The moments after a car accident are disorienting. Your adrenaline is pumping, you might be in pain, and you’re probably not thinking about legal strategy. But the decisions you make in the hours and days following a crash can have a massive impact on your ability to recover compensation later.
As a personal injury attorney in Joplin, Missouri, I’ve seen too many cases where good people lost money they were entitled to because they didn’t know the right steps to take after an accident. Here’s the guide I wish every driver in Southwest Missouri had in their glove box.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your health comes first. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. Call 911 even if the accident seems minor. There are two reasons for this: first, you need medical documentation from the start. Second, a police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any car accident claim. If the police don’t come to the scene, you lose that.
2. Document the Scene
Pull out your phone and take photos of everything: the damage to all vehicles, the positions of the cars, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get wide shots and close-ups. Take photos of the other driver’s license plate, driver’s license, and insurance card. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. This evidence can be the difference between winning and losing your case.
3. Get Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine
This is the step people skip most often, and it’s the one that costs them the most money. Many serious injuries — herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage — don’t show symptoms for hours or even days after an accident. If you wait two weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue your injuries aren’t related to the crash. Go to the ER or urgent care the same day, even if you think you’re okay.
4. Don’t Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurance adjuster will call you. They’ll be friendly. They’ll say they just want to “get your side of the story.” What they’re actually doing is looking for anything you say that they can use to minimize or deny your claim. You are under no legal obligation to give them a recorded statement. Politely decline and tell them to contact your attorney.
5. Don’t Accept a Quick Settlement Offer
Insurance companies love to make fast, lowball offers — sometimes within days of the accident. They know you’re stressed about medical bills and they’re counting on you taking the easy money before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you accept a settlement, it’s over. You can’t go back and ask for more, even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than you initially thought.
6. Keep Records of Everything
Start a file. Save every medical bill, every receipt, every document related to the accident. Keep a journal of your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injuries are affecting your daily life. Write down the days you missed work. This documentation is what your attorney uses to build the value of your claim.
7. Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
Missouri gives you five years to file a personal injury lawsuit (RSMo. §516.120), but that doesn’t mean you should wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And the sooner an attorney gets involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters to prevent the other side from destroying evidence. Most personal injury lawyers, including our firm, offer free consultations and work on contingency — meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
The Bottom Line
A car accident is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you’re protecting your legal rights. The short version: get medical care, document everything, don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company, and call a lawyer. When you’re hurt, call Kurt. (417) 553-4898. Free consultation.
Related Resources
- Car Accident Lawyer Joplin
- How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?
- Common Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Car Accident Case
If you’ve been injured, contact Benecke Injury Law at (417) 553-4898 for a free case review.