A serious car accident is one of the most frightening experiences a human can endure. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, emotions run high, with the rush of adrenaline sometimes masking serious injuries. In some cases, you could be unconscious or incapacitated. It’s difficult to think of anything except surviving the accident, but as the dust settles, a car accident survivor has to face the legal challenges of an accident claim to recover their losses. After injuries in an accident in fault-based insurance states like Missouri, you must have evidence to prove your claim for damages against the at-fault party’s insurance company. As challenging as it is to take purposeful action after a car accident, there are many ways to strengthen your case for a compensation claim immediately after the accident and in the days and weeks to follow.
How to Strengthen a Car Accident Claim At the Scene of the Accident
Securing evidence for a car accident claim begins right at the scene of the accident if you can safely use your phone—or let an uninjured person use it for you. Sometimes the police take photos of the scene for the accident report, but removing the vehicles to restore traffic flow is often their immediate priority once emergency services arrive. Use a cell phone to take the following steps to document evidence for your car accident claim:
- Call 911 to report the accident unless someone else has already done so
- While waiting for help to arrive, snap photos of the accident scene, even if you have to do so from your spot to prevent causing further injuries
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Add the contact information of anyone involved in the accident and any eyewitnesses
- Record what you recall about the accidents and the moments leading up to the accident while it’s fresh in your mind—trauma can fade the memory later
After the accident, go directly to the hospital or an urgent care center for emergency medical treatment. Always ask for a complete examination to catch any injuries with delayed symptom presentation.
How to Secure Evidence After the Car Accident to Maximize Your Compensation
After the accident, be sure to ask your medical provider for a detailed accident report listing your injuries, the doctor’s recommended treatments, and your prognosis. Be sure to report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible and request a copy of the police report. Then, in the days and weeks following the accident, do the following:
- Call an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney to protect your best interests throughout the process
- Save copies of all medical bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
- Gather proof of income, such as tax records and pay stubs, and ask your employer for documents proving that you missed workdays during your recovery period, or haven’t been able to return to work
- Avoid posting on social media—insurance adjusters who work to protect their company’s profits at the victim’s expense can use a photo or social media comment you posted out of context against you
- Avoid talking with the insurance company on a recorded line
- Follow your doctor’s orders carefully and attend all medical appointments and followups
- Fill all prescriptions
- If you experience PTSD, anxiety, or depression, alert your doctor and seek counseling
Many car accident victims also keep “pain journals” after the accident to track their pain levels each day. A pain journal can include other impacts of an accident, such as medical appointments, sleep disturbances, and difficulty accomplishing daily routines due to the injuries.
Moving Forward on a Car Accident Claim
Never accept a fast settlement from an insurance company after an accident without speaking to an attorney. Early offers are often made before the accident survivor knows the full scope of their damages. Accepting a settlement requires signing away the right to a lawsuit. Instead, hire a car accident attorney and direct the insurance company to your St. Louis injury lawyer. Documenting evidence of liability in the accident and your damages improves the chances of recovering the maximum compensation available to you for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering.