Vehicle deaths in the U.S. topped 40,000 in 2017, USA Today reports. That doesn’t include the number of people who sustained injuries from vehicle crashes. With that many accidents on the road, getting behind the wheel comes with a bit of risk.
If you drive a car often, then you may find yourself involved in one. Read on to know what steps to take to deal with the situation.
Get medical help
If you’ve got injuries, then you’ll be brought to the hospital and receive treatment. But not all car accidents or fender benders require paramedics or the police. In these cases, you may ask yourself if getting to the hospital is worth taking the time and trouble for. In a word? Yes.
Watch out for delayed signs
There’s no guarantee that you weren’t hurt. Even if you don’t feel any pain, you could be suffering from internal injuries and not know it. In some cases, the pain and discomfort can take a few hours before they show. When that happens, you’ll be glad to have made your way to a healthcare facility and request for a thorough medical check-up.
Get proper documentation
By going to a healthcare facility, you get proper documentation for your auto accident injury. That’s a must if you plan on filing a claim. Without proper documentation, it could take your lawyer longer to find evidence or proof of the other party’s liability.
Don’t miss that window
In many states, there’s a limit to the time you can report injuries or file a claim. If you miss that window because gave the health care facility a miss and you didn’t think you had an auto accident injury, then you’ll end up paying for the medical bills out of your pocket. If you don’t want that to happen, then get checked out. For more efficiency, look for personal injury doctors since they’ll be much more familiar with your case.