Being involved in a car accident on any level is no small incident. A car accident of any kind can cause serious personal injuries, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally.

No auto accident should ever be taken lightly.

In the case of any accident, medical professionals and law enforcement should be consulted immediately. However, once these obvious steps have been taken, you should also take further action. See below for the steps you should follow in the case of a car accident.

Check Yourself For Injury

Immediately after an accident, your highest priority should be to access the health and well being of everyone involved, especially with yourself. If you’ve been injured, you should call 911 immediately or ask someone else to do so. If you feel as though you’ve been seriously injured, be careful and try not to make any sudden movements unless you are in further danger. Do your best to be still and wait for emergency personnel to arrive and help.

Check Others For Injuries

In the case that you are OK, you should carefully check on your passengers or the passengers of any other vehicles involved. If anyone is injured, get on the phone and call 911 for emergency responders immediately. In the case of a serious injury or bleeding, consult with emergency medical responders on the actions you should take.

Get To Safety

If you are able, move to the side of the road or to a sidewalk. If your car is safe to drive, do your best to pull it out of the way of traffic and to the side of the road. If it is not driveable in a safe manner, leave the vehicle where it is and wait for help.

Call 911

No matter the size or the damage of the accident, you should always lean towards the side of calling 911. In some states, you are legally required to notify the police. Responding officers can help you assess the safety and injuries of all involved and will also help you fill out an accident report and document the scene. If police can’t come to the scene, you should go to the nearest police station and report. Do not leave the scene of serious accident if you have been a passenger, driver, or witness until you have been cleared by an officer.

Exchange Information

If there are no serious injuries, do your best to exchange car insurance and personal information with the other driver. Under normal circumstances you should get:

• Full Names of all Drivers, Passengers, and Witnesses
• Contact Information of all Drivers, Passengers, and Witnesses
• Drivers License Number
• License Plate Numbers
• Type, Color, and Model of Vehicle
• Location of Accident
• Insurance Information of all Drivers, Passengers, and Witnesses

Document The Accident

If no one is seriously injured, you should also do your best to write a step by step account of the accident and take pictures of all the personal injuries and car damages involved. In some cases, you may also be careful not to full discuss the faults or causes of the accident with the other drivers. When officers arrive, you should also gather their information and get their help to talk with any witnesses involved. Getting written statements from witnesses could prove to be very helpful.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Once all injuries have been accounted for and the police have been notified, you should call your insurance company for help and roadside assistance if needed. The insurance company can also help you process your claim and help you walk through the steps needed in case of an accident.

Addressing the After-Accident Trauma

By definition, the word “trauma” can be defined as, “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, a physical injury.”

If you’ve been in any kind of a car accident, you should seek the care of a medical professional immediately for a safety examination. You should not take your health lightly and ensure that you have not had any serious injuries. Even if you do not show an external signs of injury, your internal organs, muscles, or bones may have been damaged due to the impact of the accident. A medical professional will help you assess your full well-being.

In some cases, the trauma or injuries sustained during a car crash can manifest slowly. You may also find that your body shows more signs of injury the day after an accident as opposed to the day of. Do your best to monitor your body and your behavior closely. You may also experience soreness, fatigue and other symptoms. In any case of change outside of normal health, consult with a medical professional and notify them of your signs and conditions.

Get Help From A Professional Immediately If You’ve Been Injured

It is not uncommon for someone who has been in a car accident to have sustained serious trauma in their head, neck, or spine areas. In the case of any car accident, you should notify your chiropractor immediately and seek their professional care on what actions you should take. By involving a back doctor, you can help protect your body from sustaining further injury. A back specialist will ask you questions and can help you assess the full extent of your head, neck, or back injuries.

To schedule an appointment or seek the help of Dr. Curtis, please call please call the office at (918) 836-6454.