A car accident, or more accurately a car crash, is not something you generally plan for.\u00a0 By intention, it is an event that you hope to avoid.\u00a0 Certainly, there are steps you can take to mitigate the stress that immediately follows a car crash.\u00a0 You make sure to have your insurance information readily available in your glove box, center console, or purse\/wallet.\u00a0 Regardless of where you keep your insurance card, make sure you know where it is to avoid the additional anxiety of searching for it right after the crash.\u00a0 You should also have a quick reference check list of steps to take.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n
CAR ACCIDENT CHECK LIST:<\/strong><\/p>\n In fact, you may want to print this page, cut the above \u201ccheck list card\u201d and staple it to the back of your insurance card.\u00a0 This way it will be readily available when you need it most.\u00a0 In previous blog posts we have looked at a much more comprehensive approach to information you should gather immediately after an accident.\u00a0 Please refer to those posts for that information.<\/p>\n After you leave the scene of the car crash what should you do next.\u00a0 The first thing you should do is contact your car insurance company (if you haven\u2019t already done so at the scene) and report the accident.\u00a0 Your insurance company will provide you with a PIP (personal injury protection) claim number that you can use to received medical treatment.\u00a0 If you have property damage coverage you can also open a claim for your property damage to get your car repaired.\u00a0 Under some circumstances it is easier and faster to have your own car insurance company cover your property damage and get reimbursed later by the at fault insurance company.<\/p>\n The next thing will be to start your medical care.\u00a0 It is critical that you don\u2019t delay getting medical attention for your injuries.\u00a0 It is important to seek proper medical care and to communicate ALL of your symptoms to that provider.\u00a0 If you decide to wait a few days or weeks before getting any treatment you will find it much more difficult to convince the insurance company the injuries you suffered are related to the accident, or that you even sustained any injuries.\u00a0 They will use your delay in getting medical treatment against you \u2013 so don\u2019t give them that opportunity.\u00a0 Go see your doctor, urgent care, chiropractor, or anyone else to get the necessary treatment.<\/p>\n\n
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