Automobile accidents are too common of an occurrence in the United States. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to be involved in one, it’s essential to be ready for what you need to do.
Here are the first five things you need to do immediately after an automobile accident:
1. Check yourself and your passengers
The first thing you need to do after you’ve been in an accident is to check yourself for injuries. If you are in severe pain or cannot move a limb, you may want to remain in place until help arrives. If you’re okay, you need to check on your passengers next to see if any of them need emergency medical assistance.
You should also check on the people in other vehicles involved. Other drivers and passengers may not be in a condition to contact authorities on their own and may depend on quick action from you to get help.
2. Move the vehicles to a safe location
If you and the other drivers are okay, you should move your vehicles to a safe place. Sitting in the middle of the road is a hazard to your safety. If you cannot move the vehicles, you should leave them and move everyone to a location off the road while you wait for help.
3. Call the authorities
Depending on which state you’re in, you may be legally required to contact the police if there’s been an accident. If you’re not in a state where this is legally required, it’s still a good idea. The police can come to document the scene and take statements for an accident report. They can also help direct traffic around you if the accident is in the middle of the road.
4. Exchange information
You’re going to need to make an accident claim with your insurance provider at some point. To do this, you’ll need to get information from the other driver, and they will need information from you.
After an accident, drivers need to exchange:
- Their names
- How to contact each other
- Insurance provider and policy number
- Vehicle information
- Driver’s license information
- License plate numbers
- Accident location
5. Visit a medical professional
Even if you don’t feel any pain or notice any symptoms, you should visit a medical professional for an examination after an accident. Some injuries take a day or two for symptoms and pain to set in, and by this point, it may be more difficult to treat the injury.
Visit iRISE Spine and Joint in Fort Myers, FL, to treat an auto accident injury
If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident in or near Fort Myers, Florida, our team can help. Our orthopedic doctors can examine your condition and determine if you need medical treatment.
We specialize in many treatments, both surgical and noninvasive, to help people recover from automobile accident injuries. Contact us today to speak with one of our dedicated patient care coordinators and learn more or to schedule an appointment.
