Car accidents are financially, physically, and mentally devastating, potentially negatively impacting your life for years to come. If you want to recover as quickly and smoothly as possible, there are some important strategies you’ll need to follow.
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What to Do When Recovering From a Car Accident
These are steps you should definitely take following a car accident:
1. Do Get a Police Report
Do make sure you get a police report, preferably at the scene of the accident. Police reports serve as official documentation for the accident and can be valuable pieces of evidence if you need to take legal action. Just make sure all the details are correct before signing it.
2. Do Talk to A Lawyer as Soon as Possible
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A good auto accident lawyer can help you win compensation for your car accident. Insurance companies may offer you a reasonable settlement initially, but it’s worth talking to a lawyer before you accept that settlement.
They may have recommendations for further negotiations, or even pushing for a trial if those negotiations fail. In any case, a lawyer can help you better understand your legal situation and the options available to you.
3. Do Preserve as Much Evidence as Possible
Do your best to preserve as much evidence as possible. Take photographs and videos, collect witness statements, and try not to move your car until necessary. The more information you have, the better. Your lawyer can also help you gather and preserve evidence as necessary.
4. Do Get Medical Attention
It’s important to get medical attention after a car accident, as immediately as possible, even if you feel you don’t need it. Sometimes, the adrenaline of the car accident can mask feelings of pain that would otherwise notify you of your injuries. A qualified medical professional can more accurately evaluate your condition.
5. Do Follow All Your Doctor’s Instructions
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In the weeks and months following your accident, be sure to follow all medical advice you receive. That means attending all follow-up appointments, taking prescribed medications, and properly resting.
6. Do Stay Active
While rest is important for your recovery, it’s important to stay as active as possible while still conforming to your doctor’s orders. Stretch, go for walks, and stay mentally active with fun activities while you’re recovering.
7. Do Get Help from Others
In addition to being physically harmful, traffic accidents can pose mental and emotional challenges. Don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family members for support in this difficult time.
What Not to Do When Recovering From a Car Accident
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These are things you’ll need to avoid after your car accident:
8. Don’t Put Yourself at Risk
Immediately following the car accident, avoid putting yourself at further risk. Clear the area and get yourself to safety.
9. Don’t Discuss Fault
After the accident, you may be tempted to start discussing fault. Your gut instinct may be to apologize, even if the accident wasn’t your fault, but you should avoid doing this, as an apology may be interpreted as an admission of fault in some states.
Additionally, avoid excessively blaming the other party or discussing how the accident unfolded. It’s better to remain quiet at this juncture.
10. Don’t Agree to A Settlement without Representation
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In the days and weeks following your accident, you’ll likely receive a settlement from an insurance company. They may even pressure you to accept the settlement quickly.
However, it’s important to avoid accepting any settlement without legal representation. At the very least, you should have a lawyer review the settlement before you agree to it.
11. Don’t Withhold Information
Avoid withholding information from any party, including police officers and insurance companies, but especially your lawyer. You need to be open and transparent if you want this to work out in your favor.
12. Don’t Lie
Similarly, it’s important to tell the truth. Lying about the accident could land you in legal trouble beyond the initial accident. If you were at fault for the accident, or if there are unflattering details associated with the accident, you might be tempted to lie – but it’s almost always better to be open and honest, lest these details be discovered later.
13. Don’t Talk About the Accident Publicly
Also, avoid talking about the accident publicly, and especially on social media. Anything you say publicly could be gathered and used by opposing representation, ultimately weakening your case.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to continue driving safely, and you won’t have to worry about being involved in a car accident, let alone recovering from one.
However, if you ever find yourself in the position of dealing with the fallout from a devastating car accident, you should now have enough information to conduct yourself appropriately and recover much faster.
