1. Stop

All parties, including yourself, need the other people’s information, especially about their auto insurance coverage. It's very hard to collect any funds against an unknown driver. Furthermore, if you just drive off, you can be criminally liable for hit and run or failure to report an accident.

2. Call the police.

The negligent driver may try to convince you to handle it outside of court and not report it to the police. Do not do this. You need a police report and witnesses for your auto accident. Despite how things may appear at the scene of the wreck, you don't know how things will actually turn out.

3. Don't make excuses for the negligent driver or take on guilt.

You may think you are just trying to diffuse a situation, but if you in any way admit you are at fault, it will likely be used against you in your personnel injury claim. Unfortunately, a wreck is a tumultuous event and when a person admitted fault, sometimes it was just an emotional statement that wasn't correct. Despite your emotional turmoil, you may not have been at fault. But your false admission will potentially cause you to bear the financial burden of the auto accident.

4. Investigate the situation.

Take pictures of the road, traffic signals, signs, injuries, and the wrecked vehicles. Photos can be extremely persuasive evidence in both a trial and when attempting to settle a claim. Get the contact information of the other driver as well as their insurance company information and policy number. Also, get all the contact information of potential witnesses.

5. Consider going to the Emergency Room

Too often people try to just suck it up and try to get by on the adrenaline from the wreck or overly optimistic thinking. Later, they wish they had went directly to the hospital to get the urgent medical help they needed. Additionally, prolonging your care can hamper your personal injury legal case.

6. Keep good records and a diary/journal.

Keep records and receipts of all your bills. If you are able to prove liability at trial, you still need to show your damages. A ledger of all your damages will greatly assist your personal injury lawyer. Your journal should keep a record of struggles you went through during your rehabilitation and road to recovery. Personal reflections and being able to share with detail what you went through can be very persuasive for a jury when they contemplate your damages.

7. Don't discuss the case with the negligent driver.

If they try to contact you, just kindly let them know that you are having your insurance carrier, and your car wreck lawyer take care of it for you.

8. Hire an experienced car wreck lawyer.

Find a law firm that has handled numerous car wreck cases before. You want a personal injury attorney who knows how to litigate. We have represented many clients in Kansas and Missouri with their auto accident cases and helped them receive the money compensation they needed to deal with their personal injuries. We look forward to helping you.