What To Do After a Car Accident in Kansas City
No one plans to get into a car accident. At our Kansas City car accident law firm, we know that car accident victims are overwhelmed with questions after a car crash. Whether the accident happened in Kansas or Missouri, many are struggling with the same questions:
Of course, what you do immediately after the accident can impact every aspect of your medical and legal recovery, including the answers to the questions above. To help you get the best outcome for your car accident claim, below are 7 most important things to do after a car accident in Kansas City.
If you still have questions or want to discuss your particular case, our Kansas City car accident lawyer is ready to help. Call us today for a free consultation at 816-203-0143.
7 Most Important Things to Do After a Kansas City Car Accident
Assuming you are not critically injured, there are certain steps you should take after a Kansas City car accident to make sure your legal rights are protected. While these may seem obvious, it is often difficult to remember what to do in the stress, shock and chaos after a car accident.
You will be feeling adrenaline and potentially overwhelmed by what just happened. For that reason, take a moment to calm down and follow these key steps you can take to hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries and damages:
1. Get to Safety and Call 9-1-1
The most important thing to do immediately after a car accident in Kansas City is to get to a safe place. Then, if you or a loved one are seriously injured, you should call 9-1-1 and request an ambulance. Missouri law actually requires you to give "immediate notice" to local police if you someone is hurt and the crash caused over $500 in damage. Request the police come to the accident scene, wait for them to arrive.
2. Assist Police With the Crash Report
Be sure to share with the Kansas City police officer your detailed account of how the accident occurred with police. If you suspect the other driver is drunk, impaired or distracted, tell the police why you believe this is the case. Ask the police officer if anyone will be cited for causing the accident. Lastly, get the accident report number from the police officer and ask when they believe the report will be ready. You will want to request your crash report from KCPD as soon as it is available.
If the Kansas City Police are unable to come to the accident scene, you will need to file a report in person at your local KCPD police station, or you can call KCPD's non-emergency line at 816-234-5111. If the accident happened in another municipality, you should call that the local government to find out how to file the report there.
3. Get Contact and Insurance Information of All Drivers
Write down the vehicle description and contact information of all drivers and passengers. You can also take pictures of these documents or things with your phone. Just be sure to preserve this evidence. You should also ask for the insurance information of all drivers and make sure to write this information down. You may get a call from the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party. You should be careful if you do so, as there are different kinds of questions that can be tricky. For this reason, you may want to speak with a car accident attorney before speaking with them.
4. Get Statements From Witnesses
Get the contact information and statements of any witnesses to the accident. This is especially important if there are multiple cars involved or if it is not clear who caused the accident.
5. Photograph and Video Accident Scene and Injuries
Take photos and videos of the accident, the intersection, any light signals or signs nearby, and anything else that may be relevant to how the accident happened or who is at fault. Cell phones are everywhere, so it is easier than ever to take pictures and video of the accident scene, the vehicle damage, any injuries and other important items.
Pictures often tell a story better than words, especially in the months after the accident. As a result, make sure that your photos are clear and not blurry. Pictures are especially helpful of the accident scene, the position of the vehicles involved, and the damage or injuries caused.
You cannot take too many pictures, but you can take too few. For that reason, you should take several from many different angles to ensure that the picture accurately shows the results.
6. Do Not Admit Fault
Do no admit fault for the accident. Instead, you should be honest and helpful to the police and allow their crash investigation to address fault.
7. Promptly Treat Any Injuries
You should take care and caution in getting prompt and necessary care for your injuries. At times, injuries may not seem so serious but become more serious, and even critical, in the hours following an accident. For this reason, it is very important to seek proper medical care as soon as possible.
Contact Our Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer
After you leave the accident scene, you should focus on getting proper and prompt medical care for all your injuries and consider contacting a car accident lawyer for a free consultation as to your legal rights. Our Kansas City car accident lawyer can offer further guidance on how to protect your rights and ensure a maximum recovery in compensation for your injuries.
To start, check out our top 10 ways to maximize your recovery after a car accident, or request a copy of our e-book, Crash Course, to avoid the 9 mistakes that can wreck your accident claim in Kansas and Missouri. Of course, our Kansas City car accident lawyer is always happy to speak to you about your case. Please contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Just call our office at (816) 203-0143 or fill out the form below. We would be honored to serve you.
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