What to Do After a Car Accident With an Injury in St. Louis

Do you know what to do after a car accident when you have an injury in St. Louis? At the Mutrux Firm, we understand how traumatic it can be to be involved in a major car accident, and you might be a bit disoriented after the accident occurs. However, there are a few important things you need to do in order to keep yourself and others safe and to strengthen your case overall. Let’s learn more about what to do after a car accident with an injury with the attorneys at the Mutrux Firm.

Make Sure Everyone’s Safe

Ensure Safety First

After a car accident occurs, it is first important to make sure everyone involved is safe. You should move your vehicle away from traffic if possible to prevent any further accidents from occurring. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers, and it’s also a good idea to use flares or warning triangles to increase other’s driver’s visibility.

Check for Injuries

After the accident, it is critical to check for any injuries that might have occurred. Get in touch with the emergency services even if there are only minor injuries. Some injuries may not be apparent at first, but could appear within the days following the accident.

Exchange Information

Contact Law Enforcement

After an accident occurs, it is critical to contact law enforcement and report the accident, even if there aren’t any injuries or significant damages. Get in touch with emergency services and wait for the police to arrive at the scene. They will likely ask for your information, such as your name, and if you are injured. They will likely get your take on how the accident happened and if you are injured.

Exchange Information with the Other Party

It’s also important to exchange contact information with other drivers involved. Be sure to get their name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance policy details. If anyone witnessed the accident, it is also a good idea to get their take on what happened as well. 

Document the Scene

It’s important to document the scene and include the position of the vehicles, damages, and any road conditions that could have contributed to the accident. These photos can serve as valuable evidence to your case during the claims process and legal proceedings.

Obtain a Police Report

Once the officer arrives at the scene, it’s important to give them your account of the accident and how it occurred from your perspective. You should also get a copy of the police report, which is important for your case.\

Seeking Medical Attention

Assess Injuries

Many injuries might not be apparent immediately, therefore, it is best to seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries such as whiplash, internal trauma or bleeding, may not be apparent until a few days after the accident. This will also come in handy during the legal process, as the insurance company can see that you were treated at the scene.

Follow Up with Healthcare Providers

It is important to follow up with any healthcare providers that are recommended. Make sure you keep medical records handy, such as bills, prescriptions, and receipts for any out-of-pocket costs.

Document Injuries and Recovery

If you’re able, it’s important to keep a journal documenting your symptoms and overall progress during recovery. This is critical information that could prove valuable during the entire legal process. 

Dealing with Insurance

Dealing with insurance is perhaps the most difficult aspect of the entire process, as they will often deny coverage or provide you with much less compensation than you deserve.

Notify Your Insurance Company

It’s so important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident to them. Provide them the other party’s information, the extent of the damages, and if you were injured. It is critical to be honest during this process.

Understand Your Coverage

After the accident, you should check your insurance coverage to see if you have any deductibles or limitations on your policy.  If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage, these benefits can help cover medical expenses regardless of fault.

Keep Records

When communicating with the insurance company, be sure to keep detailed records of the phone calls, emails, or other forms of communication between you and your insurance. Get the names of the representatives you talked to and the details of the conversation. It’s important to be extremely cautious when providing details to insurance, as you do not want to provide them too much information without an attorney present. 

Taking Legal Action

Contact an Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it is critical to get an attorney to help you with your case. Don’t try and negotiate with the insurance company alone, as this could lead to you not getting the compensation you deserve for your case. Let us help you navigate the legal process, and advocate for you every step of the way. 

Your personal injury attorney will help you handle your case, address the costs of your treatments, and recognize the negligence of others as causing your injuries. Your attorney will help you better understand your legal options and help you through the complex legal system. 

During your free consultation, we will carefully review the details of your case, address your injuries, and let you know if you have a strong case. Your attorney can also estimate the total compensation you will receive based on the extent of your injuries.

Understand Your Rights

As with any legal proceeding, it is important to understand your rights. They help you protect yourself and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Some of the key right you have include: 

• The right to seek medical treatment: You can receive necessary medical treatment for your injuries, regardless of your ability to pay. Your health should be your top priority, and you should seek medical attention regardless of cost.
• The right to file a personal injury claim: If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you can file a personal injury claim against them. This claim seeks compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
• The right to legal representation: You have the right to hire an attorney to represent your interests and advocate on your behalf throughout the legal process. An experienced attorney can help protect your rights, gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
• The right to a fair settlement: You have the right to receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Insurance companies have a duty to negotiate in good faith and offer settlements that adequately cover your losses. If they fail to do so, you may have grounds for legal action.

File a Personal Injury Claim

If you believe another individual’s negligence caused your injuries, you could sue for compensation through a personal injury claim. Filing a personal injury claim involves a few important steps, such as:

• Gathering evidence: To support your claim, you’ll need evidence demonstrating the other party’s negligence and the extent of your injuries and damages. This may include photos of the accident scene, witness statements, medical records, and documentation of expenses related to your injuries.
• Notifying the responsible party: Your attorney will notify the responsible party (usually the at-fault driver’s insurance company) of your intent to file a claim. They will provide the necessary documentation and evidence to support your claim and demand fair compensation on your behalf.
• Negotiating a settlement: The insurance company will review your claim and may offer a settlement to resolve the matter out of court. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure the settlement adequately compensates you for your injuries and damages.
• Filing a lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit and pursuing your claim in court. Litigation can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Settlement Negotiations

Personal injury claims are often resolved through settlement negotiations instead of going to trial. Settlement negotiations are a critical aspect of reaching a resolution without having to deal with litigation. Negotiations are likely to be handled by your attorney and include the following: 

• Review the insurance company’s initial settlement offer: Your attorney will carefully review the insurance company’s initial settlement offer to determine if it adequately compensates you for your injuries and damages.
• Counteroffer: If the initial settlement offer is insufficient, your attorney will prepare a counteroffer outlining the amount of compensation you believe you’re entitled to based on the evidence and the extent of your losses.
• Negotiate with the insurance company: Your attorney will engage in negotiations with the insurance company to reach a mutually acceptable settlement. This may involve multiple rounds of offers and counteroffers until an agreement is reached.
• Advise you on settlement options: Throughout the negotiation process, your attorney will keep you informed of any offers and provide guidance on whether to accept or reject them based on their assessment of your case.
• Finalize the settlement: Once a settlement agreement is reached, your attorney will ensure that the terms are clearly documented and that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to in a timely manner.

Litigation

Litigation is the last resort if your attorney and insurance company cannot settle. At this point, litigation is a crucial step, and includes a few key aspects, such as:

• Filing the complaint: Your attorney will file a complaint with the appropriate court, outlining the details of your case, the injuries you’ve suffered, and the compensation you’re seeking.
• Discovery: Both parties engage in the discovery process, during which they exchange information and evidence related to the case. This may include written interrogatories, depositions, and requests for documents.
• Pre-trial motions: Each party may file pre-trial motions seeking rulings on various legal issues, such as the admissibility of evidence or the dismissal of certain claims.
• Trial: If the case proceeds to trial, both parties will present their arguments and evidence before a judge and/or jury. The judge or jury will then determine the outcome of the case and any compensation owed to the injured party.
• Appeals: If either party is dissatisfied with the outcome of the trial, they may file an appeal seeking a review of the decision by a higher court.

Need an Auto Accident Attorney in St. Louis? Mutrux is Here to Help! 

Now that you know what to do after a car accident in St. Louis, get in touch with the Mutrux Firm so we can help you get your life back. Being injured in an auto accident can be a traumatic experience. Whether the injuries are minor or more seriously affect your everyday life, you might be entitled to compensation. This is where the Mutrux Firm comes in to help! We are your car accident attorney in Missouri and are here to help you navigate the complex legal system. Get in touch with us at (888) 550-4026 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. For a firm you can trust, it has to be Mutrux!