Car Accident Injuries: Your First Steps After a Wreck

 

The National Safety Council estimates that almost 30 thousand motor vehicle accidents happen every day. While only around 0.5 percent are fatal, about 30 percent involve injuries and 70 percent involve only property damage. A vehicle accident is an upsetting experience, but every person involved should follow the steps below to legally protect themselves while being safe and responsible.

 

Control the Scene

If you are directly involved in a vehicle accident, never leave the scene. This is considered a ‘hit and run’ and could result in your driving privileges being suspended or revoked. Stop as close as possible without blocking or endangering traffic. If it’s just a minor fender bender, pull over to the side of the road. However, if you can’t move the car without causing further damage, just leave it where it is with the hazard lights flashing and flares, if needed.

 

Provide Medical Attention

First ensure that everyone involved is not injured before focusing on car damage. Provide reasonable aid to anyone injured. Anyone who has suffered serious injuries should not be moved. Only a paramedic or police should attempt to move them. Call 911 if there is any significant personal injury or damage to cars or property. Any driver involved in an accident where a person is rendered unconscious or killed must stay at the scene until the police arrives.

 

Exchange Information

Exchange names, phone numbers, addresses, drivers’ license numbers, license plant numbers and insurance information with all drivers. Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of any passengers or witnesses. This information will be needed for your insurance company. In addition to this, this information is legally required for any accidents with significant property damage or death on the Police Report and DMV Accident Report.

 

Take Notes and Pictures

Document everything possible. Take photographs of any damage to vehicles as soon as possible. Take pictures of the scene of the accident. If possible, photograph the driver’s license, license plate and other driver. Interview any witnesses and record exactly what the other driver and passengers say. A car accident attorney says all of this documentation will be extremely valuable to your insurance company and attorney if you have to go to court. When discussing the incident, avoid admitting fault and apologizing. Instead, be honest and impartial. Be sure to obtain the name, badge number, phone number and police report number from the police officer at the scene.

 

In conclusion, vehicle accidents can be safely and responsibly handled through controlling the scene, providing medical attention, exchanging information and taking detailed documentation.

 

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5 Tips to Finding the Right Health Insurance Provider

 

When researching different health insurance providers, it can be difficult to know which plan is most ideal for you and your family. From various amounts of premiums to the coverage that is offered, there are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration. When beginning the process of finding a new provider, there are a few tips to follow to find the right fit.

 

1. Look at the Network

If you’ve been seen by a particular doctor throughout your life or want to stick with a certain specialist who you feel comfortable with, it’s important to take a look at the network that is offered with each insurance provider. Having to switch physicians can be difficult, especially if they’re not experienced with the history of your health.

Similarly, certain surgical centers like Nueterra will only be covered by certain policies, making it important to determine where you want to be treated.

 

2. Read Reviews

Besides looking at all of the fact, it’s just as important to read reviews of other customers’ experience with the provider. Hearing about the professionalism, care, and convenience of the provider will allow you to determine how well you’ll be treated and if it’s worth the cost.

 

3. Research the Drugs that are Covered

You may be on a number of different drugs that are used on a frequent basis, making it crucial that you research if they’ll be covered with the new plan. If you sign up for a policy that only covers certain drugs or a partial amount, it could equate to thousands of dollars that you pay annually for the prescriptions out of pocket.

 

4. Consider the Dependents

The cost of your policy will greatly be influenced by the number of dependents that you have, which includes individuals who are under the age of 26. Legally, you’re required to have your children on your policy if they are still under 26.

 

5. Look at the Limits

Annual limits are now in place due to the health reform, which is not allowed to impose a limit of $2 million. Limits are still imposed on various services that are not crucial to your health and should be considered when choosing your provider.

 

When it comes to finding the right health insurance provider, weighing your options and considering all of the factors involved will make it easier to receive the care that you need without complications involved. By using a provider and plan that you can afford, it will allow you to have peace of mind knowing that your health will be in the best hands.

 

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A More Affordable Recovery with DIY Physical Therapy

 

 

When you have been injured in any type of event, the most important thing on your mind should be recovery. Your life has been interrupted by this event. You may find that the treatment plan offered by your medical provider and the harassment from the insurance company is actually causing you more problems than necessary. Thankfully, you do not have to sit back and allow this to happen. There are things you can do that will improve your situation.

 

 

Hire A Personal Injury Attorney

The first thing that you must do is hire a personal injury attorney. This will allow you to “hand over” all of the mental aggravation associated with the accident and injury. When your attorney is handling all the interactions with the insurance company you become free to concentrate on your recovery. Your attorney will be able to handle everything from conferences with the insurance company to ensuring that you are receiving fair financial compensation. 

 

 

DIY Physical Therapy

Another thing that you can do is improve your recovery by incorporating some physical therapy into your daily routine. Not only is this a very cost-effective way to recover from your injury, it will also improve your overall health, leaving you healthier than you were before the accident. Some of the DIY therapies you can try include:

 

• Walking

Take a short walk every day. This is good for building heart strength and stretching muscles. Walking increases lung capacity and is easy on joints. A short walk will also allow you to absorb some Vitamin D from the sunlight which is great for your skin and bone density. As an additional benefit you may even get to meet some of your neighbors.

 

 

• Stretching

You can do very low impact stretch such as sitting in your chair and bending over to touch your toes to more experienced stretching like Yoga. This will depend in the extent of your injury and your abilities. However, stretching is superior for your health. It helps break up acids that form in your muscles from being sedentary and it keeps you limber. Being limber also helps you retain your balance making it easier to avoid falls when you are older.

 

 

• Stationary Bicycle

There are so many benefits of using a stationary bicycle that everyone should own one. When you use the bicycle you are improving your circulation, raising your heart level, burning calories and stretching your lower back and leg muscles. These bikes are a great way to start exercising and stretching.

 

 

Of course, all of these exercises and therapies should be approached with caution. You do not want to over exert yourself if you have not been physically active in the recent past, and you do not want to harm your injury. However, all of these exercises have multiple benefits for your overall health and well-being. Start slow and work your way into a routine. It will help speed your recovery from the injury and leave you in much better health, and that is a good thing.

 

 

Writer Melanie Fleury has had many visits to physical therapy and knows how the costs can add up. She wants readers to look at possible options to help healing move faster. The website at http://www.southcarolinapersonalinjury-attorney.com/ was full of information on getting compensated for your care so that you can begin the healing process after an injury.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/armymedicine/6189476397/

 

 

Categories: DIY, diy physical, injury attorney, insurance company, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, personal injury, Physical Therapy, recovery, short walk, stationary bicycle

A Guide of Things You Need to Do After a Personal Injury

Have you recently been injured as a result of somebody else’s carelessness or negligence? If so, then you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover your subsequent medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and other expenses that you incurred following the accident. After all, why should you be left responsible for these costs if the accident was not your fault to begin with? Here are a few steps you should take following your personal injury to fight for the compensation you deserve.

 

Work with the Insurance Company

You may want to begin by attempting to file a claim with the other party’s insurance company. For example, if you slipped and fell on a commercial property, then you should speak with the business owner to obtain his or her insurance information and subsequently file a claim.

 

Document Your Expenses

In order to file an accurate claim, you should keep detailed records of your expenses related to the accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and even the cost of daycare in the event that you were injured to the point of being unable to care for your children following the accident.

 

Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer

If the insurance company does not offer you a fair settlement, it will be necessary to bring the case in front of a judge. To do this, you will most likely want to hire a personal injury lawyer. By having a personal injury lawyer on your side, such as one from Rogers Bussey Lawyers, you can get the representation you need to have the best chances of success in court. Injury lawyers in Newfoundland will work hard to represent your best interests and fight for your rights.

 

Do Not Discuss Details

Often times, once a legal battle ensues over a personal injury case, the insurance company will contact the injured person in an effort to work out a deal. This is a trap that you should not fall for. The insurance company may offer you a settlement in exchange for admission that the incident was not entirely their fault, but will then attempt to use this against you in court as a way of invalidating your case. Do not respond to any contact from the insurance company once the case has begun.

 

By following the above steps after your personal injury, you will have the best chances of receiving the compensation you are entitled to. From there, you can make an effort to get back to living your life as normally as possible.

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