Car accidents happen. In fact, Missouri and Illinois record thousands of car accidents each year with injuries ranging from minor to fatal.
The moments immediately following a car crash are chaotic. Whether victims are seriously injured or not, their mental state is often dazed and confused. Emotions run high and people can be amped up to the point of hysteria. The best way to handle yourself after a car crash is to remain calm. It sounds so simple, but in the heat of the moment it’s often hard to do.
Casey & Devoti has created a check-list that should be followed immediately after a car accident. We suggest you keep a printed copy in your car for future reference. Knowing what to do and how to handle yourself will go a long way in helping you stay calm after a car accident.
Car Accident Checklist:
- Move the vehicle off the road, especially if you’re on a busy highway and there’s a chance that other accidents may occur.
- Check if anyone is hurt. Help the best you can without moving the injured person.
- Call the police and an ambulance.
- Exchange information with all involved parties and any potential witnesses. Be sure to get name, address, phone number, email address, driver’s license number, motor vehicle information (VIN and license plate number), insurance company and policy number.
- Gather as much information as possible – who, what, where, when, why and how. If you are able, jot down notes and take pictures of the scene.
- Cooperate and communicate fully with first responders. Deal only with the facts. Do not apologize for anything that happened. Do not admit fault or speculate on who might be at fault. Do not try to draw conclusions on what happened or how it happened.
- Seek medical attention. Use the examination by first responders or emergency room personnel to catalogue any issues that ail you/your passengers without regard to severity of symptoms.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Do not make any statements regarding the crash to the other drivers or to their insurance company representatives.
- Contact an attorney. Even a simple fender bender, can become complicated if there are multiple drivers with different insurance companies involved. If you have any questions or are in doubt as to how to proceed, your best course of action is to consult a personal injury attorney. They can review the circumstances of your accident and determine the best course of action.
Casey & Devoti is a St. Louis-based personal injury law firm. Together Partners Matt Casey and Matt Devoti have nearly 40 years of trial experience. They handle a variety of personal injury matters, including: car, truck and train crashes, victims of impaired and distracted driving, medical malpractice and birth injuries, product liability, slips/trips/falls, elder care and sexual abuse, Workers’ Compensation, and wrongful death. Matt and Matt proudly serve clients throughout metropolitan St. Louis, southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. If you or a loved one have been injured by the negligence of another, call the office today for a free, no-obligation consultation: (314) 421-0763.
