Road accidents occur daily, adding to the statistics of people with disabilities, life-threatening injuries, and deaths. You could get involved in a road accident and be lucky to escape without a scratch or any form of injury.
When you get involved in a road traffic accident in South Carolina, and you are dazed from the impact of the crash then you will need to take your mind back to the moment you read this article and the points highlighted below because it could be a lifesaver for you.
1. Seek medical help
Wondering what to do after a truck accident in Orangeburg, South Carolina? Call 911. We know that being involved in an accident usually leaves you disoriented and dazed. That’s why you need to get fresh air, so you don’t go into shock. When you have the mind to grasp that you were involved in a crash, open the car window to let in the fresh air, then access the injury sustained on your body before you call 911.
When you call 911, state the reason for your call, you will be asked for details of the accident, give them details about the injuries you have sustained, the cars involved, and request they send an ambulance service and police cruiser to the scene.
Note that if the EMT insists you need to take an ambulance ride to a nearby hospital, you have to go to find out the extent of your injury.
2. Call the police
When the emergency services are on the scene and there are no police on the scene, call 911 to request that police be present at the scene to investigate the accident. Police must be present at the scene of the accident and make sure you give them your statement, when you do, state facts about the accident, not make assumptions.
Whatever you say during the interview will be included in an incident report, which you will add to your compensation claim report. So, no assumptions on how the accident happened because it turns out to be false, it could affect your compensation payment with insurers.
3. Document the accident scene
In a situation where you can function and move around after the accident, use your smartphone to take pictures of your injuries, your damaged car, the other cars involved in the crash, glass shards, the entire scene of the accident, and details you think might be relevant to the accident.
Make sure you engage eyewitnesses that are at the scene and saw when the accident occurred and get their contact information as they may have valuable insights that would make you understand the accident better or who was at fault. Eyewitnesses disappear from the scene when they see the cops, get to them before they do.
Also, get names and contact information of on-scene police officers for follow up and update on how to get a copy of the accident report
4. Exchange contact information
This is a must-do, even if there is police on the scene, you need to have personal documentation and that includes exchanging contact information with the other party involved in the accident.
The information that drivers should exchange after an accident includes full name and contact information, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license and license plate number, type, and model of vehicle.
This information will come in handy when you need to file a compensation claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company for payout to cover medical bills and other expenses incurred after the accident.
5. Notify your insurer
Some insurance companies have a policy that states that they need to be aware of an accident within twenty-four hours of its work occurrence, so call your insurer immediately. Do not let the statute of limitations affect you as some policies require immediate reporting and full cooperation.
When you call your insurer, find out if you have medical benefits as part of your insurance coverage, so you know how to settle your medical bills or whether to call a personal injury lawyer if your policy coverage states that you are covered for accident medical bills.
6. Hire a personal injury attorney
The most important thing you can for yourself after an accident could be to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the process of claiming compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, missed wages, or disability settlement.
Surviving a road accident can be devastating, but you have to make sure that you put at least two or three out of the aforementioned points into practice as it may be beneficial to you in the long run, especially when filing for compensation.
Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)
Site Disclaimer
The Content in this post and on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by HII or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.
Nothing in this post or on this site constitutes professional and/or financial advice. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this post or on this site.
You recognize that when making investments, an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
Related Categories: Cars & Vehicles, Reviews, Safety
