What to do if you’re seriously injured in a car accident

Some car accidents are nothing more than minor fender benders in which all parties involved are able to walk away from the scene without injuries.

Conversely, there are also car accidents that result in serious injury, including but not limited to broken bones, amputation, severe burns, deep lacerations and paralysis.

If you’re seriously injured in a car accident, it’s critical that you do the following:

• Don’t make it worse: For example, if you have a broken bone, don’t attempt to move the affected area or push the bone back into your body. Doing so can cause extreme pain and discomfort, as well as additional damage.
• Stay where you are: It’s ideal to move your vehicle out of traffic, but it’s not a good idea if you’re too injured to do so. Instead, stay where you are until help arrives. The responding officers will take control of the scene, ensuring your safety and that of those around you.
• Receive immediate medical treatment: The sooner this happens, the greater chance there is of making a full recovery. Call 911 or have someone do so on your behalf. Paramedics will arrive on the scene and transport you to a local hospital for treatment.

If you’re part of a motor vehicle accident, you hope to escape without injury and major damage to your vehicle.

Should you suffer a serious injury, turn all your focus to your health, treatment and making a full recovery. Once you’re able to do so, you can file an insurance claim and look into all your options for holding the negligent driver responsible for your injuries, property damage and other losses.