Back in 2016, there were more than 500 accidents in Knoxville. Improper lane changes, driving on the wrong side of the road, and running lights are the most causes of accidents globally.
But, car accidents, in general, are caused by carelessness. In some countries, car accidents are mainly attributed to bad luck, which might be true, but a series of events contribute to the cause of accidents.
Drivers make mistakes either due to the inability to comprehend an unforeseen event or a lack of attention while driving. Sometimes, even when the driver is not at fault, factors like mechanical failure or unexpected weather cause a car accident. Among other factors, inadequate or inexperienced driving is also one of the common car accident causes.
Regardless of the risks ahead, it is the responsibility of the driver to stay focused, react within time, and avoid accidents. It is critical to pay attention while driving because even if you are a skilled driver, you should be aware of the risk and be cautious. As a driver, you must keep track of the car’s speed and the distance from other vehicles to ensure safety.
When one party doesn’t follow the rules of driving or drives irresponsibly, accidents occur, causing emotional turmoil for those involved. The ones injured are not only left to deal with physical injuries but have to face a long list of medical bills and other expenses. You’ll face a citation if you’re in an accident while texting in Knoxville. Similarly, rear-ending someone in Knoxville will also land you in trouble if the driver in front files a lawsuit.
If you had an accident and need legal help, type in attorney Knoxville on Google to pursue claims, cover expenses, and relieve financial stress. A car accident shakes you up mentally, making you incapable of thinking straight; however, what you do afterward makes a huge difference.
Educating yourself ahead of time is critical, so remember a few pointers.
1. Ensure safety first
The first thing you should do is activate the hazard lights to ensure the safety of other drivers as they approach the accident site. You do not want to cause or become a part of another accident. Ensuring other drivers are out of harm’s way, assess vehicle damage.
If the accident was minor, move your car to the side of the road to avoid inconvenience for the incoming traffic. Besides hazard lights, if you have a backup of car accessories like flares, light them up or set the reflective emergency triangles around the area to draw attention to the accident site.
However, if the accident is severe, leave the car and find a safe place to rest till someone arrives at your rescue. If the accident occurs on a busy street or a highway, be extra cautious when getting out of the vehicle. You don’t want to add to your injury by getting into another accident.
2. Call the Police
After doing the necessary to ensure your safety, the next thing to do without wasting any crucial time is to call the police. The arrival of the police at the accident scene will calm your nerves and provide basic medical to those injured. Besides providing care, the police make way for the ambulance and help emergency services move injured individuals safely to the ambulance.
The police will block off the crash area to conduct their investigation and thoroughly note every detail that adds to the accident, which is useful later. Securing the scene of an accident ensures a safe environment for the witnesses to provide relevant information that helps the police officers in their investigation.
The police can gather enough information to determine the cause of the accident, and extent of damage and prepare a report which can be used later in the court to help with the case.`
3. Seek medical attention immediately
If you sustain serious injuries, you will be immediately transported to the nearest hospital. However, what is important to keep in mind is that even if your injuries are minor, you shouldn’t avoid them. To avoid any serious consequences, visit a general physician to check yourself. You can check the pain center Washington dc if you are looking for solutions for your pain from injuries due to accidents in DC.
A head injury or a spinal injury might not be apparent due to shock or adrenaline, only to cause severe pain later that requires immediate treatment. It is always safe to visit a hospital instead of waiting for the after-effects of accidents to become known in the days following.
Besides treating injuries, seeing a doctor helps solidify your legal claim. For instance, if the accident was the other party’s fault, timely care for your injuries is a vital asset during the time of negotiation with the insurance company of those responsible. Medical reports come in handy when justifying the cause of injury.
4. Contact your insurance company
Although negotiating a cash deal is easy than making an insurance claim, it will leave you liable for damages resulting from the accident. Contacting your insurance company means you won’t have to pay for repairs out of your pocket.
For instance, if the party at fault is reluctant to accept responsibility for the damages caused by the accident, your insurance company will cover the vehicle repair cost under the collision coverage.
Besides car repair or replacement, you also have to deal with medical expenses, which are likely to empty your bank account. However, with an insurance policy, your medical expenses are paid regardless of who was responsible for your injuries.
One of the most important reasons to call your insurance company is because they will defend you in circumstances if the other party claims you. Even if it isn’t your fault, your insurance company will defend you against the claims free of charge.
5. Document the scene of the accident
After a car accident, it is important to document the accident scene because you do not want to lose valuable information when pursuing a claim.
Digital technology has made it easier to gather as much information as possible; with features like camera, video recording, and voice memos, you won’t lose time documenting the accident’s aftermath.
Some details you shouldn’t forget to record include the date and time of the accident, capturing photos of the property damages, and the injuries you sustained.
Documenting your injuries also helps during medical care, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment.
Having proof of the incident ensures that the insurance companies will fight for a fair settlement. Be sure to take pictures and make videos from every angle to avoid missing details.
Conclusion
Car accidents can occur for multiple reasons, from overspeeding to lack of focus during driving. Regardless of the reasons, car accidents often result in unprecedented damages that are difficult to cope with. Sometimes the extent of damage reaches the point of either of the involved parties losing their significant other.
Often, people are unaware of what to do after the accident due to shock or adrenaline, which leaves them struggling with multiple issues. Learning what you must do after an accident is crucial to saving time and lives.
