What to Do After a St. Louis Car Accident

If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it can be extremely useful to know what to do. The steps you take in the immediate aftermath and the days following an accident can be critical to your claim. Keep this checklist handy in case you ever need it.

Get to Safety

The first priority is your health and safety. Pull your vehicle out of traffic as close to the accident scene as possible. Activate your hazard lights to avoid secondary accidents. Stay in the vehicle unless it is unsafe to do so as other motorists might not expect to see people walking by the road.

Check for Injuries

Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. Check the other vehicle’s occupants for injuries, too. If anyone is noticeably injured, call for an ambulance.

Report the Accident

Call 911 to report the accident. An officer will respond to conduct an official investigation. This investigation might include:

• Asking drivers for statements regarding how the accident occurred
• Drawing a diagram of the accident scene
• Noting the specific date, time, and location of the accident in an accident report
• Interviewing any witnesses who remained at the scene
• Investigating whether any criminal activity was involved

You can contact the St. Louis Police Department by calling (314) 444-2500. You can call the department’s non-emergency number at (314) 231-1212 and request a copy of the accident report. The insurance company will likely need a copy of the report to process your claim.

Exchange Information

While you are waiting for the police to respond, you can ask the other driver for the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle information
• Insurance information

Avoid blaming the other driver for the accident or apologizing for it. Stick just to getting this important information and let the police handle the investigation.

Take Pictures

The accident scene will quickly be cleaned up so that it is not a danger to other motorists, so it’s critical that you try to preserve the scene by taking pictures or video of the accident scene. Try to capture the following:

• Wide shots and close-ups of the accident scene
• The location and extent of damage to the vehicles and any stationary objects
• Skid marks, car parts on the road, and other physical evidence
• Nearby street signs and traffic signals
• Road and weather conditions

Ask Witnesses for Their Information

If there were any witnesses who stayed at the accident scene, ask for their names and contact information. A statement from an objective witness can go a long way in your case.

Take Notes

Look around for any nearby traffic cameras, surveillance cameras, or other information that may help prove your case.

Continue Medical Treatment

Follow through with the medical treatment that you began on the day of the accident. Keep all of the following:

• Medical bills
• Diagnostic test results
• Physician notes
• Surgical reports
• Rehabilitation records

Keep Accident-Related Documentation

In addition to your medical records, keep all other documentation and information related to your accident, including:

• Estimates to repair your vehicle
• Statements from your employer and check stubs that show your lost wages
• Receipts for rental cars, rideshare services, over-the-counter supplies, and other out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred because of the accident
• Journal entries that evidence your pain and suffering

Call an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Contact Miller & Hine at (314) 408-5708 or online for a free case review with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer.