Last year in the United States, railroad accidents resulted in 937 deaths and over 7,500 non-fatal injuries. But even a non-fatal injury can be life-changing.
Railroad injuries may impact your ability to work, your quality of life, and your emotional or mental well-being. This is why it’s important to get the proper support after a railroad accident.
Getting the right support could also help you get compensation for your injuries. Want to know more? Then you’re in the right place!
Read on to find out the seven important steps you should take after a train accident to support your physical and financial recovery.
Seek Medical Assitance
Your physical safety is the most important thing after a railroad accident, so make sure you get proper medical attention.
You should do this even if you feel fine. Often, the shock of an accident can mask important symptoms, and some injuries take longer to present themselves.
After an accident, get a friend or family member to take you to your nearest emergency room for an assessment by a professional. If you get any new symptoms a while after your accident, it’s also worth getting these checked out as soon as possible. Your initial examination may have missed something and it doesn’t hurt to get checked again.
Some railroad injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, affect your mental health instead. They can also take a while to present themselves. So keep an eye out for symptoms of these and get in touch with a professional if you are struggling.
Document Your Accident
During train line and railroad crossing accidents, you’d be hard-pressed to document what is happening. However, after the accident, it’s important to collect as much information about what happened as possible. This will help you to make a compensation claim.
Information about an accident may include:
Pictures or video footage of the accident
Pictures of your injuries
Police reports
Doctors’ reports
It’s important to note that collecting this information may be stressful or traumatic. Because of this, always get a friend or family member to help you research your accident. That way, they can review triggering material before you see it.
Keep Your Medical Records Up to Date
In the months or even years after an accident, it’s important to keep your medical documents up to date.
After your assessment, make sure to get a copy of your medical notes from your doctor. These should include:
Their diagnosis
Any pictures, scans, or X-rays taken
Their recommended treatment plan
Any test results you receive
You can also take pictures of your own to support these reports.
Keeping your records up to date is very important, so add in any new reports, treatment plans, or test results. If you attend physical therapy sessions, you should include information about these in your medical records.
Keep a Record of Your Expenses
Recovering from a railroad accident can be an expensive business. You may run up medical bills for your treatments or have to take time off work. When these two things coincide, your personal finances can take a big hit.
This is why it’s important to keep a note of any expenses relating to your accident. Where possible, hold onto any receipts, bank statements, or bills. You can use these to determine how much compensation you are owed.
Get in Touch With Your Work
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may have to take time off work. If so, your doctor should give you a medical note to sign you off while you recover.
Even if this isn’t the case, it’s worth letting your employer know that you have sustained a personal injury.
This means they’ll be able to adjust any health and safety measures necessary while you’re recovering at work. If any new symptoms do present themselves while you’re working, they’ll also be able to understand these better. Giving them the full picture of your injuries will keep both of you safe and happy.
Reach Out for Help
Whether you’re recovering from a train accident or an auto accident, this can be an extremely challenging time. You may find yourself feeling stressed or anxious. Or your physical injuries may make daily life more difficult than normal.
This is why it’s important to reach out to your family and friends for help while you recover. Getting a hand with your groceries or just having friendly company for an afternoon can make the world of difference. So don’t suffer in silence!
It’s also worth looking into local programs to support railroad accident survivors. Community initiatives may be in place to help you travel around or you might find an emotional support group. These can all be great ways of stopping you from feeling isolated during your recovery.
Contact a Railroad Accident Attorney
If you want compensation for your accident, getting in touch with a railroad accident lawyer is an absolute must. These experts will be able to review your case in no time at all and will make sure you get a decent settlement.
They will work to identify any liable parties in your accident. These could include anyone from the train driver to the track manufacturers. Once they have determined liability, they’ll use the facts of your case to get you compensation!
This can really help to relieve some of the financial burdens during your recovery.
Don’t Wait Around After Your Railroad Accident!
Recovering from a railroad accident can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so don’t try to do it alone. Getting the proper help – whether it’s medical, legal, or just from a family friend – can make the world of difference!
For more great advice on finding the right support in your life, keep scrolling!