Being in a serious crash can be shocking and terrifying. One moment, you’re driving down I-65, the radio is playing, and you’re thinking about what’s going on that day. Then another vehicle appears out of nowhere, there’s a deafening crunching sound, and your vehicle starts spinning. You may be in pain, or you may be numb with shock.
If you were hurt in a crash on Interstate 65 in Hardin County, Kentucky, you do not have to deal with this alone. You can take steps to protect yourself and your family. After the dust settles, call Tyler Fleck to discuss your legal rights and possible compensation for your injuries. Call him at (270) 446-7000 today to schedule a free consultation.
What Should I Do Right After the I-65 Crash?
What you should do depends on what you can do. If you’re severely injured, that’s not much. If you can safely exit your vehicle, there are things you should do.
- Keep Your Act Together
No matter your situation, don’t panic. Keep your wits about you, and as best you can, think straight. It’s a very stressful situation, especially if you or someone else is hurt, and keeping yourself together is the most important thing to do.
Even if you believe the other driver caused the accident, do not become physical, confront, or yell at them. If so, you could make a bad situation a lot worse. You don’t want to add injuries you receive from a physical altercation with the other person to the ones you suffered in the crash.
When talking to the other driver, keep it simple, don’t blame them, exchange your license and insurance information, and don’t admit blame. If they’re freaking out and threatening you, if possible, get back in your vehicle, close the window, lock the door, call 9-1-1, and wait for the state police to arrive.
- Get Your Car Out of the Travel Lane
Secondary crashes, or those involving a vehicle from an earlier one, are very common. One federal study examined 52,000 secondary crashes that occurred in just 10 states over two years. A stopped vehicle in a highway travel lane is a dangerous situation, especially at night or if visibility is bad, and you’ve already had one accident that day.
If your vehicle is in a travel lane and you can still drive it, turn on the emergency blinkers, get it off the highway and into the breakdown lane, or further if possible. Get as far away from the vehicle as you safely can.
- You’re Conscious, But Injured and Can’t Get Out of the Vehicle
If the car is in the travel lane, drive it off the highway into the breakdown lane, turn on the emergency blinkers, and call 9-1-1. If you’re stuck in the car, it’s in the travel lane, and you can’t move it, call for help, use your emergency blinkers, and hope for the best.
- When You Should Call the State Police
If you’re in a crash on I-65, the vehicles involved were probably traveling at a high speed, so the chances that one or both vehicles will be in the travel lane and too damaged to move are pretty good. If that’s the situation, or at least one person is injured, call 9-1-1. State police need to control the scene, get the injured person into a Hardin County Emergency Medical Services ambulance, and direct traffic to prevent another crash (local police normally won’t handle highway accidents unless there are serious injuries).
You may be injured without realizing it. The crash may be so traumatic that your body’s in a state of shock and you’re numb to your injuries. If you, or someone else, is clearly injured, call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance. If you don’t feel right and aren’t comfortable with driving away (assuming your vehicle still functions), call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance.
If the damage is minor (like a low-speed rear-end during a traffic jam) and no one appears to be hurt, you need not call the police. Take photos of the damage and situation, and exchange information with the other driver.
If you feel OK and drive away, see a medical professional as soon as possible. They may find an injury that you’re unaware of, and this will start the process of creating evidence to support your insurance claim or lawsuit. The longer you wait to get medical attention, and an injury is discovered, the more likely the insurance company will claim it wasn’t caused by the accident, and you’re trying to defraud them.
- Document, Document, Document
If you’re injured but able to safely get around, take photos of the damaged vehicles and the surrounding areas. If the highway was covered with rain, snow, or ice, take photos of that. If heavy traffic played a role, take a photo of the vehicles passing by.
If you think the other driver was intoxicated or impaired by drugs or alcohol, take a video of their behavior and tell the trooper reporting to the scene. Video of the driver slurring their speech or staggering around could be very helpful to your case.
Speak with an Elizabethtown Car Accident Attorney Today
After your injuries are treated, contact The Fleck Firm at (270) 446-7000 and schedule your free consultation so we can discuss your accident, how Kentucky law may apply, and your best options moving forward. The earlier we get involved, the sooner our investigation can start, and we will deal with the insurance companies so you won’t have to. They have lawyers. You should have one, too.
