Unfortunately, the “it will never happen to me” mindset is an unhelpful one to have when it comes to unpleasant events like car accidents. While we’d all like to believe that we’re invincible (or just really good drivers) there are so many factors and variables that can play a role in what happens on the road. Naturally, this means that it’s best to be prepared for the worst – this isn’t about having a negative attitude, it just means that it’s important to have a bit of knowledge around how to handle the situation, should you ever find yourself there.
What to Do
The most important thing you’ll need to know about a car accident and getting injured is what to do in the situation. Naturally, the first and most crucial step is to get yourself to a hospital for medical exams. If you have an injury, especially a more serious one, you’ll need to address that first and foremost to find out about any procedures that might be necessary and get treatment. The next most important thing is the administration – yup, you’ll probably want to be calling a lawyer for this. Organising with your insurance company and talking to an attorney will help you deal with the damage and the aftermath, whether you or another driver is at fault in the situation.
What Might Be Wrong
Of course, we would hope that you were wearing your seatbelt, but unfortunately, that doesn’t make you bulletproof and there are still various kinds of injuries you could get in a car accident. It’s a good idea to be aware of these different kinds of injuries that you might incur. Some of the most common car accident injuries include neck and back injuries, which can range from mild and harmless to life-threatening. If you feel any back or neck pain after your accident (even a few days after) you should get it checked out. More serious injuries include injuries to your spinal cord, which can even lead to paralysis. Chest and head injuries are also common, and if your windscreen or windows are shattered, it’s important to check for any glass embedded in your skin, since these can lead to infections if left untreated.
How To Prevent Them
Probably the first and most important question to ask is how to prevent a car accident (or a car accident injury) in the first place – prevention is obviously better than cure. In this case, all the most important rules apply. Focused, rule-abiding driving is key, don’t text while you’re on the road and don’t drink and drive. Following road signs is more important than you think and paying close attention to other drivers on the road will also help to keep you alert to any potential mishaps before they happen. Naturally, wearing your seatbelt and always driving carefully will be your best to protect yourself in case anything goes wrong. A bonus tip is to keep an emergency kit in your car in case of an accident that occurs out of town where you might need to wait a little before help arrives.