#2: Call the Police
You should call the police from the crash scene and get a copy of the police report. The officer will investigate the cause of the collision and write a report that could contain helpful information, such as the following:
- Date, time, and place of the wreck
- Details about how the accident happened
- Statements from the other driver, witnesses, and you
- The police officer’s conclusions about who was at fault
- Any traffic citations issued
#3: Preserve Evidence
You should obtain the contact information for the at-fault motorist and their insurance company so you can file your claim. You should also preserve evidence that can help your car accident attorney prove the other driver caused the crash.
Take photos and a video of the vehicles’ damage, road and weather conditions, skid marks, and traffic and business surveillance cameras. Also, ask someone to take pictures of your injuries.
You should also talk to eyewitnesses and get their contact information. Our car accident lawyers will speak to them before they disappear or their memories fade and obtain their written statements corroborating how the wreck happened.
#4: Report the Car Accident to Your Insurance Company
You should report the collision to your auto insurance company. This is not the same thing as filing a claim. However, promptly notifying them protects your right to file a claim under your uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage if necessary.
#5: Hire an Attorney
One of the most important first steps you should take is to retain our car accident lawyers at Bollwerk & Associates, LLC. Here are five ways we will help you:
- Identify your accident’s cause. Our legal team will examine all the evidence and hire an expert witness, if necessary, to determine why your auto accident happened.
- Collect the evidence you need. From our decades of fighting for the rights of car accident victims, we know what evidence you must have to prove your claim and will collect it before it is altered or destroyed.
- Help you avoid mistakes. Our attorneys will advise you on mistakes to avoid, such as giving a recorded statement, that could give the insurance adjuster ammunition to dispute your claim or that could significantly weaken your case.
- Negotiate your settlement. One of the benefits of hiring us is that we will take over all communications with the insurance company and negotiate your settlement. Before beginning negotiations, we will determine how much your claim is worth and won’t back down if the insurance company makes unfair offers.
- Litigate your claim. We will meet all deadlines, including the five-year statute of limitations to sue the negligent driver under Missouri Code §516.120(4), before your time to file a lawsuit expires. Our car accident lawyers are not afraid to litigate your claim and argue your case at a jury trial if this will help you obtain all the compensation you should receive for your injuries.