A car accident can cause serious physical and emotional harm and make it harder for you to go back to living a normal life. If you recently got involved in a collision, it may take some time for you to go back to work, school and your other regular activities.
Motor vehicle collisions are common and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2020, nearly 41,000 people in the U.S. died in car accidents. Taking the following steps can improve the recovery process while helping you protect your interests.
Seek medical attention
Even if you did not get seriously injured in the car accident or believe you sustained any injuries, you should still see a doctor after the crash. In some cases, car accident injuries will begin to manifest several days following the initial trauma.
Write down your personal account
As you move forward from the collision, the details of the accident may start to become less clear. As soon as you are able, write down what happened during the car accident from your perspective.
Accumulate documentation
Start putting together documentation that supports your perspective of the car accident. For example, obtain the names and numbers of any witnesses who saw the accident as well as copies of your medical records related to treating your injuries.
It can take time to recover from a car accident and feel like life has gone back to normal. Seeking medical attention and following your physician’s instructions, as well as gathering applicable documentation, can help you protect your right to fair and proper compensation.