How To Survive After A Car Accident
A car accident is one of the most dangerous things the average person will come in contact with during his life. This guide is posted in the hope that it will help our readers avoid injury or death after a car accident took place.
Immediately after a crash
If you’re in a badly crumpled car the 1st thing you need to do is to check that you are indeed okay. You may have suffered a neck injury or something else may be broken that you won't even notice because of the adrenaline in your blood that deadens pain. If you suspect that you or anyone else in the vehicle has a serious injury, don’t allow anyone but a paramedic to move them, unless of course the car is on fire or something even worse could happen.
— If you are hanging from a seat-belt upside down, be very careful when you un-clip yourself as you may land on your head and injure your neck. The procedure is as follows: put one hand on the ceiling (which is now on the floor and push up to take the weight of the belt. Turn your head to one side and with your other hand, release your seat-belt clip.
— Try to open the door. If the door won't open, try breaking the window with a heavy object. Remember that other doors may have less damage than the one that is nearest to you.
— Check and see if there is anyone else you can assist (you are actually required by law to do this). If the vehicle is still on, turn it off and remove the keys from the ignition!
Related: 10 People Died As Truck Crashed Into Market
So you're out. Now what?
Okay, so you’ve escaped the smoking wreck. The thing not to do is jump back in to retrieve any valuables at this stage. Make sure the vehicle is safe before going anywhere near it. You may want to consider keeping a fire extinguisher in your vehicle – which can also be used to smash windows. This may seem like complete crazy-talk, but you never know when something like this will happen to you!
So what you want to do is to wave someone down. It’s very likely that people will stop. In my case, many people stopped to help. You may need to seek medical attention. If you do, then ask someone to call an ambulance or give you a lift to a hospital. This is the only good reason to leave the scene of the accident. If you are not injured, you must stay and call the police.
Related: Read What Happens To Three Children On Their Way To School In Lagos
Reporting the accident
You need to call the local police authorities who will meet you at the scene and take down your details. In minor fender-benders with no injuries, you may want to move the vehicles out of the line of traffic after taking pictures of the vehicles positions. If someone has been seriously injured or killed, you may not under any circumstances move the vehicles involved as this would be considered tampering with evidence.
The car can be replaced or repaired but you are not replaceable so make sure you always drive with caution, keep your distance from other vehicles, don’t speed and wear your seatbelt. Have a safe trip!
Related: FUNAAB Students Grieving After 400L Student Died In Car Crash
Source: Legit.ng
