Of the six million car accidents that occur annually in the United States, two million result in an injury. This makes knowing what to do after you get into a car accident extremely important, since chances are high that it will happen to you. This five-step guide provides you with an easy list of things to do if this happens to you.
1. Secure your passengers and property.
First and foremost, do not leave the scene of the accident until you have spoken with the other driver, exchanged information, and called 911. Immediately following the accident, assess yourself and your passengers for any injuries or obvious wounds. If someone is severely wounded or unconscious and requires emergency services, call 911 immediately, or ask a bystander to do it.
Generally, you should leave your car in the position it was in during the accident until the police arrive. Of course, this is not always a safe option, especially in high-traffic areas. However, if you are in an unsafe location and your car will start and move, pull onto the shoulder to get out of the way. If your car will not start, leave it where it is, and remove yourself to the shoulder or a sidewalk to wait. Regardless of where you put your car, you should turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the accident.
2. Alert the appropriate authorities.
No matter how minor the accident, alert the police right away. When they arrive, they will document the facts of the scene and probably ask a few questions of those involved. Remember to state only the facts, and do not admit responsibility for what happened. The police report may be used by an insurance adjuster to determine fault or if you eventually file a claim for an accident-related injury.
If the police cannot respond to the accident, go to the police department in the next few days. Furthermore, you must report car accidents in Missouri to the Missouri Department of Revenue within 30 days of the accident. Moreover, for a car wreck Missouri, the report should reflect if the accident involved:
- Injuries, fatalities, or damages to property greater than $500
- A parked car leading to injury, fatality, or damage to property greater than $500
- An uninsured driver
3. Document all relevant information.
Regardless of whether or not the police can come to the site, take pictures of any injuries or damage to your vehicle. If you cannot take pictures right then, do it as soon as possible. Consider making a list of any injuries or damage you notice to take photographic evidence of later.
Exchange information with the other driver. The most important pieces of information include the:
- Names, phone numbers, and addresses
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Description of the car (make, model, year, and color)
- Driver’s license number, license plate number, and registration information
- Accident description
Make sure to write down the badge number and contact information of the officer(s) who attend the scene. Later, go to the police station for a copy of the police report.
4. Get a medical exam.
Even if you do not need the emergency room, knowing what to do after a car accident, injury or not, still involves heading to your doctor or a walk-in clinic within a couple of days. This is a good way to make sure nothing serious has happened internally, and it provides documentation if you later decide to file a car accident injury lawsuit.
If you are curious whether or not health insurance covers car accident injuries, the answer is yes — sort of. Generally, your health insurance will cover any doctor bills resulting from car accident injuries, but they may not ultimately be responsible for them. Some insurance plans also pay for a limited number of services or will have a cap on the amount of money they will spend each year. Some car insurance policies have additional funds planned for managing medical bills. On the other hand, some do not. This can lead to some serious money. Getting your car insurance company to pay can be difficult, as can getting the other party’s insurance to take responsibility.
5. Meet with a car accident injury attorney.
A car accident injury attorney can help navigate insurance companies, do the legwork to prove responsibility, and help you determine how much your injuries may be worth. They can also answer every legal question you have about the situation, including questions about how long after a car accident can you claim injury or even about how much your injury is worth.
Contact
If you have been injured in a car wreck in Missouri, then call Missouri Injury Institute today at (866) 986-1395, or get a free case review. Let us work for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
