Know the " Do's and Dont's "
After any Accident...
While you may take every precaution you can to protect yourself, sometimes accidents still happen. That’s why it’s always best to be prepared. When a car or a pedestrian accident happens, injuries may be severe and emotions may be high. The following is a list of things that should ( or should not ) be done, if at all possible, when any automobile or pedestrian accident occurs at both the scene of any accident and soon afterward.
| DO | GATHER DETAILS – Make certain to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all potential witnesses to your accident before they leave the area where the accident took place. Recorded audio or video from a mobile phone or a dashcam can be VERY helpful to your case. |
| DO | EXCHANGE INFORMATION – Obtain critical information from all parties involved in the accident: (1) Addresses and phone numbers (2) Car’s Make, Model, and Year (3) Driver’s License Number (4) License Plate Numbers (5) Insurance Information (6) Car Registration Number |
| DO | TAKE PHOTOS – Always take pictures of your vehicle, their vehicle and the area surrounding the accident. Take pictures ( or video ) of the road conditions and possible hazards that may have contributed to the accident. |
| DO | CALL POLICE – If you do not contact the police, your case will become a matter of your word against the other driver’s word. Always contact the police. Their documentation of the accident and the surrounding area is a crucial step toward building your case. CALMLY, give the police THE FACTS, not your opinion IF you THINK your at fault. |
| DO | CALL YOUR INSURANCE – Notify your insurance agent as quickly as possible, but do NOT say or sign anything until you speak with our attorneys. Be as honest and as thorough as possible concerning the specifics. But if you get a call from the opposing party’s representative, it’s best to refrain from giving too much information, if at all. CALL US FIRST . |
| DO | SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION – You might THINK you’re “ok”, but you might not know the full extent of your injuries. Seeking immediate medical treatment, not only protects your health, but it also strengthens any injury claim you have against others involved in the accident. |
| DO | KEEP RECORDS – Your quality of life and income have been affected. Document all medical appointments, medical treatments, any income losses or missed opportunities, or handicaps because of the accident. Create a diary or log how you have felt physically and emotionally because of your injuries. |
| DO | CALL J. ST LOUIS – Time is of the essence. Memories fade and evidence can get lost. And you have a limited time to file your claim. We ONLY get paid AFTER settling your case. And if you do not have health insurance, we can help you get medical treatment at not cost UNTIL the case is settled. |
| DON’T | WAIT TOO LONG – Evidence disappears very soon after a car accident. And so are your best chances at compensation. Contact us today so that we can get to work preserving the evidence to build your case. |
| DON’T | SIGN ANYTHING – If an insurance company sends paperwork to you, review it with our lawyers before you sign anything! |
| DON’T | DISCUSS ANYTHING – File your report with the police, be factual and contact our attorneys before you speak to anyone else about who was at fault in the accident. NEVER discuss fault to an accident TO ANYONE as it could be considered as admissible evidence that you were legally at fault. |
| DON’T | RECORD A STATEMENT – Insurance Claims Adjusters can be quite pleasant, BUT to them you are just a name on a claim, one of the thousands they handle every year. They WILL use your recorded statement against you; to say things that will hurt your claim. CALL US FIRST ! |
| DON’T | LEAVE THE SCENE – Always stay at the scene of the accident until help and police arrive. Make certain to exchange information such as insurance and contact information with the other driver(s) and any witnesses. Feel free to record THEIR statement. Do NOT give any statements or opinions of your own. |
| DON’T | DISMISS AN INJURY – You might think you are “ok”. But you may not be aware of the nature or full extent of your injuries. NEVER discuss how you feel with an insurance adjuster. Seek all necessary physical therapy with a doctor. Record all of your accrued medical bills, doctor discussions, and losses. This information can be used to maximize your claim for compensation. |
| DON’T | DISCARD EVIDENCE – Make certain to keep all potential evidence in the case; such as torn or bloodstained clothing, dashcam video, defective products, or car parts that came off the car during your accident. Anything that may be relevant to the accident or injury can maximize your claim for compensation. |
| DON’T | QUICKLY SETTLE – NEVER SETTLE BEFORE CALLING US! If you were to settle a claim without knowing the total costs of the damages, losses and the extent of your injuries, you could seriously minimize the amount of compensation in your case. And once you sign a settlement there is NO SECOND CHANCE at getting the compensation you did deserve. CALL US FIRST ! |
DO GATHER THE DETAILS . . .
Make certain to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all potential witnesses to your accident before they leave the area where the accident took place. Recorded audio or video from a mobile phone or a dashcam can be VERY helpful to your case.
DO EXCHANGE INFORMATION . . .
Obtain critical information from all parties involved in the accident: (1) Addresses and phone numbers (2) Car’s Make, Model, and Year (3) Driver’s License Number (4) License Plate Numbers (5) Insurance Information (6) Car Registration Number
DO TAKE PHOTOS . . .
Always take pictures of your vehicle, their vehicle and the area surrounding the accident. Take pictures ( or video ) of the road conditions and possible hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
DO CALL POLICE . . .
If you do not contact the police, your case will become a matter of your word against the other driver’s word. Always contact the police. Their documentation of the accident and the surrounding area is a crucial step toward building your case. CALMLY, give the police THE FACTS, not your opinion IF you THINK your at fault.
DO CALL YOUR INSURANCE . . .
Notify your insurance agent as quickly as possible, but do NOT say or sign anything until you speak with our attorneys. Be as honest and as thorough as possible concerning the specifics. But if you get a call from the opposing party’s representative, it’s best to refrain from giving too much information, if at all. CALL US FIRST .
DO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION . . .
You might THINK you’re “ok”, but you might not know the full extent of your injuries. Seeking immediate medical treatment, not only protects your health, but it also strengthens any injury claim you have against others involved in the accident.
DO KEEP RECORDS . . .
Your quality of life and income have been affected. Document all medical appointments, medical treatments, any income losses or missed opportunities, or handicaps because of the accident. Create a diary or log how you have felt physically and emotionally because of your injuries.
DO CALL J. ST. LOUIS LAWYERS. . .
Time is of the essence. Memories fade and evidence can get lost. And you have a limited time to file your claim. We ONLY get paid AFTER settling your case. And if you do not have health insurance, we can help you get medical treatment at not cost UNTIL your case is settled.
DON’T WAIT. . .
Evidence disappears very soon after a car accident. And so are your best chances at compensation. Contact us today so that we can get to work preserving the evidence to build your case.
DON’T SIGN . . .
If an insurance company sends paperwork to you, review it with our lawyers before you sign anything!
DON’T DISCUSS . . .
File your report with the police and contact our attorneys before you speak to anyone else about who was at fault in the accident. And NEVER apologize TO ANYONE as it could be considered as admissible evidence that you were legally at fault.
DON’T RECORD A STATEMENT. . .
Insurance Claims Adjusters can be quite pleasant, BUT to them you are just a name on a claim, one of the thousands they handle every year. They WILL use your recorded statement against you; to say things that will hurt your claim. CALL US FIRST !
DON’T LEAVE THE SCENE. . .
Always stay at the scene of the accident until help and police arrive. Make certain to exchange information such as insurance and contact information with the other driver(s) and any witnesses. Feel free to record THEIR statement. Do NOT give any statements or opinions of your own.
DON’T DISMISS AN INJURY. . .
You might think you are “ok”. But you may not be aware of the nature or full extent of your injuries. NEVER discuss how you feel with an insurance adjuster. Seek all necessary physical therapy with a doctor. Record all of your accrued medical bills, doctor discussions, and losses. This information can be used to maximize your claim for compensation.
DON’T DISCARD EVIDENCE. . .
Make certain to keep all potential evidence in the case; such as torn or bloodstained clothing, dashcam video, defective products, or car parts that came off the car during your accident. Anything that may be relevant to the accident or injury can maximize your claim for compensation.
DON’T QUICKLY SETTLE. . .
NEVER SETTLE BEFORE CALLING US! If you were to settle a claim without knowing the total costs of the damages, losses and the extent of your injuries, you could seriously minimize the amount of compensation in your case. And once you sign a settlement there is NO SECOND CHANCE at getting the compensation you did deserve. CALL US FIRST !