What should you do after a car accident?

 Posted on September 02, 2014 in Car Accidents

Accident scenes are something that many motorists are all too familiar with. People all over Illinois have been rear-ended, clipped in traffic or struck by a reckless driver. Sadly, accidents are not uncommon; but each one can be frightening and chaotic for victims.

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, you can end up stopped on the side of the road with a damaged vehicle and potentially painful injuries. When and if this happens, it can be very upsetting and people may not be sure about what to do afterward. 

Of course there are things an accident victim should immediately following a crash. There are a number of accident guides online that remind motorists to:

• Exchange insurance and contact information with any and all drivers involved
• File a crash report if an accident is serious or causes at least $1,500 in damage
• Take photographs of the accident scene and damage
• Call for emergency help if someone is seriously injured

These are all excellent reminders; but for people who have already been involved in a crash, they may not be of much help. There are other considerations that victims should take after an accident that may not be as obvious and may be more appropriate to apply after a person has left an accident scene.

Some of these tips include:

• Seek medical help, even for minor injuries
• Document care appointments, medications and medical bills
• Keep track of work days missed as a result of the crash or injuries
• Speak with an attorney to explore legal options

These steps can ensure that an accident victim gets the legal, medical and financial support that he or she needs after a crash. Knowing what to do after a car accident can be difficult, especially if it a person's first accident. Asking for help can be the best way to get what you need to recover and move on from an upsetting event.