Getting in a car accident takes a huge toll on your mental health. Besides taking care and being cautious while you drive, you have to be mentally prepared with what you should do if things go wrong. We are all familiar with the saying “it is better to be safe than sorry” and how we should follow it regularly but sometimes being safe is not enough. If you happen to know what steps you should follow after realizing that you were a part of a catastrophe, things will go smoothly from there and you will be able to claim and preserve your legal rights. So without further ado, let us get started with how you can be well prepared.
Make Sure Everyone Is Fine
The first thing you have to think about is if all passengers are okay; especially if there are children on board. Check yourself and everyone else for injuries and comfort the children. Being surrounded by panicking adults or children can be overwhelming and will not enable you to think straight. It can also be useful if you teach your family beforehand how to act in cases of emergency; that way they can be as prepared as you are.
Take Clear Pictures
Your second step should be documenting the scene where the accident took place. Having an ample amount of clear pictures will make your legal situation more sound. Describing the situation to the police or even to your lawyer will not be enough. Good pictures can also prove that you were not in the wrong and help you get higher compensation.
Call Your Lawyer
No matter how informed you are, you still need to be accompanied by someone who understands the law and knows what the repercussions of every step are. It’s important to note that the laws differ from one city or state to another. So if, for instance, you get involved in an accident in San Antonio, then it’s important to familiarize yourself with the laws relevant there. Collaborate with a trustworthy car accident lawyer in San Antonio to get the compensation you deserve and be sure you are on the right path. Being your own lawyer is not always a good idea, plus you will be overwhelmed by the paperwork and the many steps that you ought to be following. A lawyer will also help you decide upon the exact compensation amount you should be asking for. There are hidden costs that you might not be fully aware of, and a professional attorney is who you need to point at these costs for you and win your claim.
Contact the Police
Documenting the scene in a legal way is very important. Regardless of the condition or status of your injury, you have to make that call. As a part of teaching your family members how to act in an emergency, it is recommended that you ensure that everyone knows how to contact the authorities in the midst of a difficult situation. This will not only help in case an emergency takes place while you are present with your family members, but it will also make you feel more confident about letting them go anywhere if they are old enough.
Gather All Witnesses Information
It is going to be hard if you try to get information about the witnesses after everyone has already gone home. Gathering information on the spot is the only logical thing to do and will save you a lot of time and energy. Save all the information you gather on your mobile phone even in the form of voice notes that you can hear later and get the info you need. Witnesses increase your chance of winning, your lawyer will later contact them and convince them to collaborate and strengthen your position.
Get a Hospital’s Report
Some people tend to skip that step if the injury is not big enough for a ride to the hospital, but this is something that we recommend that you do. Besides the fact that a hospital’s report will be needed to claim your legal rights, going to the hospital will help you discover if you have an injury you haven’t noticed or something that might show up later after you have gone home. In many cases, accident victims have internal issues that they are not aware of and that might be quite dangerous. A full checkup in a hospital will let you know where you stand and what activities you should or shouldn’t do.
Go Home and Have Some Rest
We understand how mentally consuming it is to be subjected to an accident, that is why we advise you to get some rest and relax after this experience. Ensure that your mental and physical wellness is a priority and do not be over consumed with every single detail. Avoid retelling the story over and over again so that your brain can rest and forget about what happened. It might take you some time to get back on the road, and that is understandable. Take all the time you need before you decide to resume driving, this can be a good chance to run errands walking, or even carpool. Rest is also important for other family members whether they were with you in the car when the accident took place or they just knew about it over a phone call from you or the hospital. Accidents tend to have an impact on those who are part of them and their loved ones as well.
Misfortunes happen to all of us no matter how careful we are, you might find yourself a victim of an accident that you did not cause. Staying on top of things is necessary but you don’t have to do it all yourself. Hiring a professional well-experienced lawyer will take a lot off your shoulders and help you attend to other important matters like the safety of yourself and the rest of the family members. You will not be able to gather all necessary information and proceed to action while at the same time making sure no one is still suffering either physically or mentally. Remember that your first step to staying safe is following all the driving safety rules. Although on its own this is not enough, it is of high importance for your safety and the safety of all other drivers and pedestrians on the road.
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