Although there are far fewer major auto accidents per year in Road Island than other states, it’s still important to know what to do if you’re in an accident and how to cope with the aftermath.
Below, our car accident lawyers discuss what steps to take immediately after an accident, how to assess your injuries, and how to protect your claim.
And remember, if you’ve been injured, our law firm is here to help you and your family. Call 401-354-2175 or contact our Providence office online and schedule your free consultation.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
What you do immediately following a car accident can have the biggest impact on the outcome of the entire ordeal.
Your capabilities following an accident will vary depending on whether the collision was minor, major, or somewhere in between.
After a minor accident, like a fender bender, you and the other driver should pull over to a safe location to exchange information and document damages. It’s also a good idea to call 9-1-1 for assistance. Law enforcement will ensure a detailed police report is filed, which will come in handy should there be a dispute about what happened or who’s at-fault.
Following a major accident, like accidents that result in serious injuries, major property damage, or involve multiple vehicles, call 9-1-1 for help immediately. Get to safety, and if you’re able to help others, do so with caution then wait for emergency services to arrive.
Assessing Physical and Psychological Injuries
Coping with the aftermath of an accident can be far more challenging than dealing with the accident itself. Injuries can transform a person’s life, reshape family dynamics, and limit professional opportunities.
Common physical injuries you or your passengers may experience after an auto accident might include:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries (torn or stretched muscles, tendons, or ligaments)
- Head and brain injuries such as a concussion or TBI
- Neck and back injuries (whiplash)
- Spinal injuries that can vary in severity
Assessing injuries after an accident is an important step toward recovery and protecting your claim.
While car accident victims typically focus on healing physical injuries, the psychological effects of a car accident should not be overlooked. These issues can develop and linger long after your wounds have healed and scars have faded. Psychological injuries may include, but are not limited to:
- Being easily startled
- Interrupted sleep
- Loss of interest
- Phobias of driving or other activities
- Emotional withdraw
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Neurosis
- Anxiety
- Chronic depression
Even though you can’t see them, psychological injuries are real. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, don’t delay contacting a mental health professional to facilitate your psychological recovery.
In addition to suing for damage to property, physical injuries, and lost wages, car accident victims in Rhode Island can sue for mental distress and impairment of ability to work.
No matter the injury, medical treatment is critical to both your physical/mental recovery and any claim you may have against a negligent driver or other liable party.
A medical professional will provide important documentation that defines your injuries and details the recovery process.
Medical documentation will be invaluable to your injury claim if you decide to hire one of our car accident attorneys. Those documents will help you receive equitable compensation for injuries, time away from work, and other financial losses caused by the accident.
Legal Representation You Can Trust
The car accident lawyers at Gemma Law can help you understand your rights and legal options following an accident.
Coping with the aftermath of an accident is tough enough—working with our experienced lawyers will give you the space you need to recover while our legal team handles the rest.
Consultations are free and there are no obligations. If you have questions, call 401-354-2175 or contact us online.
Stay connected with our law firm on Facebook and Twitter for legal updates, safety information, and more!
