law firm on your side.
When you work with a lawyer, you know your interests are protected, so it’s always a good idea to speak to an attorney for advice after an accident.
