Five important steps to protect your health, safety, and legal rights immediately after a collision.
Published September 2024
Being involved in a car accident is stressful and disorienting. The actions you take in the minutes and hours that follow can significantly affect both your physical recovery and any future claim. Here are five critical steps every Missouri driver should know.
Move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the vehicles are blocking traffic. Even if injuries seem minor, requesting a police report creates an official record that can be valuable later.
Take photos of vehicle damage, the positions of the cars, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number. Note any witnesses and their contact information.
Adrenaline can mask pain. Some injuries — especially soft-tissue and concussion-related — may not appear for hours or days. See a doctor even if you feel “okay.” Medical records are essential evidence if you later pursue a personal injury claim.
Report the accident to your own insurer according to your policy. Be factual and concise. Avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.
Insurance companies begin building their case quickly. An experienced Missouri personal injury attorney can protect you from lowball offers, handle communications, and help you understand the full value of your claim — including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our firm has decades of experience representing accident victims throughout the Lake of the Ozarks region. We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Schedule a free consultation or call 417-532-2191 to discuss your situation.
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