After a Car Accident: Personal Injury Self-Care Guide

There’s nothing like a car accident to turn your world upside down in a matter of seconds.

You’re fine for one minute. The next you’re in pain, disoriented, speaking with insurance companies and bleeding money on medical bills.

…it happens.

What to Do After a Car Accident

The problem is most people don’t know what to do after a car accident.

The wrong moves during those first few hours and days can have major repercussions for both your health and your personal injury claim.

The right moves? They can protect you on every front. Let’s walk through your self-care checklist…

Immediately after an accident:

1. Take care of your body
2. Handle the accident scene properly
3. Document your personal injury properly
4. Care for your mental health
5. Contact a lawyer when you need one

What Happens to Your Body After a Car Accident?

Whenever you hear about car accidents, they’re either very serious or very minor.

The truth is that most crashes fall somewhere in the middle. But that doesn’t mean they’re not traumatic.

Your body absorbs a huge shock when two vehicles collide. Think about how much adrenaline you feel during and after a crash. That stuff isn’t a myth.

It’s actually your body pumping you up so that you can deal with the traumatic event. And it can easily mask pain associated with injury.

Whiplash and neck pain are one of the most common car accident injuries. Many people walk away feeling ok, but wake up the next day barely able to move their head.

Always follow up with a doctor after a car accident – even if you feel fine. Symptoms can come later.

What To Do When You First Arrive at the Accident Scene

Other common car accident injuries include:

• Back and spinal injuries
• Concussions
• Head trauma
• Soft tissue damage

Motor vehicle accidents are the cause of 5.1 million injuries that cause people to seek medical treatment every year.

These injuries may not present immediately. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical attention within 24–48 hours of a collision. Even if you think you’re ok.

With total costs reaching an estimated $513.8 billion, motor vehicle accidents result in a lot of injuries. Pay attention to what your body is telling you.

How to Handle the Accident Scene

Step 1: Check for injuries.

The first thing you should do is check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Call 911 if anyone was hurt in the accident.

Step 2: Move cars out of traffic if possible.

If your car is in the way of oncoming traffic, both drivers should pull over to the side of the road and turn on their hazard lights.

Step 3: Call the police.

You should always call the police and file a report. No ifs, ands, or buts. Police reports are one of the most valuable documents you’ll need for your car accident personal injury claim.

Step 4: Exchange information.

Get the other driver’s name, license plate number, insurance information and contact info. Get contact details for any witnesses as well, if possible.

Step 5: Get checked out by a doctor.

Even if you have no symptoms, get to a hospital or an urgent care facility ASAP. You’ll want documentation that you were checked out on that day. Medical records cannot be falsified retroactively.

If there were injuries and you were not at fault, it’s often wise to speak with a car accident lawyer Syracuse NY as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can help protect your rights while the details of the accident are fresh. The right guidance at the onset of a personal injury case can help you recover thousands.

How to Document Your Personal Injury the Right Way

One of the most important things you can do to protect your personal injury claim is to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

Insurance companies will go to extreme lengths to pay you out as little as possible.

Keeping a thorough record of the following will help:

Photos

Photos of the scene including both vehicles’ damage, surrounding areas, weather conditions, and visible injuries.

Medical Records

All medical appointments, bills, prescriptions, and diagnoses should be kept.

Personal Injury Journal

Injuries cause pain and suffering that affects your day-to-day life. Keep a journal detailing your symptoms and how the injury affects you.

Time Off of Work

If you missed any days of work due to the injury, keep records that show lost wages. Ask your employer to confirm this for you.

Related Expenses

Keep all receipts related to your injury. Transportation to and from doctors appointments, prescriptions, etc.

Tip: Start collecting this info on day one. The sooner you start building your case the better.

Care for Your Mental Health After a Crash

Did you know…

Car accidents can cause just as much mental damage as physical harm?

Anxiety, headaches, and flashbacks are just a few symptoms associated with car accident trauma. Depending on the circumstances, these could be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD after a car accident is real. And it can be treated.

Don’t neglect your mental health. If you think you’re suffering from mental trauma after an accident, take these self-care steps:

Talk to someone. Bottling up your emotions will not make them go away. Talk to a friend, family member or therapist about what you’re going through.

Don’t isolate yourself. Make a conscious effort to be around people you trust. The sooner you break out of your shell, the sooner you’ll recover emotionally.

Follow up with your doctor. If you start experiencing emotional trauma after an accident, mention it to your doctor. They can help and create a recorded history.

Be patient. Recovering from an accident can be a rollercoaster. Your pain may lessen one day and skyrocket the next.

Remember, mental health care following a car accident is also part of your injury claim. Don’t neglect it.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Don’t wait until the last minute to speak with a lawyer.

As a general rule, most people wait too long after a car accident to contact an attorney.

Here’s a stat for you…

Approximately 91% of personal injury clients who hire an experienced attorney receive a settlement payout. That number drops to 51% for those who do not.

If you decide to wait, consider this: personal injury law has time limits — called statutes of limitations. You may give up your right to file a claim at all if you wait too long.

Some signs it may be time to contact a lawyer:

• The injuries you suffered were serious, long-term or permanent
• The other driver is disputing fault
• You’re receiving pressure from an insurance company
• Medical bills have you stressed out
• A loved one was killed

The Bottom Line: After a Car Accident

Self-care after a car accident doesn’t just stop at using this time to rest and recover.

It means taking care of your body, your mind, and knowing when to seek legal guidance.

Facing a personal injury case can be overwhelming. Make sure you take care of yourself the entire way through.

Here’s your game plan once more:

• Seek medical attention ASAP
• Document, document, document
• Care for your mental health
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Each of these aspects can make a huge difference in your recovery, and personal injury claim. Follow these steps for the best chance at fair compensation and a full recovery.

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