You've Just Been In A Car Accident. Now What?

Even minor car accidents are often scary and stressful, and serious wrecks can be absolutely devastating. If you have been in a car accident at the Lake of the Ozarks (especially if you have never been in a wreck before) you will probably find yourself overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. While we certainly hope you and your loved ones are never in need of this information, our personal injury lawyer in Osage Beach MO is here to help you prepare for the worst with this quick checklist of things to do immediately following an auto accident.

Get All Involved Persons Out Of The Road
The very first thing you should do is get everyone out of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. If possible, remove your vehicles from the roadway as well. If you remain in the center of the road, you risk suffering further injury or damage from being hit by another vehicle. Protecting the safety of everyone involved should always be your first priority.

 Stay At The Scene Of The Accident
You should remove yourself and your vehicle out of the way of the road, but that doesn't mean you should leave the scene of the accident. In fact, it is important that you remain there until law enforcement arrives. You could face criminal charges as a hit-and-run driver if you leave the scene of an accident, especially if the other driver or passengers were seriously injured or killed.

Call The Police
If it's your first time being in a car accident, you may assume that it is not necessary to get the police involved, particularly if no one was hurt. However, it is important that you call the police. The police will file an accident report that will contain important information when it comes time for the insurance companies to determine who was at fault and which company should pay for the damages, prosecuting or defending a criminal citation issued to the at-fault driver, and determining liability in a personal injury action. 

 Exchange Information With The Other Driver(s)
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take a moment to exchange information with each of the other drivers involved in the accident. Examples of information you should gather include:
  • Driver and passenger name(s)
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • License plate numbers
  • Makes and models of all vehicles
  • Location of the accident

If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their names, addresses, and phone numbers as well. Their testimony could prove valuable at a later date. If you have a camera or a smart phone with you, you should also take pictures of the scene of the accident.

Call Your Insurance Company
Once the police have completed their police report and all necessary business at the scene of the accident has been attended to, you should call your insurance company and inform them that you have been in an accident. They should then contact the other driver(s) insurance companies to work out who should have to pay for the damages.  Provide your insurance company with any information that can help support your case, such as the police report and witness' contact information.

Track Your Medical Bills
If you sustain injuries from your accident that require medical attention, it is important that you keep careful track of all medical bills related to your car accident. You may need to send copies of these documents to your insurance company and your attorney. 

Contact Your Attorney
If you have sustained serious injuries from an automobile accident, in may be in your best interests to consider hiring a car accident lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks to pursue damages on your behalf. Your attorney will be able to help you evaluate your accident and counsel you on the best course of action to take. 

O'Donnell Law Center Is Here For You
If you have been in a car accident in Osage Beach MO or any of the surrounding areas, it is probably reasonable to assume that you are already under a great deal of stress. O'Donnell Law Center is here to take your burden off of your shoulders as much as possible. If you are in need of a car accident lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we hope you'll keep us in mind. We would be happy to assist you in any way we can.
We Carry Your Burden ~ You Carry On With Life.

Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is created by the publication of this blog.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.


Phone: (573) 552-0317

O'Donnell Law Center, LLC
1026 Palisades Blvd. Suite 3
Osage Beach, MO  65065
Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

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