When someone is in an auto accident, often, their mind goes into survival mode. This survival mode is the state in which a person’s body is focused on preserving its life. This includes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, narrowing of blood vessels, and an increase in blood sugar. This mode can help a person survive a traumatic event, such as a car crash.
Other types of instinctive behavior may also kick in, in which a person becomes frozen or even becomes combative. For many, thoughts of their loved ones may kick in.
While all these are mostly natural processes, if you’ve been injured in an auto accident in North Carolina, there are a few things you need to know, and actively do – if you can. We have listed them below.
1. Seek Medical Attention
There are a variety of reasons why seeking medical attention after an auto accident is important. One reason is that many injuries may not be immediately apparent. A person may feel fine after an accident, but later experience pain or other symptoms.
Seeking medical attention can help ensure that any injuries are treated and monitored. Another reason to seek medical attention is that some injuries may not have any immediate symptoms, such as concussions, but can still cause long-term damage.
2. Call For Help
If you have been injured in an auto accident and are unable to move, it is important to call for help. Dialing 911 will connect you with emergency responders who can help you get the medical care you need. If you can’t move, you may ask an onlooker to call 911.
By calling 911, the police will not only help to connect you with an ambulance, but they will also help you with filing a police report. They will also fully document what happened at the scene of the accident, which will be helpful in starting the process of filing an insurance claim.
3. Document Everything
If you have been injured in an auto accident, it is important to document everything. This includes taking pictures of the scene, writing down what happened, and getting the contact information of any witnesses. Of course, if you have been seriously injured, you may not be able to do this. In this case, you may have an attorney contact the police to get a copy of the accident report.
Documentation is important because if you decide to file a claim or lawsuit, having documentation will be key. The insurance company will likely want to see this information as well. If you do not have any documentation, it may be more difficult to prove that the accident was not your fault.
The majority of other US states adhere to the idea of comparative negligence, which holds that the number of damages must be lowered in proportion to the degree of culpability held by the plaintiff in the case. In North Carolina, however, negligence laws adhere to the idea of contributory negligence, which prevents a plaintiff from recovering damages if they are even partially (1%) to blame for the incident.
4. Don’t Speak With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Without Talking to an Attorney First
Many people involved in car accidents assume that the first thing they should do is talk to the insurance company. However, this may not be the best course of action. You may want to speak with an attorney before you speak with the other driver’s insurance company, or yours. Even if it is that the other driver’s insurance company has tried to contact you, do not speak with them without talking to an attorney first.
Why?
You may not realize it, but they may try to get you to sign a release or make a statement that could hurt your case down the road. An attorney can help protect your rights and make sure you do not say or do anything that could damage your case.
5. Keep Track of All Expenses Related to the Accident, Including Medical Bills, Property Damage, and Lost Wages
If you are injured in a car accident, it’s also important to keep track of all the expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
Medical bills can add up quickly after an accident, so it’s important to keep track of them and make sure they are all accounted for.
Property damage can also be expensive to repair, so it’s important to document any damage that was done to your car or any other property.
Lost wages can be a significant expense if you are unable to work because of your injuries. Make sure you keep track of any time you miss at work and factor that into your calculations.
Contact Our Wilmington Car Accident Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, do you know who to call? Flexner Houser Injury Law is here to help – call us today to meet with a North Carolina car accident attorney for a free consultation. We have over 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of car accident victims, and we’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Flexner Houser. We’re serious.
