Auto Pain: Five Questions You Must Answer After a Car Accident

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. After the impact, your world could be turned upside down–figuratively and literally. Once your head stops spinning and your mind is clear enough to think about what just took place, you must act quickly before the whole thing takes a turn for the worse. Ask yourself these five questions immediately following involvement in a vehicular collision.

1. Am I Hurt?

The first thing that you must determine after a crash is whether or not you’ve been injured. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in many parts of the world, so scan your body for any apparent wounds. If you can’t find any or don’t feel any excruciating pain, you should be okay for the moment, but sometimes car injuries don’t fully present until a little later. If you are badly hurt, do everything in your power to stay alive while calling for help. You may have to fend for yourself until help arrives.

2. Did I Hurt Someone Else?

If you’ve hit another vehicle, ensure that the other driver and all passengers are alright. The other driver may be fine, and if so, exchange personal details so that insurance companies can handle the technical stuff. If the other driver is injured, seek help immediately. You may be criminalized in a court of law if you are determined to be responsible for the injury or death of another individual.

3. Where Am I?

A car crash can cause you to become disoriented for a certain length of time. You may have been pushed off the route that you were previously taking. When you come to your senses, try to figure out where you are so that emergency services can reach you in a timely manner. If you don’t know the road names, describe the surrounding environmental features in detail so that help can pinpoint your location.

4. What Happened?

Again, disorientation is common after a car accident. You might even get knocked unconscious for some time. As soon as you can, try to understand the situation so that you can explain what happened to first responders. Taking notes and photos of the car damage, any injuries, and the immediate environment can prove to be invaluable to your existence, the survival of other victims involved, and reaching a favorable settlement in court.

5. Do I Have A Lawyer?

It’s very possible that the other party involved in the crash will sue you. If that’s the case, you’ll want to hire an attorney to help you sort things out. Contact Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP. if you are in Edmonton, or research a local auto accident lawyer for advice on how to proceed.

As the victim of a motor vehicle accident, a lot of things go through your mind. The shock of the whole situation can be numbing, especially to a first-time victim, but you must try to remain calm. Logical thinking is what saves many people from their impending doom and potential future legal struggles.