Recovering From A Road Traffic Accident: Things To Know

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There is a high chance you will become involved in a road traffic accident at some point in your life. Here is what to do if you encounter an RTA in Arizona and the US.

Road Traffic Accidents (or RTAs) are a daily occurrence in life. In Arizona alone there are 85 crashes on the roads every day, with a similar story in other states and countries around the world. Since you have a chance of being involved in one of those crashes, familiarising yourself with the things you should know and do after your accident is important. 

Traffic Accidents Are On The Rise

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or the NHTSA, there were an estimated 42, 725 fatalities reported on the roads of the US in 2021. Estimates for 2022 see an increase in this number to 42,939. Of this number, over a thousand deaths were reported in Arizona alone. This is a slight increase on the previous year’s statistics by 11.95%.

These concerning statistics are made scarier by the fact that an RTA could happen to anyone using the road, at any time. It does not matter if you have a month of driving experience or ten years at the wheel, an accident could occur while you are using the road. The National Safety Council puts the cost of each fatal accident at over $10,000,000 per case. This cost includes damage to the street furniture, compensation pay outs, property damage, pain, and suffering costs, missed work or loss of future earnings, and so on.

If your family or you do not claim for compensation after the accident, you will face the medical bills alone. If the person responsible for your accident is not brought to justice, they may well repeat this on another victim. These are good reasons to seek compensation after you are injured in a road traffic accident. Hiring an experienced Tucson injury lawyers to claim compensation after your RTA injury is the best way to achieve the maximum compensation amount that you deserve. However, it is difficult to claim compensation if you do not effectively document your recovery.

How To Effectively Document Your Recovery After An RTA

Making sure every detail of your accident and recovery time is recorded properly will seriously help your case. If you write everything down and keep all your receipts for travelling or paying bills, this helps you keep track of your documentation. Proper documentation ensures the full extent of your pain and suffering is recorded. It also builds your case, strengthening your claim. 

You can document your recovery from an RTA by doing the following things:

  1. Keep a journal dedicated to your recovery. Include the dates, times, and medical practitioners you see. Keep your prescriptions and your receipts inside it. Talk about how your injuries impact your daily life as you deal with each day of recovery. Remember to note how much money you miss out on by not being at work that day. 
  2. Photograph the progression of healing wounds. Make sure you have images of the wounds immediately after your accident. 
  3. Pictures or videos of the area the accident occurred will help. You may wish to revisit the scene and talk to witnesses.
  4. Request a copy of your medical records from your healthcare providers to keep with your paperwork. You may also request a copy of your statement from the police.
  5. Ensure you contact a lawyer to take charge of your Arizona personal injury case.

Why Effective Documentation Is Vital After An RTA

Documenting your recovery after the accident is vital to show the insurance company, judge, or courtroom, how the accident affected your life. You should do this even if you are partially at fault. When you initially file a personal injury claim, the burden of proof is on you. You must prove that the third party caused your accident. To do this, you must first prove they have a duty of care to you, and then that they broke that duty of care. You must thirdly prove that you suffered damages as a result. Effective documentation allows you to do this without extra strain to yourself. 

Other Things To Consider When Recovering From A Road Traffic Accident

Most importantly, this has been a traumatic experience for you. Recovering well and staying healthy should be of upmost importance to you. Focus on your recovery and hire a personal injury solicitor to work in the background, on your behalf. Recovery is frustrating, but you can get through it with perseverance and financial support. 

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