Although people understand that driving can be dangerous, most do not realize how many people die in motor vehicle accidents every year. Even if you only look at the United States, about 40,000 people are involved in fatal car crashes each year. Not only that, but the number of car accident deaths continues to go up as the years go by.
These statistics are a big part of the reason that the law looks so harshly on reckless driving. However, the harsh penalties for reckless driving may do little to comfort someone who has been the victim of a reckless driving accident.
The unfortunate truth is that it is vital that you know how to handle being in a reckless driving accident to make sure that your interests are taken care of. Depending on your exact situation, you may not be able to follow all of these steps after suffering from the reckless driving of another driver. However, understanding these tips will still help you navigate your situation as well as you can after suffering from a reckless driving accident!
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Focus on Safety After an Auto Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a reckless driving accident, your primary focus should be on your safety. If you are unlucky, you might be hit again by a driver who is caught off guard by the accident.
If at all possible, you should try to navigate your car off to the side of the road. Whether you can do this or not, it is also important to make sure that your car is as visible as possible to other drivers.
That means turning on your hazard lights, at the very least. However, if you have traffic cones or anything else that can draw attention to your position, you should take the time to set them up around your car if you can.
On the other hand, if you have suffered serious injuries from a reckless driving accident, you might not be able to follow all of these steps. In the case of severe injuries, it can be vital that you avoid moving too much. If you are paralyzed in any way, then it is crucial that you do not allow anyone to move you until medical professionals arrive.
That means that you may also need to be prepared to tell people firmly to avoid trying to help you. This can be difficult if you are not prepared until the moment that someone is already trying to help you. Mentally prepare yourself to explain the situation to people so that they understand that your safety requires that they avoid moving you until medical help arrives.
Call the Police About the Reckless Driver
If you are able to do so, you should call the police as soon as possible after a reckless driving accident. This will provide a number of benefits.
First, it means that the police will arrive as soon as possible to assess the scene of the accident. Calling emergency services will also allow you or other injured parties to receive necessary medical attention as fast as possible. In many cases, even small delays to medical attention can have huge effects on medical outcomes.
Another advantage of calling emergency services is that you will create a record of the accident as soon as possible. If you end up in a legal case down the line, it will be helpful to have an official record stating that you called the authorities right after the accident.
Some people are not sure if an accident merits calling the authorities or not. However, it is still safest to call 911 and explain the situation.
If the person on the other side of the phone decides that your situation does not require the help of emergency services, then no harm will be done. And if it turns out that emergency services are required, it will be a good thing that you called as soon as possible!
Gather Car Accident Evidence
As long as it does not put you at any risk, it can also be helpful to gather evidence from a reckless car accident scene as soon as possible. As the minutes pass, the car accident scene might change, at which point it might be too late to record crucial details that might help resolve your legal situation later on.
Take the time to take pictures or even a video recording of the whole scene of the accident. That includes both cars as well as any marks the accident has left on the road. You might also want to look at the whole surrounding environment for any other signs that the accident has caused.
You should also take pictures or make a video recording of any injuries caused by the reckless driving accident. In fact, you will want to have a lot of evidence regarding any such injuries as they progress through the natural healing process. In the ideal case, you will have pictures of the injuries when they are fresh as well as when they are partially healed.
If you can manage it, it can also be helpful to speak with the reckless driver in question about what happened. In some cases, they might take responsibility for their reckless driving and agree with you about what happened. However, it is also possible that they will dispute what occurred.
When that happens, it is even more important that you have evidence so that you can help establish the truth of what happened in court. When the police arrive, they will also gather evidence and speak with everyone involved in the accident.
Make Sure to Speak With Your Doctor
Even if you suffer only minor injuries from a reckless driving accident, is important to speak with a doctor sooner rather than later. Injuries that seem mild at first can sometimes cloak deeper health problems.
Some people even walk away from an accident, thinking that they have not suffered any injuries at all. It can sometimes take hours or even days before symptoms begin to manifest themselves. Speaking with your doctor will help you assess any injuries you have and receive medical attention before they lead to more serious problems.
Collect Your Medical Records
As you meet with doctors, you should also be careful about holding on to your medical records. If you end up pursuing legal action at some point, your medical records will be valuable evidence. This applies to records regarding your physical health as well as any related to your psychological health after a reckless driving accident.
Be Careful Speaking About Your Accident
In many cases, it is not a good idea to speak about all the details of your accident in public. If you end up in court later on, the messages you share online might be used in court to try to discredit your case.
Of course, it can be difficult to know if a seemingly harmless statement might weaken your legal case or not. That is why it is vital to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a reckless driving accident.
Assess Things With a Car Accident Attorney
At first, you may have no idea whether or not you have the legal standing necessary to pursue legal action. However, if you wait too long to find out, the deadline for pursuing compensation for your damages might pass.
If you are unsure if you have a viable case on your hands or not, the fastest way to resolve this uncertainty is to speak with a legal expert.
Keep in mind that you do not necessarily have to hire the first car accident attorney you speak with to represent you in court. Don’t let the importance of finding the right lawyer to assist you to keep you from speaking with some car accident lawyer as soon as possible. You can find a car accident lawyer here who can help you decide if you should pursue legal action or not.
If you do, then you can focus on finding the right accident attorney for your specific situation. In such cases, it can help to ask around for recommendations for a good car accident lawyer. On the other hand, you might also be able to find the right lawyer for your situation by looking at positive reviews online.
Know What to Do When You’re a Reckless Driving Victim
Many people feel shaken up after being the victims of a reckless driving accident. In some cases, that can keep them from taking swift action to look after their future needs. Knowing more about how to handle reckless driving accidents can help you make the right choices as you navigate this difficult legal situation.
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