You never think it will happen to you until it does. A car accident can be such a stressful experience, and if it’s the first time you’ve been in an accident, then you might not know exactly what to do. The shock and trauma of a car accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed with what steps to take next, from calling your car insurance company to figuring out treatment options for any injuries. Thankfully, there are highly trained and skilled car accident chiropractors who can help. At Affordable Chiropractic Killeen, our car accident chiropractors will provide you with the quality care you need, from a comprehensive exam and diagnosis through your treatment and recovery. Here’s what to do after a car accident when the crash wasn’t your fault:
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
You may not be exactly sure what to do in a car accident until it happens to you. However, there are a few things to keep in mind about what to do immediately after an accident.
Stay Calm
The first thing you want to do is stay calm. Take a few deep breaths and take in your surroundings. Immediately after a traumatic event like a car accident, your body will likely flood with adrenaline, which can help jumpstart your fight or flight response and help you take care of yourself in the moments ahead.
Check for Injuries
The next thing you need to do is check yourself for any injuries. It is important to note that adrenaline and shock can actually mask pain and other symptoms, so you might not realize you have been injured. Take a moment to assess your body from head to toe and take note of any obvious injuries, pain, or discomfort. If you have suffered a serious injury, then avoid moving around as much as possible and wait for help to arrive.
Get to a Safe Place
If you are not badly injured, then you want to get to a safe place, whether that means pulling your car to the side of the road or into a nearby parking lot and away from traffic. If you get into a car accident in the middle of a busy roadway, then your safety and the safety of others may be at risk until you are able to move safely out of the way of other moving vehicles.
Collect Info at the Scene
Once you are safe, you will want to collect information at the scene. When the police arrive, they will also fill out a police report detailing the accident. It is helpful for you to take down details as well, including photos or videos of any injuries or damage to your vehicle. You will also want to ask the police officer for the report number so you can easily access the accident report for your insurance company as needed.
Detail Your Experience
Once you have a minute to pause, take some time to write down what you remember about the car accident. By detailing your experience soon after it happened, you will be able to better recall important information, especially if you were not the driver at fault. Make a note of any pain or other symptoms you may be experiencing and whether they get worse with certain movements or as time goes on.
Seeking Treatment for a Car Accident Injury
While it is important to handle the accident, insurance, and paperwork properly, you want to make sure you take care of yourself after a car accident. You should seek treatment from a car accident chiropractor right away, even if you are feeling fine. Remember that adrenaline and shock may be keeping you from recognizing more serious injuries. Visit a trusted car accident doctor who can provide you with a thorough physical examination and take X-rays for diagnostic imaging to confirm or rule out common injuries like whiplash or broken bones.
A car accident chiropractor will also provide you with a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific injuries. You will need to follow your recommended treatment plan and speak with your car accident doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Visit Affordable Chiropractic Killeen for same-day appointments and walk-in chiropractic care. Our team of car accident chiropractors can help you recover and heal from your injuries so you can get back to your daily routines and activities you enjoy.