Automobile accidents are fast and traumatic. Without preparation or the knowledge of what to do, it can be easy to give in to panic and make poor decisions. Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with an automobile accident, but they are very common in the United States. More than 2 million Americans are injured in automobile accidents every year.
Check out these four steps of what to do after an accident if you have been in an automobile accident or are looking for information to be prepared.
What to do after an accident
- Check yourself — Accidents are intense and quick, so your pace and thoughts may be racing. Try and stay calm and check yourself for any signs of pain or injury. Check if you are losing blood or have any spine, neck, or head injuries. If you are losing blood or have severe pain, numbness, and loss of motion in your spine or neck, you should contact emergency medical services.
- Check your passengers — If you’re confident that you don’t need emergency medical services, check the other people involved in the accident. If they show any signs of severe injury, you’ll need to contact emergency services for them.
Even if everyone is OK, you’ll still need to at least notify the police so they can manage traffic and collect statements from those involved in the accident. - Get information — Replacing a vehicle is a tough task, but, fortunately, insurance helps cover it. Make sure you exchange contact information and insurance information. Take photos of the scene if you can.
Under no circumstances should you blame yourself or accept responsibility for the accident. Collect information, deliver the facts, and let the insurance companies figure out how to handle the incident. - Visit a health care professional — You might feel fine after an automobile accident, but you still need to schedule an appointment for an examination. Many symptoms of common automobile accident injuries take a few days to build up. By the time the symptoms have grown worse, your injury may be more painful and debilitating and more difficult to treat. Play it safe and get a checkup from your doctor just to be sure you’re OK and don’t need any treatment.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute to treat your automobile accident injury
Our team at the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute can examine you after an automobile accident to identify the signs of an injury. If you need help, we specialize in a variety of services to help you recover. Contact our team today to learn more about treating automobile accident injuries or to schedule an initial appointment.
