Hopefully there will never be an instance when you or someone you love is seriously injured in a car accident. However, according to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 20 to 50 million people are injured or disabled by car accidents every year. It is important to be prepared for the worst in the event of this type of emergency, no matter how unlikely it may seem. Here are some valuable steps to take for the best result after the accident.
Call 911
It is normal for common sense to fly out the window during an emergency. Once your adrenaline starts to pump, it can be difficult to think clearly. Luckily, this first step is easy to remember. The first thing you should do if a serious accident occurs is to call 911. Try to stay calm while you explain to the operator where you are and what the situation is. Once you’ve done so, you can feel confident that professionals will be on the scene shortly to help you and the injured parties. This may seem rudimentary, but plenty of people rarely encounter emergency situations on a regular basis. Being a clear communicator to the 911 call-taker could make the difference between life and death.
Medical Attention Beyond 911
If the accident is not immediately life-threatening, it may be best not to call 911. If you have the time, you can take the injured parties to seek emergency room services. Level III emergency rooms may provide 24-hour care, with professionals working around the clock to shorten wait times for patients. This kind of care will allow the injured to be seen by a medical professional in a timely manner, at a facility where there are CT and MRI scanners, as well as the possibility for minor surgery to occur if need be.
If more in-depth surgery is necessary, you may need to seek the aid of a specialist. Most doctors will lean toward non-innovative methods of treatment first, but there are some cases in which that simply won’t help the patient. One example is with spinal injuries. If an emergency room cannot provide spinal treatment for the injured party, you should consider seeking innovative spine surgery. This type of specialized facility can provide both non-innovative and operative services after evaluating the patient’s needs.
Rehabilitation
Following medical attention and possible surgery, the patient may need to be admitted into a rehabilitation program before he or she can return to an independent life. A subacute rehabilitation program can provide wound care management, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, and more to help the patient regain the ability to return to his or her home. After time spent in recovery, the patient will be able to have a smoother transition back into normal life.
Legal Action
The final, and possibly the most difficult step, is to decide whether or not to take legal action. It may not always be easy to heal from the accident and move on with your normal life. If the accident is serious enough to warrant financial reparations from the responsible party, you will need an advocate. You should consider a specialist in this regard, especially since insurance companies have been known to deny a claim altogether. A professional like an accident attorney in Bath, PA will have your interests as the highest priority. Their litigation will ensure you receive proper compensation for the accident. This financial aid can assist in the payment of any medical bills you accrue during your recovery, or if you’ve lost wages due to the incident.
After an accident, you should make sure you get the help you need to recover, both physically and mentally. These steps will help you protect yourself and your loved ones from what could be the terrible aftermath of an accident. This way, it will be possible for you to get back on the road to normal as soon as you can.
