We often hear of accidents happening all around but never think much of it until it happens to us or someone we love deeply. It’s an even more terrible feeling when you lose a loved one in a car accident. Your entire world ceases for just a moment and then you remember you have to be alone in this world without them. The truth? It sucks so bad and you’re probably wondering what to do next and how to get through this difficult time. But, you can get through it. The following article will help answer these questions and more.
Take a Moment To Grief
You may not want to read on anymore. You might be thinking it’s going to be a depressing article and you don’t need it in your life right now. But, take a moment to grieve, because that is okay. In fact, it is very okay. Don’t just push the thoughts of your loved one away because it is too painful. Find a way to express that pain, whether that is talking to friends and family, writing in a journal, or seeking professional help. You need to work through the grieving process before you can start to heal.
Contact an Attorney
It is also important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. They can help you through the legal proceedings and may be able to get you some much-needed financial assistance. A Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyer can help you through the entire process as it can be a confusing and frustrating time. There are usually various legal processes to follow and it’s nice to have someone by your side through the entire ordeal. Legal representation is not something to be taken lightly, as an attorney can guide you through the process and help ease your stress.
Get The Facts
The next thing you want to do is get the facts straight. You need to know what happened and how it happened. This is not only for your own closure but also for any legal proceedings that may come about. If you’re unsure of where to start, the police department or the hospital are both great places to begin.
Getting facts also includes gathering every information possible about the incident. This includes pictures of the accident scene, contact information for witnesses, and more. These data should not be taken lightly as it is important.
Call Up The Insurance Company
The next task at hand is contacting the insurance company. This can be a difficult conversation, but it is one that must happen. You will need to provide them with all the information about the accident and your loved one. They will be able to provide you with further information as necessary. Then, they can get started on your compensation claims if any are available for the accident. They will also want to know what kind of policy the deceased had. It is important to have all of this information ready when you call them so there is no confusion.
Contact Your Loved One’s Employer
It’s important to contact one’s employer to let them know what has happened. This may not be an easy conversation, but it is one that must happen. Employers can also provide you with further information as necessary and will likely let their employees know about the accident to ensure they are doing okay.
Also, meeting them would let you know if there is compensation to be claimed and what process should be followed to secure their retirement money. They might also be able to assist with the expenses of the funeral.
Join a Support Group
If you don’t feel like talking to anyone, or if you want to talk to more people about your loved one, joining a support group might be the best decision for you. This is a great way to connect with others who have gone through the same thing as you. It can be tough to go through this process alone, especially if you are grieving. Joining a group helps take the burden off of your shoulders and also gives you insight into what other people are going through too. You may not want to talk about it with others, but joining a support group is one of the best ways to get over this difficult time. It can also provide some valuable resources and be a great way to vent your feelings.
As you can see, there are many different things that need to be done following a tragedy like this. Understanding the steps and what needs to be taken care of will make the whole ordeal easier for you and your family. Take everything slowly and heal properly, because it takes time.
