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Being involved in any sort of car accident can be scary and worrying to say the least. It does not matter how severe the accident was, it can leave you feeling shaken and unable to think straight. When things like this happen, you need to keep your wits about you to make the right decisions. If you don’t, your health could be at risk. So, while it’s important to not swim in negative thoughts all of the time, it would be prudent to make sure any injuries aren’t going to have long term effects.
Check out some of the areas where people tend to go wrong when it comes to car accidents, to hopefully help you avoid making the same errors should you find yourself in this position.
Not calling 9-1-1 right away
After your car has stopped and you’ve done a self assessment, call 9-1-1 right away! I know that sounds ridiculous to say. But sometimes when people are in an accident or something traumatic happens, every one thinks someone else has called for emergency services when no one has!! So call right away!
Brushing off aches & pains instead of going to the doctor
This is the biggest mistake that people tend to make when it comes to car accidents. If you come away from a car crash with only a few aches and pains, you are right to consider yourself lucky. However, you do need to be cautious. This is because some injuries do not have a tendency to reveal the true extent of themselves for another few hours or even a few days. Whiplash, which is the most common injury sustained in a road traffic accident, is a prime example of this. Even if you feel that the pains and aches are minor, it is best to book an appointment with a doctor so that he or she can make a professional diagnosis.
Saying too much
Another mistake that a lot of people make when they have been in a road traffic accident is saying too much. When emotions are running high, there are some people who seem to talk, talk, and talk some more. However, a motor mouth is not going to help you in this situation. In fact, you could find yourself saying something that ends up getting you in trouble even if the accident in question was not your fault. Therefore, it is critical that you are very cautious about what you say after you have been in an accident.
Ignoring the emotional & mental injuries that people can sustain
Aside from the errors that we have discussed so far, another mistake people tend to make is ignoring the injuries that you cannot see when it comes to being involved in a road traffic accident. Just because you have only come out with minor physical injuries does not mean that your minor or emotional scars should be ignored. A lot of people struggle considerably after an accident.
I was T-boned by a woman driving way too fast out of a parking lot. She totalled my car and hit so hard it spun. I can remember thinking, “Isn’t she going to stop?” The answer was a big “NO” and a BOOM! That was over 15+ years ago and I still get a little nervous if I see cars barreling through parking lots toward exits.
After an accident you can feel incredibly anxious and worried all of the time. Or may feel petrified about getting in a car again. This can manifest itself in other ways as well. You may develop a fear of other activities you usually do throughout the day. After all, if someone as harmless as a car ride that you take every day turned out to be dangerous, you may feel like everything is! If you feel this way, consider booking an appointment with a therapist so that you can talk it through with someone who can help you.
Not exploring the option of compensation
If you have been involved in a car accident and you are not to blame for what has happened, there is every chance that you may be entitled to compensation. You will need to look for a team of dedicated car accident lawyers who will be able to assist you with this and help you to launch a claim. You may be able to secure funds to cover all of your medical expenses and any other costs associated with the injury, for example, a loss of income or getting your vehicle repaired after the crash. After my accident, I dug around and found out the girl was driving with a suspended driver’s license, had a DIU, and was using a friend’s car that didn’t have liability. At the court hearing, I made my case regarding the $500 deductible my insurance required me to cover since they had to foot the bill with this person and was able to recover that amount. That wasn’t much money but meant a bunch to me at the time. If there were issues with insurance that were going to be much more, professional legal help would have been on my speed dial!
These are just some of the errors that people have a tendency to make when it comes to car accidents. If you have been involved in a car crash, thinking clearly can be very difficult, but it can certainly make a big difference if you avoid the errors that we have mentioned above. It can help to make sure that you get the treatment you require, as well as ensuring you have the best chance of getting compensation if the incident in question was not your fault.
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If you are feeling down or depressed for more days than not, please seek medical attention. If you are feeling like you cannot go on, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or chat here>>> https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ Or visit the suicide prevention lifeline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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