Vehicle collisions occur every day in cities and towns all over the country. Being in a wreck is always scary, even if nothing serious happens. Sadly, if you drive long enough, odds are you’ll eventually be involved in a car accident.

Hopefully, these accidents will only be minor fender benders, but there are times when vehicle accidents result in injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a vehicle collision, you might wonder what to do next and if you can get your medical bills covered.

For anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, it’s wise to know what to do if you’re in an accident. After the wreck, you may be injured, disoriented, or in shock, you may not be able to think clearly, and if you aren’t prepared ahead of time, it will be that much more difficult.

Instead, it’s helpful to understand the steps you should take before a collision ever happens, so you are prepared in case you are injured.

These steps can protect you from worsening your injuries, and they can also help you make choices that can strengthen your insurance case or if you end up with a personal injury lawsuit.

Here are the steps you should take after a car accident.

 

Step One: Determine if anyone is injured and call emergency services.

The first thing you need to do is check yourself, your passengers, and the other people involved in the accident for any injuries. Do so in that exact order.

Of course, you should only do this if you are physically able and not facing severe injuries. If you can, you should call 911 right away. This is important if anyone has been injured. The emergency dispatcher will likely ask for information such as where you are and what happened. They will send the police as well as an ambulance if needed.

Important note: If you are severely injured, you will likely have to rely on help from other people involved in the wreck or from passersby. But, if you are conscious and have some capacity to act, you should follow the steps in this guide.

 

Step Two: Don’t leave the scene.

As you wait for emergency services and the police to arrive, you shouldn’t leave the scene. Stay in your car if you can. If you are able, you might need to assist others who have been injured, but you shouldn’t leave the area.

 

Step Three: Be firm and careful with others involved in the wreck.

People in the other vehicle or anyone else involved in the collision might ask you not to call the police or 911, but it’s best not to listen to these requests for legal and safety reasons.

As you’re at the scene, you should also try to comfort anyone who is upset or injured. But, what you say can impact a potential lawsuit, so don’t express blame or guilt. Even if you think you’re at fault, it’s best to wait to explain the situation until the cops are there to complete a report.

 

Step Four: Accept medical treatment at the scene.

If you have an obvious injury, you may be willing to let EMTs take care of you right away. But, if you don’t think you’ve been injured, you might try to wave them off. It’s still best to accept medical treatment. There could be injuries such as internal bleeding that you can’t see or feel, especially if you’re in shock. It’s vital to talk to the emergency responders about your symptoms and take them seriously.

It’s also a good idea to get medical care the same day of the wreck if possible, even if your injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant an ambulance from the crash.  Sometimes injuries are not evident until days after the accident.  Even if you do not think you have any injuries, be mindful of your body and follow-up with a doctor the moment you have concerns about your health.

 

Step Five: Gather the evidence.

At some point in the process, you will need to give out your driver’s license and insurance information to the police, and most states also require you to give this information to the other person involved in the wreck. It’s best to get as much info from the other parties as possible.

The police will gather evidence and take reports, but the more information you have, the better. If you are stable and not seriously injured, it’s also wise to take notes that include information like what the other people look like, their behavior, and their injuries. Pay special attention to potential concerns such as alcohol containers.

The best evidence to have is photos and videos, so take as many of these on your phone as you can.

 

Step Six: Talk to insurance.

Your insurance company needs to know about the wreck regardless of who was at fault. This is usually required in your coverage and contract, and if you have compressive insurance, you could get help right away with your injuries or car problems.

Secondly, you should reach out to the other party’s insurance. The sooner the better, but you don’t have to do it immediately. If you’re in the hospital, it can wait.

 

Step Seven: Consider finding a lawyer.

If you feel like you’re not being treated fairly by insurance companies or the other parties involved, it might be the best option to get help from an attorney. They can negotiate for you and take a personal injury claim forward.

Before you hire a lawyer, do what you can to document your interactions with insurance and be careful of what you say.

 

Step Eight: Get help with pre-settlement funding.

If you go forward with a personal injury lawsuit, you might need help covering your bills, injuries, and ruined vehicle sooner rather than later. The litigation process can take a very long time, so pre-settlement funding is a way to get a loan for part of your desired settlement.

At Capital Now Funding, we offer pre-settlement funding (sometimes referred to as lawsuit loans) to help you cover the costs of your injuries and more. Call us or apply now to discover how a pre-settlement loan could be right for you.