If you’ve been involved in a collision, there are set rules you can follow to protect yourself. Do you know what they are?

There are hundreds of thousands of road traffic accidents around the globe every day. The World Health Organisation reports 1.3 million deaths due to RTAs every year. They further admit that they cost each country an average of 3% of their GDP on an annual basis. 

All this means to the average Joe is that we are at serious risk of becoming victims. Whether you are involved in a vehicular accident or whether you are a pedestrian who is injured, there are some things you can do to make sure your rights are protected.

What To Do After a Traffic Accident

If you have been hit by a car or in a vehicle collision, here’s what to do to protect your interests.

If you’re not Badly Injured. 

If you haven't been badly injured, wait at the scene for the police to come and make sure you give them your entire report. This creates a record of the accident and tells the insurance companies that you were there. In addition, you can help administer first aid to other victims if you are qualified.

While you are waiting for the police, gather witness contact details if possible. Take pictures of the scene, of the vehicles, and your injuries. Once the location is secure and the police have arrived, take yourself to the hospital to get checked out. This is vital, even if your wounds are minor. Again, this creates a record of your injuries.

Once you are safe, free of the scene, and have contacted your family to let them know you are OK, your next call should be to lawyers Sutherland. They can help advise you on what to do next and your rights.

If you are Badly Injured.

If you have been badly injured and cannot take care of yourself, then chances are you won’t wake up until the hospital. So get yourself safe and checked but be sure to give the police your statement as soon as you are able. You will also want to call a lawyer as soon as possible so that your rights are represented while you are incapacitated. The lawyer can then head to the accident scene and perform documentation on your behalf.

For All Parties

In either case – whether badly injured or not – you should attend all appointments set to you by your doctors. Make sure you finish courses of medicines and therapies. Keep all of your receipts, including a record of your traveling expenses. Remember to factor in your loss of earnings, too. You will lose out if you are off work because of the accident. 

Car accidents happen daily and can present a long recovery time. However, if the worst happens and you need to sue for damages, you should at least be able to get your medical expenses paid.