Being involved in a car crash can be a traumatic and stressful time for everyone involved, especially if you've been injured and your vehicle has been damaged.
Even if you haven't been injured, one of the primary concerns people have after a car wreck is whether or not they can continue driving their vehicle or if it will have to be towed to an auto body shop.
Before you drive your car again, you have to be sure your car is safe to be on the road.
You may also be wondering, Should I see a doctor after a minor car accident?
If you aren't completely sure that your vehicle will get you to your destination safely, you should get it checked out.
Many cars will have external damage, but that's not always a good indicator of whether or not your car is safe to drive.
Mechanical damage that extends inward will determine whether or not your car is safe to drive in many situations.
In the article below, we will discuss whether you should drive your car after a motor vehicle accident.
Table of Contents
- What Are The Laws For Driving A Vehicle After An Accident?
- What Should You Consider About The Condition Of Your Vehicle After an Accident?
- Deciding Whether Or Not To Drive
- If You Are Injured, Seek Chiropractic Care With Advanced Injury Care
What Are The Laws For Driving A Vehicle After An Accident?
The rules for driving after an accident aren't always cut and dry.
After a car accident, you should always call the police to assist with the situation and file a police report.
The officer that responds can help assess the damage to your vehicle and let you know whether or not it meets the legal requirements to return to the road.
A good rule of thumb is to check the main safety function areas.
If you can operate your vehicle with regard to basic safety without any other major issues, there's a good chance you will meet your legal requirements.
What Should You Consider About The Condition Of Your Vehicle After an Accident?
When the dust has settled after your accident, and you're trying to determine if your vehicle is safe to drive, there are a few questions you should ask.
First, are your headlights, turn signals, and brake lights functioning properly?
This is especially important if your accident occurred at night because more than 40 percent of all fatal car accidents occur at night.
That's why it's vital to confirm that all of your lights are functioning properly so you aren't involved in another wreck.
It doesn't happen often, but you have to be sure that you aren't going to damage your vehicle further or endanger yourself and others after you leave the scene of the crash.
You also need to be sure you have full control over the ability of your vehicle to steer.
Sometimes after an accident, your car won't be able to steer adequately.
This is typically the result of faulty alignment with your wheels.
This can cause your car or truck to pull to one side or the other and cause you to swerve into oncoming traffic. Make sure you can steer your car before hitting the road.
Your hood, doors, and license plates should all be securely attached.
Ensure that the lock mechanisms throughout your car are still functioning.
The last thing you need is for a door or your hood to fly open when you're driving down the road.
And before you pull away from the scene of the accident, make sure there aren't any leaks.
You may have a coolant or antifreeze leak that could cause your engine to overheat.
A leak of brake fluid could cause brake failure and lead to a disaster.
Always err on the side of caution.
If there's any doubt at all, ask for help.
You may want to avoid the cost of a tow truck, but that saved expense will be meaningless if you cause further damage to your vehicle or injury yourself or others.
Deciding Whether or Not to Drive
Again, if you've been involved in a car accident and there is any doubt as to whether or not you should drive your vehicle before having it repaired, you need to have it towed to an auto body shop.
The safety of you and the other drivers on the road is more important than saving money on a tow bill.
In fact, many insurance companies will cover the cost of the tow.
If the other driver caused the accident, their insurance company will compensate you for the bill through a personal injury settlement.
If you decide to drive a damaged vehicle and you are involved in another accident, you may lose your right to have your damages covered by the insurance company.
If you are set to have your damages covered by a negligent driver, but you drive your car and get into another accident, the insurance company will not cover the cost.
That's why it's crucial to know insurance will cover before you run the risk of damaging your car further.
Unless you are 100% sure your car is safe, you should have it towed to an auto body shop and have it looked at by a professional.
If You Are Injured, Seek Chiropractic Care With Advanced Injury Care
If you were injured in the accident, you need to seek medical treatment before you worry about fixing your car.
No matter how bad the injuries seem, or even if you don't feel injured at all, you should see an accident chiropractor to have your injuries properly documented and diagnosed.
The expert chiropractors with Advanced Injury Care Clinic in Nashville can diagnose and treat your accident injuries.
Their chiropractic doctors have the experience and skills necessary to help you make a full physical recovery.
And if another driver's negligence caused your accident, they can refer you to an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.
Your accident lawyer can help you receive financial compensation so you can make sure your medical bills and vehicle damages are covered.
To schedule your free consultation with Advanced Injury Care, click the button below.
