None of us wants to be involved in a road traffic collision. But if we all knew the full impact of being in a car accident, we may think twice about taking those unnecessary journeys. When you’re stuck in traffic because someone has an accident, you can feel quite annoyed about the disruption. You’re running late, and it’s someone else’s fault. Spare a thought for those involved, though. They’re not going to make it to their destination. And they could be in for months of headaches thanks to this collision.

Car accidents can be the stuff of nightmares. They all come with that signature loud bang, crunch and crash noise. For those who have been traumatized by their car accident, that sound can send your heart racing and your whole body into a panic. Serious collisions can leave you trapped in a twisted tangle of metal. Who wouldn’t be on edge after that?

Thanks to Wallyir for the photo

Even a small accident can leave you nervous about traveling by car in the future. Road traffic collisions can be very impactful on the body. The head is thrown forward at the point of impact because it is not restrained when the rest of the body is. This puts a lot of strain on the neck, back and shoulders. You may experience nausea, headaches and back pain for several days after even a mild prang.

Exchanging details with the other driver involved can also be an unpleasant experience. They may be angry. This could be a result of the shock of the bump, or because they are angry with themselves for making this mistake. If you don’t feel safe, call the police to assist. If there are any injuries, this is usually the best course of action anyway.

If you can, take pictures or video footage of the vehicles and the people involved. This helps provide an accurate account of what happened, and the damage involved. Many people rely on dashboard cameras to provide evidence of who was to blame. Finding out who was accountable may not be your priority if you have been hurt, though. Call an ambulance if anyone needs immediate treatment.

Claiming back the damage to your vehicle is only one small part of dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. It takes time for your body to heal too. Impacts can cause aches and pains. Serious impacts can leave you with broken bones, internal injuries and even brain damage. The effects of these can last a lifetime. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you are within your rights to demand compensation to help you overcome these difficulties.

Having a personal injury law firm on your side is essential to ensure you receive the compensation you need. Medical bills are very expensive. The cost of repairing your vehicle may seem tiny in comparison. Then you need to consider the ongoing effects of your injuries. You may need to have unpaid time off work. The pain stops us from sleeping well. This in turn means we are less able to cope with situations we find ourselves in. Emotional distress could even cost you your job.

One of the most important things to consider after a car accident is how you can minimize your financial losses. Your insurance firm will usually take care of the cost of repairs. It usually depends on your policy details just how much help they will offer after that.

Keep your lifestyle costs low until things can return to normal. This is especially important if you need some time off work to recover. Your accident has been life changing for you. You might need to ask your employer to make adjustments to help you continue working.

It’s really hard to stay positive when you are in pain, and you feel like you have lost everything. When something bad has happened, try to find ways to adapt rather than saying ‘I can’t anymore.’ We are all affected by different things in different ways. What one person can brush off may emotionally cripple another. Being strong about the situation may help you with your compensation claim too. If you show you are trying to help make things better for yourself, it will be viewed in a positive light.

It’s really easy to feel sorry for yourself when something bad has happened. The impact of a single car accident can be quite huge on your life. Even the smallest prang can have negative consequences for you. The first thing you need to do is surround yourself with support. Stay close to friends and family who can help you get through this.

Thanks to Stockarch for the photo

Your lawyer will be able to assess your losses for you, and make any claims on your behalf. Your financial losses might be quite easy to tally up. The garage that tows and repairs your car will have a bill for you. Your lawyer can hand that over to the insurance company on your behalf. Other costs may include any emergency services call-outs. Again, most insurance policies can cover these things. Physical injuries such as broken bones, sprains and cuts can also be valued for compensation. Unfortunately, the emotional tolls are much trickier.

Loss of earnings can be claimed for if you can prove they were caused directly by the accident. This isn’t always easy to do. You may find you need counselling or psychotherapy after your accident. This again could be claimed back. However, it can be a long legal battle to do so. You will need a good personal injury lawyer on hand to help you navigate the legal obstacles. In the meantime, you may need to cover all these bills yourself until you can claim some money back.

Being involved in a car accident goes far beyond the inconvenience of running late. Life without a car for some can be impossible. Can you afford to cover the cost of car hire until your insurance pays out? What about all the other expenses that may crop up? It’s best to have a good lawyer on your side to help in these situations. And always check what your insurance covers!