It can be imperative for involved drivers and passengers to seek medical care after sustaining any injuries in an accident. You may feel hesitant to see a doctor when you feel fine after the incident, but each state follows specific guidelines when approaching these injuries and categorizing them appropriately.
State authorities use varying ways to classify them, which can help them organize information about the crash and assist injured parties adequately. California has a specific method to process accidents and aid victims using the following categories:
- Complaint of Pain — This applies to injuries that are not visible through visual observation but determined through other symptoms exhibited by the victim, such as becoming unconscious, limping and communicating incoherently.
- Visible injury — Most bruises and scrapes, as well as apparent swelling or minor wounds, fall under this classification.
- Severe injury — This category applies to broken bones, serious wounds, extended unconsciousness and other non-fatal physical harm.
- Fatal injury — If the victim dies right after the collision, the injuries they sustained resulting in the death fall under this category. It can also be relevant for an unborn fetus if the mother miscarried because of the collision.
This classification system could be vital for involved drivers, passengers and authorities. Using this strategy, the people providing aid can record details accurately and prioritize effectively based on the situation’s severity.
Knowing what to do after a collision
The scene immediately after a crash can be chaotic and confusing, possibly risking the lives of injured victims if they do not receive medical attention in time. Understanding and knowing what to do in these situations could be critical, especially if you can aid others. Later, you could also consider seeking legal advice if someone’s negligence caused the accident. Experienced guidance can help you determine your options for pursuing compensation and justice for any damages.