An injurious car accident can change your life in the matter of a few seconds. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may struggle to go back to work and your normal daily life.
Car accident injuries are common, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year in the U.S., more than 2 million people sustain injuries in motor vehicle collisions. To protect your interests following a car crash, take the following steps.
Seek medical attention
As soon as you can following the car crash, seek medical care. Even if you do not need emergency medical care, you should still go and see a physician. Some car accident injuries are hard to detect, especially if you are in shock after the collision.
Gather witness information
If anyone saw the car accident happen, get their information. If possible, get the names and phone numbers from the witnesses who saw the car accident occur.
Write down your account
The details of the car accident and what happened may start to fade from your memory as you work on recovering. As soon as possible following the crash, write down the details of what happened from your perspective. Law enforcement officials and your attorney may use this information to support your case.
As you recover, take notes in a journal that outlines the progress you make as you heal from your injuries. You should also take not of how your injuries limit your ability to do normal daily tasks, such as caring for young children or going back to work.