Car Accident Preparation: Your Best Defense
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 330
When you've been in a bad car accident, there's plenty to handle that seems so overwhelming. Before talking to insurance companies or engaging legal counsel, there are a few things to consider for your own personal wellbeing and for your family.
Accident Preparation:
Anyone can have a car accident at any time. Prepare for this possibility by carrying a disposable camera in your glove box along with additional proof of medical and car insurance, any documentation of health issues, a list of emergency contacts, and a notepad and pen to document the particulars of the accident, including the insurance information of other parties involved in the accident and license plate numbers.
Medical Attention:
Whether or not you went to the emergency room, a full spectrum of physical assessments should be considered: do you need a CAT scan or MRI? Do you need X-rays? Before you do anything else, see your primary care physician to determine the breadth and depth of your injuries. Ensure that any change in your physical health caused by the accident are properly documented, and ask for copies from your health chart as you may need them for your attorney or insurance providers.
Mental Health:
Was the accident sufficiently severe to cause mental health issues? Did you lose a loved one? Was a child lost, or someone close to you injured seriously? Did you yourself sustain injury that will irreversibly change your daily life? If so, you will want to engage the services of a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist.
Physical Therapy:
If recommended by your health care professional or emergency room staff, physical therapy should begin as soon as soon as directed. Regardless of what may be going on legally or with insurance companies, make sure that you tend to the needs of your body by staying on schedule with prescribed physical therapy.
The Police Report:
Typically, a police report documenting the details of the car accident will be available within five to seven days of the occurrence. The report is retrievable from the police department within the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. Before agreeing to anything from yours or any other insurance company, get a copy of the police report. If you are physically unable to do this, a family member or friend can obtain the report for a nominal fee (usually five to seven dollars).
Your Final Will and Testament:
In the event of the worst case scenario, you want to make sure that all of your affairs are in order. Regardless of your age, if you operate a motor vehicle, having a final will and testament will behoove your family and ensure that your final wishes are met. No one wants to consider this possibility, but endeavor to consider how well served your family will be in your absence should such a catastrophe occur. A final will and testament could be what makes it possible for your loved ones to carry on more comfortably in the event of a tragedy.
This list of considerations will save a great deal of time for you and your family both before and after an accident and if you decide to engage legal counsel. Remember, before making any statements to any insurance companies in the event of a serious accident, enlist the assistance of a lawyer you can trust.