There are a number of legal responsibilities that you have after a car accident, but there are also some things that you should do to protect the most important person: you. Icon Medical Centers, an accident injury clinic in Miami, says that injuries after a car accident can range from mild to severe and include whiplash, broken bones, back injuries, head injuries, and bruises.

The following steps will help you know what to do after a car accident to take care of yourself. Keep reading.

Things To Do After A Car Accident

Dial 911

You must report your accident to the authorities. Check on the other driver, passengers in either vehicle, and others who may have been hit, like pedestrians, and then call 911. You must report where the accident happened and how many were injured.

You cannot leave the scene of a car accident. Doing so is a violation of the law.

Exchange Information

You and the other driver must exchange contact information such as your names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license number, and auto insurance policy information, including the phone numbers of your insurers. You should also get the contact information of witnesses of the accident.

You must collect this information because you will need it to file a claim with the insurance company, as well as a personal injury lawsuit if you decide to file one later on.

Take Photos

Take photos of the accident scene so that they can be used later as evidence. Taking pictures shows how and where an accident happened, the direction each car was driving, and the damage to each vehicle — all of which can be used to determine exactly how the accident happened.

Seek Medical Treatment

Suppose you are bleeding, have a headache, lost consciousness, or hit any part of your body forcefully against the door or another part inside of your car. In that case, you should be evaluated for serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding.

Whiplash is a very common, non-life-threatening injury that occurs when the neck muscles are strained from the sudden back-and-forth movement after being struck. Whiplash often has latent symptoms, which means that your symptoms may not show up right away, but a doctor would be able to determine if you are developing signs of whiplash before you notice any pain.

In the following days, weeks, and even months after your accident, you should stick to your treatment plan as prescribed. Minor injuries may heal in a few days or weeks with hot compresses or antibiotic ointments at home.

Healing from whiplash, for example, may last a few weeks and can be accelerated by therapeutic massage. If your injuries require surgery, you may also need to see a physical therapist to increase your range of motion and recover your motor skills. Since these injuries are caused by trauma, you should go to a clinic that specializes in accident injuries so that they can customize your treatment plan for optimum results.

Talk To A Personal Injury Attorney

Under Florida personal injury law, you may be entitled to compensation for costs and losses like your medical treatment, lost wages, and car damage — as well as a range of non-economic damages relating to matters like the pain and suffering you have endured. A personal injury attorney can help you recover your losses from the liable party’s auto insurance company.