Being involved in a car crash can be traumatic for all parties involved. This is especially true for those who sustain serious injuries and must struggle with the physical, emotional, and financial toll that they can take. For this reason, many injured parties are not in a position to pursue their own legal claims and so miss out on the opportunity of obtaining compensation from the responsible parties. In these situations, it is important for family members to support their injured loved ones, which may include providing medical care and emotional support as well as helping the injured party pursue a legal claim, so if your loved one sustained an injury in a car crash caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness, it is critical to obtain the advice of an experienced car accident attorney who can help you pursue a legal claim.
Accident-Related Symptoms
Many car crash victims experience symptoms of emotional distress in addition to the physical symptoms of their injuries. If an injured party’s accident occurred relatively recently, he or she may suffer from stress-related symptoms, including:
- Insomnia;
- Flashbacks;
- Feelings of detachment from others;
- Mood swings;
- Increased stress level;
- Depression;
- Fear and anxiety;
- Irritation; and
- Memory problems.
Fortunately, injured parties can seek help from medical professionals, therapists, and religious leaders. However, while they have their hands full with resolving their physical and mental injuries, they may be unable to address legal issues stemming from their accident. In these cases, it is especially important to have the support of family members and loved ones.
Steps to Take if You Have Been Involved in a Car Crash
Whether an accident involved multiple cars or a single vehicle, there are certain steps that those who have been involved in car accidents should take immediately, including obtaining the other party’s contact information. Some accident victims, however, are so shaken by the events that they are unable to thoughtfully process what steps to take next. In these situations, it is important for family members to step in and provide support.
Immediately after an accident, it is important for the parties involved to:
- Contact emergency responders who can ensure that all parties who require medical care are able to receive it; and
- Contact local law enforcement officers, whose will then take official statements from all of the parties involved. This allows victims the opportunity to explain how the accident occurred while the details are still fresh in their minds.
If a family member was not in the car with his or her loved one at the time of the crash, he or she will not be able to provide a witness statement to the police, but can still help obtain contact information from the parties involved, including each party’s:
- Name;
- Driver’s license number;
- Address;
- Phone number; and
- Insurance information.
They may also be able to obtain the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur and would be able to testify as to the cause of the accident in the event of a trial. Family members may also be able to help their injured relatives by:
- Taking pictures of all property damage;
- Taking pictures of the scene of the accident;
- Obtaining the insurance company’s damage valuation;
- Requesting two independent repair or replacement estimates from qualified individuals;
- Obtaining a copy of the police report;
- Requesting copies of all medical records related to the accident, including bills, photographs and descriptions of the victim’s injuries, as well as the contact information of all treating physicians.
Finally, the loved ones of an injured party can retain the services of an experienced attorney who can help walk him or her through the legal process of collecting compensation from the responsible parties.
Contact an Experienced Clinton Car Accident Attorney
Sustaining a serious injury in a car crash can be not only physically painful, but emotionally traumatic as well. For this reason, many injured parties are unaware of or unable to pursue their legal claim and so miss the opportunity to obtain compensation for their injuries. In these situations, it is critical that family members help keep the legal process running smoothly, so if a member of your family lives in the Clinton area and was recently injured in a car crash, please contact the Joye Law Firm by calling (888) 324-3100 or by completing one of our standard contact forms and a member of our legal team will help you schedule a free initial consultation with a dedicated car accident lawyer.
Categories
Archive
