Whether you’re a passenger, driver or pedestrian, experiencing a serious car accident is traumatizing. One of the first thoughts victims of car accidents have is, “how do I get justice?”
Unfortunately, getting the compensation you deserve for the damages and injuries you have sustained in the accident is a complex task. Many factors can heavily impact the outcome of your personal injury claim, which is why you should always speak to an experienced car accident lawyer before deciding what to do next. Learn more about factors that can impact you and your personal injury claim below.
Get To Safety
Ensuring your safety is the most important factor after experiencing a car accident. You need to get to the side of the road as soon as possible, as other motorists can cause further injuries and damage to you or your vehicle. While drivers are required to maintain a minimum of 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead to avoid colliding with the vehicle in the case of a sudden stop, many drivers can’t stop in time due to one or more of the following factors:
- Bad weather conditions
- Bad road conditions
- Driving over the speed limit
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive Driving
- Tailgating
To avoid further collisions, safely drive your car to the side of the road. If your vehicle is completely immovable, leave it where it is and get yourself and your passengers away from oncoming traffic. Getting yourself to safety after a car accident is a crucial factor that helps you avoid sustaining any further injuries, especially if the accident occurred on major highways like the Whitemud, Yellowhead or Anthony Henday.
Seek Medical Attention
As soon as you’re safe from oncoming traffic, dial 911 and wait for the paramedics and police to arrive, even if your injuries appear to be “minor.” While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, try to take photos and videos of the accident, gather contact information of any witnesses around and write down the driver’s license and insurance information. Often victims of car accidents are overwhelmed with a rush of emotions and adrenaline that they forget important details of the accident that can heavily impact their personal injury claim. To ensure that your claim is thoroughly detailed, document any damages and injuries you sustained at the accident scene. After the police arrive, make sure you request a copy of the police report and any other information that documents the damages done to your vehicle.
Treat Your Injuries and Document the Damages
After you’ve received the police report, you should head over to the emergency room or visit your family doctor, even if you’re not feeling immediate pain. Getting medical attention ensures that you receive the necessary medical treatment for any injuries you might have sustained. Car accident injuries aren’t always apparent, and if left untreated, they can cause further damage to your body, which is why you should seek medical attention to treat any injuries and ensure that your health is in good hands.
As you’re getting the medical treatment you need, document any relevant diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, blood work, and other tests that document the severity of your injury. The more details you have of the damage and injuries you sustained from the accident, the more accurate your claim will be.
(For those who don’t have access to a family doctor in Edmonton, you can use Alberta’s Find a Doctor search tool to find a medical provider accepting new patients near you).
Get Edmonton’s Best Car Accident Lawyers on Your Side!
With more than 250 years of combined personal injury law experience, James H. Brown and Associates have helped many victims of car accidents in Edmonton attain the compensation they deserve. Many of our car accident lawyers have also been included in the 2023 and 2022 Best Lawyers List!
Our team of professional and experienced car accident lawyers is available to meet with you right away, whether that’s in person at the hospital, over the phone or on an online conference call. No matter where you are or what time it is, call us toll-free at (855) 428-0088 to get in touch with one of our car accident lawyers. You can also fill out our contact form with details of your accident, and one of our lawyers will contact you!
Read more about the Factors That Can Impact The Outcome of Your Personal Injury Claim in part 2 of our blog!
