What To Do After An Accident

Adrenaline is rushing through your body, and you may feel like you are in shock. You likely do not have all the facts about what caused the accident or how badly you or anyone else is injured. It’s okay to take a breath, collect your thoughts, and assess the situation before talking to anyone about what happened.

In many cases, especially after a car accident, the at-fault party might try to convince you not to call 911 and involve the police, but personal injury lawyers will be the first to tell you that this is an essential step for a number of reasons.

Most importantly, you may not even realize that you have suffered injuries, or it may not register that what seems minor is actually one or more serious injuries. The EMTs will attend to your injuries and help you understand what steps to take next.

Additionally, having a Kansas City police officer at the scene will hold the negligent party accountable because they will complete an accident report with a number of relevant details. Police may even issue the negligent party a ticket, and police will undoubtedly ask the negligent party for proof of insurance, which could help your lawyers immensely. There is nothing worse than reaching out to the insurance company to open a claim only to discover that the at-fault party denies the basic facts, which is much easier to do if there is no official report.

Calling 911 will ensure that your physical injuries will be reviewed by the EMTs. Many people deny care at the scene because they are worried about the cost of medical care, but working with high-quality legal representatives after the fact will give you the support you need to recover compensation for the many damages you have suffered.

If the EMTs recommend that you take an ambulance to the emergency room, it is in your best interest to do so to get the appropriate care for any serious injury. If doctors recommend treatment or follow-up medical care, follow their instructions carefully.

In most cases, if you were hit by another driver, they will be required to have car insurance. After an accident, it is important to exchange information with the other party so that their insurance company can be involved.

Never let the at-fault driver convince you not to involve their insurance company. If they do not have insurance, or if their policy limits are too low to cover the damages you suffered, working with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your other legal options for pursuing compensation.

Additionally, having a Kansas City police officer at the scene will hold the negligent party accountable because they will complete an accident report with a number of relevant details. Police may even issue the negligent party a ticket, and police will undoubtedly ask the negligent party for proof of insurance, which could help your lawyers immensely. There is nothing worse than reaching out to the insurance company to open a claim only to discover that the at-fault party denies the basic facts, which is much easier to do if there is no official report.

If you are physically able, it is helpful to take pictures of the accident scene before anything is moved. This will give your personal injury lawyer a clear idea of what happened and how the accident occurred.

In many cases, there will be skid marks on the road, debris from the accident, or other important details that can help to piece together what happened.

If you cannot document the scene yourself, ask a friend or family member to do so on your behalf. You can even ask police to do it for you and police may be very helpful in this way.

If anyone saw the accident, it is important to get their contact information so they can be called as a witness later. If someone else saw the accident, it is likely that they saw events leading up to the accident that you did not, which will provide further insight and perspective into the cause of the accident and will further establish the matter of fault.

A personal injury lawyer will use witness testimony to help prove your case and secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.

As soon as the at-fault driver’s insurance company becomes aware of the accident, they will likely contact you to try and get you to give a recorded statement.

You mustn’t provide a recorded statement without first speaking to a personal injury lawyer. The insurance company will use anything you say against you to devalue or deny your claim, and they are not looking out for your best interests: they are looking out for the interests of their insured.

DO NOT TALK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE. INSTEAD, CALL US.

After you have been involved in an accident, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to get started on your personal injury case. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and help you navigate the complex legal process so you can focus on your physical recovery.

A personal injury lawyer will also handle all communication with the insurance companies and help you understand your legal options to make the best possible decisions for your future.