How To Help a Loved One Severely Injured in a Car Accident

If your loved one has been in a car accident, they may face both physical injuries and emotional trauma. Whether the effects of the accident are mild or severe, they will need support. Here are a few ways to help loved ones who have been severely injured in a car accident:

1. Report to the Police

Contact the police as soon as you find out that your loved one has been in an accident. If they are injured severely, they may not be able to call the police. The police will come to the scene and take details of the accident. You may need their report when seeking compensation.

2. Contact Insurance Providers on Their Behalf

Notify your loved one’s insurance company and let them know that they have been in an accident. Many insurance companies demand that policyholders report accidents as soon as possible. Find out if medical benefits are part of your loved one’s coverage. They may help you pay for their medical expenses. 

3. Get Details of the Accident

Get as many details of their accident as possible. Take pictures of their car, injuries, and others involved in the accident. Any visible damage will help them when seeking compensation. If, however, you are not allowed at the scene of the accident, do not interfere with police investigations. Exchange information with witnesses, the other driver, and the police who respond to the accident. If there are witnesses, take their accounts and submit them to a lawyer later.

4. Talk to Them About Getting a Lawyer

No matter how difficult it may be, contacting a lawyer after an accident is always a good idea. If your loved one was injured severely, they may have a lot to deal with. The thought of contacting a lawyer may slip their minds. According to David Christensen Law, the right attorney will help them make the right decisions and increase their chances of getting compensation. Take them through the process of finding and hiring a good attorney. It can be a time-consuming process, so they will appreciate the support.

Let them understand that they have a limited time for submitting a claim. Work with them to gather important details like their medical bills, accident reports, and records of lost wages. Ensure that they do not sign any paperwork without consulting a lawyer.

5. Visit a Doctor

If your loved one was severely injured in a car accident, your first stop should be at the doctor’s office. They may have sustained various types of injuries including whiplash, neck and back injuries, soft tissue injuries, and brain injuries. If not treated early, these injuries can get even worse. At the hospital, doctors will use x-ray services to identify different types of damages. Soft tissue injuries are usually difficult to detect because they may not be visible. They aren’t as painful as other types of injuries. Get all the medical bills from the hospital as you may need them when pursuing compensation.

6. Offer Emotional Support

You cannot sit back and watch your loved ones struggle emotionally. Provide them with as much emotional support as possible no matter how strong they may seem. Adrenaline kicks in right after an accident and your loved one may be disillusioned for a while. They may have trouble accepting that the accident happened. Others may struggle with shock, guilt, and anger. They may need help processing and accepting these feelings.

Guilt is a common emotion in accidents with fatalities. PTSD may kick in even if the accident wasn’t their fault. They may be triggered by things like the sound of breaking glass or squealing tires. Offer support when you notice symptoms like anxiety, breathing difficulties, and numbness.

Without support, it may be difficult for them to go on with regular activities like running errands going to school, and working.

More than six million car accidents happen in the United States every year. Even though most of them only cause property damage, one in three of them cause personal injury. Two in ten accidents in the United States cause fatal injuries.

f your loved one was seriously injured in a car accident, one of the best things you can do for them is ensuring that they get the compensation they deserve. Contact the police and get a police report right after the accident. Take photos, videos, and witness accounts as they may provide the proof needed when filing a claim. Another important step is ensuring that they have the services of a good lawyer.

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