by: Paul Hood
Accidents are unexpected occurrences in life. These are traumatic events that nobody wants to encounter. Because of the shock an accident causes, people tend to lose their ability to think correctly resulting to serious injuries, even death, to himself or to another party.
How can we overcome shock during or after an accident? Presence of mind is very vital in situations like this.
There are several kinds of accidents. Examples are vehicular accidents, industrial accidents and aerial accidents. Different accidents need different approach.
Car accident is an example of vehicular accidents, which claimed millions of lives and caused many people to suffer. Damages a car accident can cause include disability, emotional distress and permanent disfigurement. A lot of victims endure from injuries such as broken bone injuries, scar injuries, head and neck injuries, and nerve damage.
We cannot do much during an accident because it happens so fast that we are not able to control it. What is important is that we have to learn how we should behave after the incident and what actions we have to take. It will be hard for an injured person to think of the people or things around him. His only concern is the pain that he is feeling. In situations wherein you are still able to talk, walk and move without difficulty, you might as well do the following steps.
Ask or know the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the individuals involved in an accident. Car owners involved must secure car insurance. If there are witnesses in the area, ask for their names, addresses, and telephone numbers, too. Assist the police with the investigation, be cooperative. Take note of important visual information, like scratches and marks on the car and the weather condition. If you do not have pen or any writing materials, review the scene in your mind so that you can remember it. You have to tell the police exactly what happened. Take pictures of the cars involved in the accident. The picture must tell a detailed story. If you feel any pain or discomfort after the accident, consult a physician right away, or else it will raise questions whether the injury was caused by the accident or not. Consult an attorney before filling out any documents or giving your statement. Photograph wounds that heal quickly, you might need it during a case hearing or investigation. You might also need a lawyer to assist you in filling important papers, assist in court proceedings, and getting your claims.