What to Do if You are in an Accident During Your Road Trip

California is a great place to take a road trip, whether you already live in the state or you live in the country. You can visit major hotspots like Los Angeles and San Diego, or you can drive through the quieter back roads of upstate and enjoy the amazing scenery. From top to bottom, California offers a little bit of everything for everyone, and it offers beautiful views along the way.

While taking a road trip opens you up to more experiences and sights that you wouldn’t get if you just fly into a city and fly out, it also opens you up to more risk. Just being on the road puts you at a good risk of being in an accident. If you are in an accident and you are far away from your home, you will have to deal with the struggle of finding medical treatment in a strange place, getting your car repaired or replaced, managing the insurance company, and more, all while you are reeling from the accident and potentially recovering from serious injuries.

Here are a few things you should do if you are injured in an accident while you are on a road trip:

Hire a Local Attorney

One of the best things you can do after you’ve been in an accident is to call an attorney right away. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process after your accident, including what to say and not to say to the insurance company. The attorney would also help you negotiate or litigate to get the best possible settlement to cover your injuries, your time lost from work, the pain and suffering you experienced, and any other losses you experienced.

Hiring a local attorney is especially important. For example, if you are traveling through San Diego and get in an accident, you could consult with the attorneys at seriousaccidents.com.

If you are traveling in LA, you need to find an LA lawyer. These local attorneys know the laws specific to the city and county. They have contacts with the local hospitals, local forensic specialists, and local experts who may need to be called to testify in your case. Hiring local attorneys can help make the process easier and increase your chances of getting the settlement you need for your injuries.

Get Medical Treatment

Even if you think that your injuries weren’t that serious, it is important to always get medical treatment right away. You may even feel completely fine. But you may be suffering from injuries that you can’t see or feel just yet, such as a concussion, muscle injuries, or even internal bleeding. You may feel a little “off,” but you may think that all you need is some rest and you’ll feel fine. Yet without medical treatment, you could face life-threatening consequences.

At the very least, you’ll be able to say that you saw a doctor and got the all clear. If something is seriously wrong, you’ll get the life-saving treatment you need. Whatever your condition, getting immediate medical treatment will also ensure that you have concrete documentation for any potential legal action you need to take.

Call Your Insurance Company

Being far away from home, you may need transportation and you extended lodging after your accident. It’s important that you contact your insurance agency and that of the other driver immediately. You need to use whatever benefits are available to you under your policy to get your immediate needs met.

You may be able to get immediate needs taken care of through the other driver’s policy, but if the circumstances are in question or the insurance company is fighting the claim, you may be kept in limbo. That’s just another reason why it’s important to talk with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can fight on your behalf to get the insurance company to take care of your needs quickly. Further negotiation or litigation can help you secure the rest of what you need to cover your injuries and losses.

Getting into an accident is a terrible way to end your road trip. But be prepared with a little education will help you manage it a little better. Of course, hiring a good local attorney will go even further to helping you get through your accident and recovering with everything you need.