Being involved in a personal injury accident can be incredibly stressful, and in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to determine the best course of action. Knowing what steps to take immediately after an accident is crucial for the best possible recovery and legal outcomes. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to take after being in a personal injury accident in Missouri.
Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Help
The first and most important step to take immediately after the accident occurs is to make sure everyone involved including yourself is okay. Assess any injuries that may have occurred and call 911 to request medical assistance if needed. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, it is important to still be looked at by a medical professional to make sure.
Report the Accident
After you assess injuries, make sure that you call the local authorities to file a report. If law enforcement responds to the scene, they will handle the accident report. Make sure to request a copy of the report or the report number for your records. This document will include important details such as the accident’s time, location, involved parties, and any other findings.
Collect Evidence
It is important to gather as much information as you can right after the accident. One way of doing so is by taking pictures of the scene of the accident, such as any damages, or injuries that occurred. These images can help demonstrate the extent of the damages and injuries. If anyone witnessed the accident, collect their contact information and, if possible, ask them for written statements about what they observed. Additionally, make sure to get the contact information of the other party involved in the accident and their insurance information if they have it.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Next, you will want to contact your insurance company to notify them about the accident. Make sure you provide detailed and accurate information about the accident. If you are unaware of your policy coverage, be sure to ask your insurance provider about their coverage limits, deductibles, and the types of damages covered. Missouri follows an at-fault system when it comes to insurance. The state requires individuals to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. Additionally, Missouri also follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Meaning, that even if you are partially at fault, you may still recover compensation for the accident
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Contacting an attorney is an important step to receiving the compensation you deserve for your accident. In Missouri, they have a statute of limitations, meaning you have five years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is important because if you miss the deadline for filing a lawsuit, you may lose your right to obtain legal assistance.
Filing a personal injury claim in Missouri involves several steps:
- Pre-Litigation: You may need to negotiate with insurance companies before filing a lawsuit. An attorney can help manage this process.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit and represent you through the legal process.
- Discovery and Trial: The discovery phase involves exchanging evidence. And if the case goes to trial, your attorney will present evidence and arguments to the court.
Contact Your Missouri Personal Injury Attorneys
Talking with the team at Wegmann Law allows you to better understand the situation and begin the process of holding all liable parties responsible after a personal injury accident in Missouri. It is crucial to begin this process quickly. Speak with the team at Wegmann Law today to seek immediate assistance in pursuing your case for all appropriate compensation.
