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Whether you or a loved one gets involved in a car accident, it’s best to know where to get help and resources to recover. The question is, where should you start?
Common advice most give to car accident victims is how to handle the situation. But besides this, it’s also good to let them know where they can get the legal and medical assistance they need.
You might come across many options out there. So to get you started, here are five helpful resources you can consider!
Read More: Know Your Legal Options Following a Ridesharing Car Accident
Contents
1. Federal and State Safety Councils
One of the first places you want to reach out to when you get into a car accident is your federal or state council or administration. There’s usually a department that focuses on traffic safety, so you want to see who to contact when you get into a road issue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website displays information on related investigations, automobile recalls, and complaints. It could be a valuable source of data when you’re ready to file a claim regarding a car accident.
Additionally, you can find other information on basic traffic rules and etiquette on the National Safety Council’s page. It also includes topics on training and driver violations. This way, you can use it as a reference for your claim.
For statistics on auto-related accidents, you can head over to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. A few more things you can find include the demographic of people involved in car accidents and their causes.
2. Compensation and Victims Funds
When you come out with car accident injuries, you can file a claim to get personal injury compensation, especially when the reason goes against the law. Although some defendants or their insurers offer a settlement amount, you can also get a proper compensation amount through a lawsuit.
A personal injury claim allows you to receive a specific amount of money or funding from the person who caused your injury. In most cases, it depends on the severity of the accident injuries and the impact it makes on your daily life.
Generally, you can get compensated for the following damages:
- Economic damages, which affect finances
- Non-economic damages, affecting personal life
- Punitive damages caused by intentional harm
- Wrongful death damages
Note that there are still limits to how much compensation you can receive. So if you want to be sure you’re getting what you deserve, it’s best to hire an auto accident lawyer to assist you. You can check out this injury lawyer for more details about how they work.
3. Medical Help for Physical Trauma
Many car accident victims end up with physical trauma and other injuries. Although you can the defendant to pay for the recovery bills, it sticks with them for a long time.
It often takes a while to recover from any physical harm caused by a car accident, so you want to be sure you get treatment as soon as possible. It gives you all the more reason to file your claim sooner if you don’t have the fund to cover the medical bills.
The treatment you receive will vary on your accident injuries. If you have alignment or back issues, you might need chiropractic care. Chiropractors are also a common option for a car accident doctor because they can help your body regain balance.
Some cases may require surgery due to several reasons like a severe fracture, internal bleeding, and more. If that’s the case, you should contact a doctor who has experience handling patients who come from car accidents for better assurance.
Car accident victims also tend to get constant physical therapy post-accident. When this happens, the defendant must also pay for their sessions.
4. Assistance for Mental Health Issues
Besides physical injuries, auto accident victims can also develop issues with their mental health. It usually occurs due to the impact of the situation, causing a problem with their brain functions or leaving a dent in their memory. Either way, it requires therapy and rehabilitation according to the case’s severity.
People who experience mental health problems after a car accident tend to have trouble getting on the road again or even being in a vehicle. And so, they need continuous therapy sessions to help them overcome the fear and anxiety they feel.
A few of the common mental health issues victims develop after car accidents are as follows:
- Phobias
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Mood swings
Read More: Reasons To Hire An Injury Lawyer After A Car Accident
5. Automobile Insurance
If your car gets damaged after an accident, you can file an insurance claim to get repairs and replacements done. These will either be covered by the defendant or your insurance company. It often depends on what causes the damage.
Many suggest filing a report about the incident as soon as possible to ensure you get proper compensation for the damages to you and your vehicle. This way, the accident doesn’t end up burning a hole in your pocket.
Note that just because you make a claim doesn’t always mean it will go through. You should provide the necessary data and back it up with proper evidence to get approval for the coverage. It’s also good to know what type of car insurance claims you can file and see which fits your situation.
Aid Car Accident Victims With the Right Resources
Helpful resources for car accident victims can help guide victims through the difficult process following a car accident. From legal help to financial assistance, it is important to remember the resources available to car accident victims.
Learn more about accident-related services and financial support by contacting your local car accident attorney or social work agency for further information.
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