Despite the advances in automotive technology, millions of vehicles get into annual accidents. For instance, over five million were involved in non-fatal collisions in 2020. Some were minor to moderate while others resulted in completely wrecked vehicles. If your car is in the latter category, here’s what to do.
Go to the Hospital
Many victims feel fine after an accident. Nevertheless, there are underlying issues that cause difficulties later on. No matter how you feel, it’s the reason you should go to the hospital immediately after an accident.
Most of the time this is a precautionary measure. However, there are situations where physicians discover internal bleeding or brain swelling. Both require immediate action, including surgery. In other words, a hospital visit after an accident can save your life.
Sometimes, accident injuries don’t manifest until days later. For instance, increased neck or back pain. Visit your physician or emergency room in this situation instead of believing it will go away.
Keep all medical bills, medicine receipts, and therapy invoices related to accident injuries. Also, include materials showing what auto and health insurance agencies pay toward the treatments. These are needed as evidence when you seek out a Houston personal injury law firm. The more evidence they have, the better your chances of a significant settlement to pay the remaining balances.
Obtain an Accident Report
Normally, you won’t receive an accident report at the time of the collision. Instead, it takes several days for law enforcement officials to compile and file the information. Today, many departments allow you to digitally obtain reports. However, you can also visit the police station for a copy.
Unfortunately, some towns and cities charge to release a copy of the accident report. Don’t avoid paying if this is the case. The report is essential for your insurance underwriter to determine who was at fault. Speak to your insurer for assistance if you can’t afford the paperwork. They can work with your area’s law enforcement to get a copy.
File an Insurance Claim
You must file an insurance claim regardless of who’s at fault in an accident. Even if the collision is contested, filing assigns a claims adjuster to collect and review evidence. Plus, it activates your coverages.
File a claim no later than 24 hours after an accident. If you aren’t injured and feel calm, report the accident within hours after the collision. Ask someone else to file a report to your insurance agency if you end up hospitalized.
The filing is also the time to verify your coverage limits. By doing so, you gain a better understanding of what you have to help while your car is repaired. For instance, check on rental car coverage and how long it’s available.
On top of this, verify if you have gap coverage. If your financed vehicle is totaled, gap insurance helps pay off the remainder of the payments. Further, it may help you purchase a new vehicle.
Try to Stay Calm
An accident is a shocking experience. Its suddenness triggers increases in your heart rate and adrenaline. So, even if you aren’t injured, the accident’s aftereffects can linger for days and weeks.
Try to stay calm through the claims process. It might take weeks to resolve itself. During that time you need to establish self-care routines for yourself and any passengers in the accident with you. Seek out therapeutic methods to maintain peace no matter what happens.
Seek Legal Help
Unfortunately, at-fault issues can’t be resolved by insurance companies. Firms may decide you’re at fault from witness testimony. Other situations might be declared no-fault, which means repair and replacement responsibilities fall on the respective party’s insurers.
Seek legal help if you feel the decision is unjustified. In addition to a personal injury firm, find accident attorneys with subject matter expertise in the field. Present your collected evidence so lawyers can move forward to get you a proper settlement.
In conclusion, don’t feel overwhelmed by the steps needed when your car is wrecked in an accident. The most important task is to make sure you and your passengers are okay. You can execute the other items once that issue is resolved.
