Driving may seem automatic—it is something you do almost every day—but it is complicated, and if it is done incorrectly it can also be dangerous. Accordingly, it is important to know both what you can do before a car crash to protect yourself if a crash does occur and it is important to know what to do after an accident to help protect your recovery.
Be Prepared Before You Drive
Every single time you get in the car, it is important to buckle your seat belt and to insist that your passengers do the same. It is also important to make sure that your car is in good working order, that you are comfortable behind the wheel, that you are sober, rested and prepared to drive. Additionally, it is important to:
- Know and follow the Iowa car seat laws. Iowa has specific requirements about how children aged birth to eight should travel in the car. It is important to your child’s safety to comply with these laws, and it is important to know what others like the American Academy of Pediatrics say about car seat safety for children.
- Know and purchase the required car accident insurance. Iowa laws about car accident insurance are different from those of other states; however, the importance of auto insurance is the same. As a driver, it is important to know both what is required by law and what you really need to protect yourself, your assets, and your family.
Together, these things can help lessen the physical and financial injuries that may result from a car crash.
Know What to Do at the Accident Scene and Shortly After
There are also steps that you can take immediately after a crash and in the days following your accident to help protect yourself and any loved ones who may have been injured. Specifically, you can:
- Collect evidence at the accident scene. If you are physically able to do so then you should take pictures, take names, and collect other evidence at the time of your crash. The information you collect could be important in determining who caused your crash and who should pay for your injuries.
- Avoid mistakes at the accident scene. It can be difficult to think clearly after an accident, but it is important to avoid mistakes at the time of your crash to the extent that it is possible to do so.
- Get your children the medical help they need. Infants, young children, and some people with disabilities may not be able to tell you when they are hurt. Accordingly, it is important to always get medical help for them so that a proper diagnosis can be made and a prompt treatment plan can begin, if necessary.
- Get a copy of your police report. If anyone was hurt in your crash, then the police should have conducted an investigation and written a report about their findings. It is important for you to obtain a copy of the report—not because police reports are always definitive, but because they can help you in other ways.
Additionally, you can contact an experienced car accident lawyer so that you don’t have to navigate your complicated car accident recovery alone. To learn more, please start a free live chat with us now.