What You Need to Know After an Accident

After being in a car accident – or really any type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence – you’re bound to have a lot of questions. Not many places give you the answers you need, though—not until now. We’ve compiled a quick list of what you need to know after being in an accident to try to make the recovery process less stressful. Of course, you can always use the completely free 1-800-ASK-GARY Car Accident & Injury Helpline at any time to get connected to chiropractors, doctors, and even accident attorneys in your area.

Need help and have questions after an accident? Call 1-800-ASK-GARY now*!

(* If you or another person is suffering a medical emergency or has been seriously injured, call 911. Our Accident Hotline is meant to help you recover after you have received emergency, urgent, or acute injury care.)

What You Should Know About Your Health After an Accident

• You have the right to receive treatment from the medical provider of your choice for any injuries that you suffered due to the accident.
• You should see a medical provider soon after any accident, even if you feel fine at first. Some injuries may be underlying or delayed, but an early check-up and diagnosis could identify them before they become worse.
• Many of the worst injuries people suffer in mild to moderate car accidents are soft tissue injuries, like those involving joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. If you feel a dull ache, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, so you should see a medical expert right away.
• Spinal adjustments might be necessary for your recovery if you have back, neck, shoulder, or hip pain after an accident, so you should consider integrating chiropractic care into your recovery plan.
• Arm pain is a common injury in car accidents because most people use their arms to brace themselves during the impact. It can also be a sign of a fracture, so don’t ignore it.
• Paramedics will commonly apply a neck or spinal brace to car accident survivors, even if it isn’t obvious that they have suffered a neck or back injury. This is just a precaution to reduce the risk of worsening any serious neck or spine injuries.
• Reaching a full recovery after a car accident can be slow, but it will only take longer if you don’t get medical attention or don’t follow your doctor’s orders. Please take care of yourself by following the prescribed medical treatment plan and bringing any new questions or concerns to your medical provider right away.

What You Should Know About Your Legal Rights After an Accident

• You are entitled to receive insurance and contact information from any other drivers or parties involved in a car accident.
• If someone leaves the scene of an auto accident before providing the necessary information, you have the right to notify the local police department that the other driver has committed a hit-and-run accident.
• You have the right to collect evidence at the scene of an accident, which may include using your cellphone to take photos, videos, and testimonies.
• You have the right to hire an attorney to help you determine if you can file a personal injury claim against the other driver and their insurance company in addition to any auto insurance claim you need to file.
• You can talk to an attorney even before you have finished your medical treatment. Typically, it is advised that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after receiving any emergency, urgent, or acute medical care. 
• You have the right to self-represent in any civil legal proceedings after an accident – unless specifically prohibited by a judge – but it is not recommended due to the complexity of liability laws that surround the average accident claim, not to mention that the defendant will surely have hired legal counsel to help them dodge liability.
• Most states use a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which starts on the date of the accident or when your injuries reasonably should have been noticeable. If you don’t file an injury claim in civil court within this two-year period, you may lose the option to do so once it expires.
• Most law firms take personal injury cases and car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will only owe attorney fees if the law firm ends the case in your favor.
• You have the right to refuse to talk to an insurance company if you have hired an attorney. Rather than speaking with an insurance company representative yourself, you can direct them to reach out to your attorney for any questions or communications.