Have You Recently Been Involved in a Car Accident in O’Fallon?
In and around O’Fallon, vehicle collisions happen every day. If you have been involved or injured in an accident, you might wonder what will happen next. If you’re trying to figure out which next steps you need to take, please call for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys who can help guide you and help you get all the compensation you deserve so that you can return to your normal life as soon as possible.
What to do Immediately After the Accident
At the scene of the accident, you should be prepared to take action. First and foremost, you need to get yourself to safety, out of the way of traffic and any other dangers likely to come your way. If you are able, you should move your vehicle to the right side of the road, and then remain in your vehicle until you’re instructed or feel the need to do otherwise (for example, if you’ve been injured and emergency medical personnel arrive on scene). If you’re unable to move your car out of the way of traffic, you should find a different spot where you’ll be kept free from harm.
If you have been injured or you know that someone else has been injured as a result of the accident, you should call 911. When you talk to the emergency dispatcher that answers, remain calm, but provide them all of the necessary details, including your information (i.e., name, address, and phone number), the nature and location of the accident, and any other important details.
Gather All the Information You Can Get
The next step, while you remain at the scene (never leave the scene of the crash until you’re directed to do so), is to gather as much information as possible.
- Ask for the other driver or drivers’ information, including their contact (i.e., name, address, phone number, and email), car insurance information (agency and policy number), and car description (make, model, year, and color). Some car insurance companies provide their customers generic forms to keep in their cars in the event of an accident; these can prove very helpful as you may be in shock and the scene gets hectic.
- In obtaining other drivers’ information, be careful about what you say and how you say it; if you apologize, for example, a jury might use that as evidence that you accepted responsibility for the accident at the scene.
- Take pictures of the scene as well as any injuries and damages incurred. Although it would be nice to assume that everyone is honest, people sometimes claim existing personal injuries or vehicular damage were caused by an accident when in fact they weren’t. Sometimes law enforcement takes pictures, but sometimes it’s not exactly what’s needed; if there are more pictures, that might help.
- If law enforcement officers arrive at the scene to make a report of the accident, make sure to get their contact information (name, phone number, and badge number) as well as the number of the report they’ll be writing. This will make it a lot easier for you to get a copy of the report, which you and your attorney will need when preparing your case.
What Happens Next?
After you wrap everything up at the scene, do you know what steps you’ll need to take next? You’ll need to call your insurance agency to report the accident and give them all the information you have about the accident and those involved in it. If you’re considering hiring an attorney, the sooner you do so, the better; an attorney can deal with the insurance agency and adjuster, file all the necessary legal paperwork, and start to prepare your case for court.
Filing a Claim for Compensation in Missouri
If you want to file a claim for compensation, you should keep the following things in mind:
- Some injuries may take an extended time to heal – or may never heal. If you’ve suffered spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, for example, your life may never be the same. Your ability to work could diminish, resulting in an inability to work to your previous standard; in turn, that will greatly impact your lifestyle. If that’s your situation, you may be eligible to request compensation for current and expected future earnings, as well as pain and suffering. Make sure to document everything from how you felt to the different doctors you saw, and what you paid for the medications you needed.
- The injuries you sustained in the accident may affect more than just your physical wellbeing; you may start suffering from anxiety, depression, or PTSD; as a result, you may need therapy for weeks, months, or years.
- Medical bills can add up quickly – consider copays, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation costs that you might need, and the financial implications of a car accident has the potential to drown you.
- If your car was damaged in the accident, you should have taken plenty of pictures at the scene. Assuming another driver was at fault, you should be able to get compensated for the repair or replacement (if it was totaled) of your vehicle.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Each car accident case is as unique as the individuals involved in it, so in order to get a better picture of what might be entailed in your case, and what kind of compensation you may be entitled to, call today to speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. The consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to hire one of our attorneys, so you have nothing to lose. Call today.