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If a negligent or reckless St. Louis driver hits you, you may have the right to hold them financially accountable for any resulting injuries and losses. Taking specific steps and knowing what to do after an accident that is not your fault can protect your right to seek compensation and help you maximize your financial recovery.
Taking immediate action after a car accident that is not your fault can protect your rights and maximize financial recovery. Early steps toward physical recovery help gather evidence and build a strong legal case. Documenting injuries right after the crash can link them to the accident, countering insurer claims of pre-existing conditions. Prompt action also ensures timely filing of insurance claims or lawsuits and meeting important deadlines.
If you were involved in a car accident caused by another that is not your fault, here are the critical steps you should take following the crash:
Always contact law enforcement at the scene of a car accident. Call 911 if someone requires medical attention, or call the law enforcement department’s non-emergency number if no one requires immediate assistance. When officers respond to the accident scene, they will write a police report. Remember to obtain a copy of this report after the accident, as the insurance company will want to review it, and your attorney will use it to build your case.
Take photos or videos of the accident scene, ideally immediately after the crash. Document critical details such as vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic signals and signs, visual obstructions, and weather, lighting, and road conditions. Photograph any visible injuries you suffered.
Remember to gather information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident, like their contact and insurance information. Finally, talk to eyewitnesses at the crash to get their contact information and, if possible, a brief statement of what they saw.
You should always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. Even if you decline medical attention at the accident scene, you should go to the hospital or your doctor’s office as soon as possible, regardless of whether you feel pain or other symptoms of injuries. The shock of a car accident can cause an adrenaline rush that masks symptoms of injuries for hours or days after the accident. However, doctors can identify many car accident injuries through a physical exam.
Getting a prompt diagnosis can help create a link between the accident and your injuries. If you defer medical attention, you might give the insurance company grounds to argue that your claimed injuries had another cause, such as another accident or natural degenerative changes. Finally, remember to request copies of the medical records of any treatment or rehabilitative care you receive.
Although you may want to inform family members and friends about the car accident, you should refrain from discussing the crash, your injuries, or your subsequent insurance or legal claims on social media. By posting about the accident, you risk making written statements contradicting your insurance claim or car accident lawsuit allegations.
Furthermore, you should avoid posting photos or videos of yourself on social media while undergoing care or while under medical restrictions due to injuries. Insurance companies sometimes monitor accident victims’ social media profiles for posts showing them undertaking physical or recreational activities inconsistent with their claimed injury limitations. As a result, posting on social media risks jeopardizing the credibility of your car accident claim.
Remember to keep all bills, invoices, or receipts for expenses you incur after a car accident, including medical bills and vehicle repairs. Gather your pay stubs or income statements as proof of any changes in your income following the accident. This could happen if you need to take time off work to recover from your injuries.
Keep copies of all correspondence from insurance companies. Take notes of phone calls with insurance company representatives. Document when the call occurs, who is speaking, and of what you discussed.
Remember to notify your auto insurance provider about the accident immediately. Your policy may require you to notify your insurer within a specific time after a motor vehicle accident. When contacting your insurer, confirm the coverage you have in your auto insurance policy. You may have optional coverages you can use to recover compensation for your accident losses. One example is collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
When speaking with insurers, decline to sign a medical release or give a recorded or written statement until you’ve spoken to a St. Louis car accident attorney. Insurers request a medical release to search your history for other causes of your injuries instead of the car accident. Insurers can take words from a statement out of context to undermine the strength of your accident claim.
Finally, remember to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Learn more about your legal rights and options for recovering compensation for your expenses and losses. A car accident attorney can review the facts of your case to evaluate whether you have viable legal claims. Additionally, they document your injuries and losses and handle the process of pursuing the financial relief you need and deserve. They can also manage communications with insurers and other third parties.
Contact Goldblatt + Singer online or by calling (314) 231-4100 today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident attorney to learn how our firm can help you and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve following a car accident that wasn’t your fault. Together with other notable cases, our team of attorneys is eager to help you with your case.