It’s inevitable in Sacramento. You’re cruising along Interstate 80 or Highway 50 and suddenly traffic comes to a halt. The person behind you doesn’t see your brake lights in time and then you find yourself being rear-ended. It’s quite possibly one of the worst feelings and if you’re lucky, there will be minimal damage and you won’t be injured. If this has happened to you, you may be familiar with the process. But if you’ve been able to escape a car accident on one of Sacramento’s busy highways, there are a few key tips you should jot down.
Step One, Exchange Insurance with the Other Driver
First and foremost, you’ll want to get the other driver’s insurance information. And if you were the one who caused the accident, be sure to provide your insurance information. You should have an insurance card in your wallet or purse, and you may even have insurance with a company that powers a cool app on your smartphone. Be sure to have the policy number, your name and phone number readily available.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the other driver in the accident doesn’t have insurance, they might try to offer you cash to drive off. Instead, you’ll want to immediately call the police. A California Highway Patrol officer will show up and advise on what’s best to do. Driving without auto insurance in the state of California is illegal and will need to be handled properly by authorities.
If the driver doesn’t have insurance, they may also try to drive off immediately after the accident. Don’t try to be a hero and chase them down; instead, try to get as much information as you can about their vehicle and who you think you saw driving, then report that to the police.
Step Two, The Steps in the Days After the Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an unfriendly driver and you don’t want to immediately involve law enforcement, you may need to call a personal injury attorney as soon as the accident scene is cleared. It’s never easy to determine if you need an attorney right away, especially right after an accident has occurred. However, if you can have an attorney in your corner just after an accident, there’s a greater chance they can get you the settlement you want. A personal injury lawyer will have you document everything you can about the accident and take photos of your vehicle’s damage. If a vehicle sustained a lot of damage, it’s logical to assume you (the driver) have been injured.
Additionally, a personal injury attorney will refer you to a doctor or chiropractor to evaluate your injury. The medical professional will document everything they see with your pain and it may be used in your injury case.
Step Three, Resolve Any Pain You Have After An Accident
Visiting a doctor or pain management specialist for legal reasons is only half of it. You also need to be sure sure you are resolved of any pain you may be experiencing as a result of the accident. While your primary care physician may place you on pain management medication, a chiropractor will help you work out the kinks of the injury so you can experience less pain long-term and not be dependent on pain medication.
“I’ve Never Been To a Chiropractor Before”
Don’t worry, you’re not the only person who has been involved in a car accident and has never seen a chiropractor. An easy way to find a qualified Chiropractor is to go to Google and look up “best chiropractor near me” or combine your city with chiropractor like, “Yuba City chiropractor. Google will show you results, reviews for the professional and their office location. You can also check them out on Facebook and Yelp to gather even more reviews.
Drive Safe
More and more people are hitting the roads and Highway 50 is back to being just as congested as it once was prior to the lockdown. Be mindful of other drivers on the road and drive defensively when necessary. If you have been involved in an accident, remember these three tips.