More than Vehicle Damage, Personal Injury after a Wreck

09 Jun More than Vehicle Damage, Personal Injury after a Wreck

Sometimes, the most frightening part of a car wreck happens after the crash is over. You may, for instance, find yourself sitting in a wrecked vehicle and not knowing for sure if you’re hurt. When adrenaline kicks in, our perception of pain is vastly diminished. This means, for instance, that you may not know you’re bleeding until you actually see the blood or may not know that you’ve broken an ankle until you try to walk. Any vehicle accident attorney sees plenty of cases where the damage suffered from a wreck manifested a bit after the incident had passed.

If you’re in a car accident, personal injury is always a concern. Start by checking yourself for obvious signs of injury. Look around to see if you’re bleeding and check your face in the mirror to make sure that you’re not injured there. Car wrecks happen fast, and it’s quite possible to bounce your face off of your steering wheel or console without really remembering it. Make sure your vision is clear. If you have double vision or trouble focusing, you may have a concussion or other head injury. Look for signs of those injuries in any passengers, as well.

If someone has been thrown from a vehicle or knocked off of a motorcycle, do not move them. Sometimes, a vehicle accident attorney will end up with cases where it’s not clear if the injury was caused mostly by the accident or by good-intentioned, but unqualified, individuals attempting to help a victim after the fact. The best thing to do, if the road is obstructed, is to throw a couple of flares down or otherwise create a safe area and to let the paramedics decide how to move someone who’s hurt. Leave this to the pros.

Your vehicle accident lawyer should be called after emergency services and before your insurance company. The last thing you want to try to do is to explain the circumstances of your accident to your insurance company without guidance. Your insurance claim can help you pay for the necessary auto repair and engine repairs to restore your vehicle. Find a company like Whitley Automotive to ensure your car is properly inspected and repaired. While they can provide a valuable service, any insurance company will be more interested in not paying for the accident than they will be in paying any claims associated with it. Your attorney can give you the guidance you need to make sure that your interests are represented after the accident, whether its 30 days or 30 seconds after the actual crash.