Any situation that puts your child in danger is a parent’s worst nightmare. However, while you will do anything to keep them out of harm’s way, the truth is that accidents do happen – and knowing what to do in an emergency is often just as (if not more) useful than knowing how to prevent them.
With that in mind, here are some useful tips you can use to deal with the aftermath of a car accident as a parent.
Car Accident – Immediately After the Accident:
- Find a safe space to pull over. Switch off your engine, turn on your hazard lights, and if safe to do so, get out of the vehicle.
- Keep your cool. Experiencing any kind of emergency situation can be stressful, but if your kids are present, they’ll automatically look to you for a sense of comfort and stability. The calmer you appear, the easier it will be for them to regulate their emotions and keep their cool.
- Check for injuries. Check yourself, your children and any other involved parties for any obvious signs of injury. If necessary, perform basic first-aid tasks.
- Call for help. If anybody in your party is injured, or the incident is severe, you should call for help as soon as possible. In both cases, you will likely need the assistance of both the police and ambulance team. Provide them with a clear description of your location and any injuries.
- Gather evidence. You should also take the time after the car accident to gather evidence for your insurance compensation process. For example, you should swap contact details with the other driver(s), and take photographs at the scene. Do not assume guilt or responsibility at this time – culpability is decided by insurance providers and apologizing unnecessarily may mean that you cannot get access to the support you need.
In the Days After the Car Accident.
- Focus on your recovery. Trying to go back to normal too soon will only heighten the severity of your injuries, turning an acute condition into a chronic one with long-lasting side effects. Follow all medical advice and get plenty of rest.
- Take legal action. Once you’ve got your recovery on track, it’s crucial that you seek out legal support. After all, you may now be facing a range of unexpected expenses, such as medical bills – or dealing with a loss of income as you’re forced to take unpaid time off work. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for this.
- Talk about what happened. Car accidents can have an impact on both your physical and mental well-being, so it is important you talk about what happened (and how you are feeling) with your children. This will help them to process what happened in a healthy way, as opposed to bottling up their emotions. It will also make clear the importance of caring for their mental health in any situation, by showing them that it’s okay to be sad, scared or anxious. If necessary, you may want to encourage them to speak to a therapist who can provide more comprehensive support – or even reach out to one yourself.
Featured image from Netto Figueiredo from Pixabay
0 Comments