Don’t bother with that lucky rabbit’s foot. It was obviously not a very lucky rabbit. You don’t want its luck visited on you. We also have to acknowledge that once the accident has occurred, there is very little you can do to improve survivability. That is not to say there is nothing you can do. But at that point, the damage has already been done.
We could advise you not to panic. But that is not very helpful advice since panic is a mostly autonomic response to crisis. You either panic or you don’t. No one in the grips of panic and shock decides that panic is the best course of action. Even so, remaining calm will allow you to think more clearly. That is often the difference between life and death when things go sideways.
Survival is not just about remaining alive. The vast majority of people in accidents remain alive after the fact. But how they precede could determine what kind of life they have. With that in mind, let’s start with the most basic form of survival:
Financial Survival
If the accident is severe, your car is toast. Forget about it. No body shop will sign off on repairs to a car deemed by the insurance company to be totaled. If you don’t have the right insurance, or if your insurance has lapsed, you are still on the hook for making payments for a car you no longer have, as well as a new car to replace the one you lost. Financially, that is a tough road to travel.
However, if your car can be salvaged, you can take it to an LA collision repair shop and get back in the game. Your insurance will help you financially survive. The main thing you can do to ensure that outcome is to maintain excellent auto insurance that covers more than the basics. Health insurance is also a part of the survival equation. Driving without health insurance leaves you vulnerable to the fate of physically surviving, but being crushed by medical bills. Ensure your financial survivability before you hit the road.
See a Doctor Even If You Feel Fine
Just recently, there was a rollover crash in Newhall that resulted in no injuries. The most concerning part of the story is the crash survivors did not transport to the hospital. No injuries were reported.
Car crash injuries such as whiplash and concussion are not always readily apparent to the sufferer. They say they feel fine and are convinced that everything is okay. What they don’t account for is how much adrenaline is pumping through their veins that could be masking pain signals. A person suffering from concussion has literal brain damage. They have no idea whether or not they are injured.
The Mayo Clinic list signs of concussion that include the following:
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
- A headache that gets worse over time
- Fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears
- Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
- Ringing in the ears that doesn’t go away
Walking away from an accident does not mean that there is nothing wrong. Neck and spine injuries can be detected by a doctor. It might take a while before the pain signals come to the forefront. You could do a lot of unnecessary damage to yourself by not following up with a doctor immediately after an accident.
Wear an Emergency Response Device
It is not enough to have a smartphone in the car. In the event of a serious accident, the phone could be lost in the aftermath. You might be trapped and unable to reach it. Or you could be completely unconscious. If you are wearing something like an Apple Watch, fall and impact notifications will automatically alert emergency services as well as the people in your emergency contact list. With such a device, you don’t have to be conscious to call for help. A speedy, emergency response can make the difference between life and death.
After an accident, it is too late to buy insurance or improve your coverage. Doing that in advance can save you financially. It is within your power to see a doctor even if you feel okay after an accident. And wearing an emergency response device can call for help even when you can’t.
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