Checklist: What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents happen. According to the Minnesota Motor Department of Public Safety, 78,465 happen in our state per year.

Now what? Here are a couple quick checklists to use when you mind is a bit foggy and you are stressed after a fender bender.

Immediately After the Car Accident

• Stop and think safety first
  • Move out of the line of traffic
  • Turn off your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights
  • Use flares, cones or warning triangles if you have them to keep others safe
• Call for help
  • Call the police
  • Check for injuries and call for an ambulance if in doubt of severity
• Record the accident
  • Exchange information with others involved
  • Take pictures if you have a camera available
  • Contact your insurance company

Remember, in Minnesota, you have just 10 days to report an incident.  

Next Steps

Once you are safe, it’s important to take care of you. Because of the shock of the accident, you may not realize you are injured. This is the reason you need to have an exam to rule out any serious injuries. It is best to this as soon as possible. If your injuries are not tended to early, they may worsen, and lead to a more serious situation.

Remember to:

• Get an examination as soon as possible
• Ice any soreness you are feeling
• Take it easy
  • Do not exert yourself until you’ve been cleared by your doctor

Feeling neck pain? Don’t ignore it. We have more information on how chiropractic care can help.

The most common car accident injury is whiplash. It can happen when you are stopped and your car is hit lightly. So, don’t think these symptoms will go away.

Checklist of Possible Whiplash Systems:

• Headache
• Stiffness
• Shoulder or back pain
• Dizziness
• Burning or prickling
• Hoarseness
• Problems chewing and swallowing

The key to a quick recovery after an auto accident is to seek help and pay attention to what your body is telling you. With professional help, you can start healing faster.

If you have questions, give Skyline Chiropractic a call. We are here to help.

Photo by takahiro taguchi on Unsplash