There are about six million car accidents in the United States every year. Three million, or half, of those accidents, end in an injury. In Jacksonville, FL, you are very likely to be in a car accident at some point in your life. There is also a strong likelihood that this accident will result in an injury to you.
So, what do you do if you have been injured in a car accident in Jacksonville? Below you will find the top five steps to take after a car accident injury.
Knowing what to do after a car accident injury is essential. Having the proper information ahead of time ensures you will make the right decisions at the moment. Here are the five most important things to do after you have been injured in a car accident.
The state of Florida allows you to file a police report about a car accident up to ten days after the incident. Choosing to wait multiple days to file a report can be tricky, as the crash site will be cleaned up and a lot of evidence removed. If you plan on contacting the police at a later time, make sure that the scene of the accident is minutely documented, and evidence preserved.
You should contact and file a report for any car accident, but especially one that results in an injury. A police report is often required by insurance companies. If you do not file a report, then your insurance company may not pay for your medical treatment or car repair costs. Depending on the severity of your injury, charges may be filed as well. Therefore, this is one of the first things you should do after a car accident injury.
In addition to contacting the police, you will want to get in touch with your insurance company. Your insurance company will likely have a window of time when you can file a claim. Make sure you adhere to their policies.
Do not make a statement to the other driver’s insurance company before contacting an attorney, however. Also, do not sign any release of claims until you have been evaluated by a doctor.
That brings us to our next point: get immediate medical attention from a doctor or chiropractor. In the State of Florida, you have 14 days to seek medical treatment or you will lose your insurance benefits. Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should seek medical attention right away. Have a doctor or chiropractor determine the severity of your injuries. Sometimes a seemingly minor injury is more serious than you may think.
The most common car accident injuries are listed below.
Finally, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Chiropractors excel at diagnosing and treating the most common auto injuries suffered. They also create a care plan that will allow for you to get out of pain more quickly and heal from your injuries, preventing you from suffering from long-term pain. If you want to heal from your car accident injuries as soon as possible, you need to contact a chiropractor right away.
Chiropractic treatment is safe and effective for car accident injuries. So, the next time you find yourself in a car accident, make sure to contact Southside Chiropractic Car Injury Clinic.