A motor vehicle accident can be stressful and disorienting – even more so when an injury results. While preserving evidence and gathering information is important, you should not risk your safety or that of your passengers.
Should you move a vehicle after an accident?
Most states allow for vehicles to be moved to a safe location after an accident to ensure further damage and/or injury does not occur. If possible, vehicles should be moved to a parking lot, side street or other area out of the main traffic way. If the vehicles cannot be moved, use of road flares, hazard/emergency lights or other indicators is the next best choice.
Assess the scene
If no one is injured in the car accident, call the local police department. If you or any one on the scene is injured, emergency medical services should be contacted. The police have specific policies related to vehicle accident reports. In some cases, the amount of property damage and/or location of the accident may dictate that the police do not create an accident report. If no accident report is made, you can still request the incident or call number associated with the call for police to document the accident. All calls for police automatically generate an incident/call number. An injury of any type automatically requires a police report. If a report is taken, you will want to get the report number from the officer.
While waiting for the police, it is a good idea to take pictures of the damage of both your vehicle and other vehicles/objects damaged in the accident. Close up pictures and videos are most helpful. It is a good idea to capture other pertinent information, such as:
- Time and location of the accident
- Brief summary of what happened
- Prevailing conditions (road conditions, weather, lighting, etc.)
- Any noticeable mitigating factors (other person was texting, smell of alcohol, etc.)
- Contact information of everyone involved in the accident as well as any witnesses
The police will also want to see a driver’s license and proof of insurance for all drivers involved. It is generally a good idea to get contact information for everyone involved in the accident (drivers and passengers). Don’t rely on the police to record all the information.
Injuries that manifest after a car accident
In many cases, an injury may not immediately present at the time of the accident. If you are injured or unsure if you have sustained an injury, you should immediately go to your healthcare provider, Emergency Room or Urgent Care facility. Do not wait to make an appointment with your primary physician or wait to see if the pain/symptoms subside. It is important to act quickly if you suspect you are injured as it will be more difficult to assert that your medical bills should be covered.
Reporting an accident to insurance
All insurance providers require notice if you have been involved in an accident. In most cases, your statement will be recorded and the insurance representative will ask very specific questions about the accident as well as an opportunity for you to describe what happened. You should refrain from making statements about fault, particularly if an injury was sustained in the accident. Insurance companies are interested in settling an accident the least expensive way possible. It is important to refrain from providing information that may alter how an insurance handles the case, particularly if the information has not been validated. If you have been injured in an accident, you would be wise to consult with an accident injury attorney to ensure your rights are protected as well as your financial interests.
Contact us today
Our St Louis injury attorneys handle every type of personal injury and car accident case, and know how to protect you while ensuring you are fairly compensated (recovery). You can meet with one of our lawyers free of charge to learn how our services can benefit you. Call us at (314) 725-7000, or contact us online, to discover how we earned our reputation for excellence and our track record of success.
