I handle car crash cases everyday and so I know that everyone responds differently in times of crisis. However, there are certain things that you should really try to remember to do if you are ever unfortunate enough to be in an accident.
First, try to stay calm. It is very easy to quickly feel overwhelmed following impact but it is important that you stay focused so that you do not go into shock. If you are able, call 911 to report the accident. If you are seriously injured, it is best that you don’t move and just wait for help. When the police arrive, be sure to tell them what happened. Don’t ever leave the scene of an accident without calling and speaking to the police. I oftentimes hear clients tell me that they didn’t call the police because the other driver asked that they just deal with it privately so that his/her insurance rates don’t go up. Even if you think there is no damage and no injuries, it is allways best to report the accident. You never know if you will be hurting later that day and by that time, your case is compromised without an accident report.
If you are injured, even a little bit, seek medical attention. Insurance companies would love to tell the jury that you told the EMS that you weren’t hurt. For your health and safety and for the good of your case, it is important to report injuries as soon as you are aware of them. Take photographs of the damage to your car if you are able to do so. You may want to also photograph the scene (debris, skid marks, downed stop sign) in case the roadway changes. If it happens to rain following the accident, you may lose the ability to come back and photograph skid marks on the road surface. Also, if there is a delay in documenting marks on the roadway, the insurance company will most certainly argue that the skid marks did not exist until after the accident. Early documentation of roadway conditions can be extremely helpful.
Of course, it is important to notify your own insurance company, even if you weren’t at fault. In Missouri, it is not lawful for an insurance company to raise your insurance rates for a no-fault accident. In other words, you shouldn’t be concerned that by reporting an accident that was not caused by you, that your rates will rise. It is important to report the claim early so that you are in compliance with your insurance company and also so that the carrier has notice of a potential underinsurance or uninsurance claim. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, be sure to follow up with your health care professionals concerning your injuries.