If you have been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident, there will probably be a lot of emotions going through your mind. While you are likely thinking about your injuries, the health of everyone else, and the damage to your vehicle, it is not unusual for people to make mistakes following a car crash. Take a look at some of the most common mistakes people make, and focus on what you have to do to put yourself in the best position possible to make a full recovery.
1. Not Calling the Authorities
One of the biggest mistakes people make following a motor vehicle accident is not calling the authorities. Following a car accident, you may feel relatively okay. You might look at your car and feel like the damage is relatively minor, and you may feel like you have not suffered any injuries at all.
Even though you might feel okay following a motor vehicle accident, you never know what injuries your adrenaline might be masking. Furthermore, you cannot see under the hood of your car, so there might be serious damage that you cannot spot. That is why you always need to call the authorities after a motor vehicle accident. If the authorities don’t document it, it is like the accident never even happened.
2. Not Going to the Doctor at All
In addition to not calling the authorities, there are a lot of people who make the mistake of not going to the doctor. Even if you feel okay, remember that the adrenaline going through your body can mask a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Then, when the adrenaline wears off, you may realize that you have suffered a serious injury. The sooner an injury is diagnosed, the faster it can be treated. That is why you always need to go to the doctor following a motor vehicle accident, no matter how “okay” you might feel.
3. Leaving the Scene of the Accident Early
You should never leave the scene of the accident until you are allowed to do so. This mistake qualifies as illegal, and it can make a bad situation worse. If there is damage to someone’s property, or if someone has suffered a serious injury, you are required to stop and exchange your information with everyone else who is at the scene of the accident. That is why you should always call the authorities. Do not leave the scene of the accident until they give you permission to do so.
4. Talking to the Other Person’s Insurance Company
If the accident is not your fault, you should not be responsible for the financial burden of your injuries or property damage. By law, people are required to have insurance to operate a motor vehicle on the road, and their insurance company should be responsible for compensating you up to the limit of their liability.
Just because they are required to do so does not mean they will not try to weasel their way out of it. Do not try to talk to the other person’s insurance company on your own. You may want to go through your insurance company and let them handle it for you. Or, you may want to reach out to a lawyer who can talk to the other person’s insurance company for you. That way, you can put yourself in the best position possible to get your claim paid out.
5. Going to the Wrong Doctor
You should also make sure that you do not go to the wrong doctor. After a motor vehicle accident, you should go to the emergency room. That is a good place to start, but you need to make sure you work with an auto accident doctor who can help you with the recovery process. By working with someone who specializes in motor vehicle accidents, you can minimize complications and side effects while also recovering as quickly as possible. Always work with someone who specializes in helping people recover from motor vehicle accident injuries.
6. Not Attending Follow-Up Appointments
Furthermore, you must make sure that you attend all of your follow-up appointments. Another common mistake people make is not going to their follow-up appointments. Even though you may feel better, this does not necessarily mean that your body has made a full recovery. Always go to your follow-up appointments, and listen to the advice provided by your auto accident doctor. If they recommend that you go through physical therapy to strengthen parts of your body that have suffered a serious injury, make sure you do so. The goal is to not only help you get better, but also to help you stay better.
7. Trying to do Everything Alone
Even though you are a strong, independent person, you should not feel like you need to go through everything on your own. There are professionals who can assist you. If you try to do everything on your own, it may take you longer to get better. Or, you run the risk of developing permanent complications.
You need to reach out to people who can advocate for your best interests. For example, you may want to reach out to a lawyer who can help you get the best settlement offer you can. Or, you may want to reach out to a chiropractor who can help you put yourself in the best position possible to recover. If you aren’t sure of who should repair your car, consider reaching out to a local expert. Ask for help when you need it. There is nothing wrong with that.
8. Going Back To Work Too Soon
Finally, do not make the mistake of going back to work too soon. Even though you probably want to resume your job and career as quickly as possible, your health has to come first. The best way for you to figure out whether you are ready to return to work is to consult a doctor who specializes in car accident injuries. That is where our team can help you.
Contact Doctor Wagner for Help With a Florida Car Accident
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing you should do is call 911 to ask the authorities and emergency medical personnel. Then, reach out to Doctor Wagner for help. We always put the needs of our patients ahead of our own, and we can do the same for you. We would love to help you recover from your injuries as quickly as possible. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with our team!