Media post: What To Do When You Get Injured Driving Fast On The Road

In the United States, an average of six million accidents happens each year. About 30 to 35 percent of these accidents involve personal injury to the driver or passengers. Speeding accounts for almost 30 percent of the causes of accidents on the road, closely following distracted driving among the top causes of road mishaps in the United States. Drivers often lose track of their speed unintentionally or intentionally ignore the speed limits on the road, leading to accidents. These numbers are staggering, which should prompt you to drive defensively and prepare for these unfortunate situations.

Here, we will share some useful advice on what to do when you get injured while driving fast on the road or for any other reason and how to mitigate the damages.

Stop and Do Not Leave the Accident Site

You have the legal obligation to stop and secure the accident site when you get involved in an accident. Assess the situation first and check yourself and the other driver for injuries. This is a standard procedure in vehicular accidents if you were to ask a Shelby car accident lawyer in North Carolina or a car accident lawyer in any state. However, an exception would be if you were seriously injured and require immediate medical treatment. In this case, be sure to call your car accident lawyer and insurance provider immediately if you are physically able, or let them know of the situation after you get treated. In case when the injuries are not serious, stay on the scene until law enforcement arrives.

Secure the Accident Site

Switch on your hazard warning lights and headlights to avoid becoming a road hazard and causing another accident. Set up early warning devices such as warning triangles or road cones at least 50 meters from the accident site or twice that distance if traffic is moving quickly. This should alert motorists to stay out of the way and let oncoming law enforcement spot your location.

Assess and Document the Situation

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you should be able to make an accurate record of what happened during the accident. If you are conscious and able to move, you can check the injuries of the other driver and the damages of the vehicles involved. Relay what happened to the investigating officer. If you are not sure about certain facts, let the officer know. Do not speculate or guess some pieces of information.

It would be helpful if you take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your car, which can be used for insurance claims later on. Your car accident lawyer will also need documentation to help with claims and other legal steps needed concerning the accident.

Exchange Information

The investigating officer usually facilitates collecting the important contact information of the involved parties in a car accident. If no law enforcement arrives on the scene, obtain the name, address, and contact information of all the persons involved in the accident. You should also include the insurance company and policy number in the information exchange. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well for your lawyer to contact if needed. If there is an investigating officer on the scene, request for a police report number and obtain a police report, which you will need in processing your insurance claims later.

Get Your Injuries Treated

If your injuries are minor, you can have them treated after securing the accident scene and obtaining important information concerning the accident. However, this step can take precedence if your injuries are serious and require immediate medical attention. In both cases, be sure to obtain documentation of the injuries sustained, medical bills, treatment records, and doctor’s notes to help you file your accident insurance claim.

Driving fast can get you to your destination quickly but you are also running the risk of being involved in a vehicular accident. Prevention is always the best option and you can prevent accidents by driving defensively. Drive attentively and focus your attention on the road at all times. Also, it pays to have a good car accident or personal injury lawyer in the event you get involved in an accident. Summing it up, prevention and preparedness are your two best lines of defense when driving on the road.