Cape Girardeau car accident claim: The 5 actions you must avoid

If you live in Cape Girardeau, you know how busy the roads can get, especially during rush hour or on weekends when everyone is out and about. With all the traffic, the risk of getting into a car accident is always there, and it can be a lot to deal with when it happens.

Cape Girardeau might feel like a tight-knit community where you’d expect things to be simple, but that doesn’t mean the process of filing a claim is. Without the help of Cape Girardeau car crash lawyers, you might find yourself going home with little or no compensation, even when it is clear as day that you’re the victim in the situation.

There’s more to the aftermath of a crash than just fixing your car, getting yourself treated, and then moving on. There’s a lot more involved, from the insurance calls to possible legal issues. And honestly, one wrong move can make things a whole lot harder.

And speaking of wrong moves, here are five actions you must avoid after a car accident.

1. Don’t leave without doing what’s necessary

In Cape Girardeau (and across Missouri), leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging information is considered a misdemeanour.

Even if you think it’s just a minor scrape, stay put. Take a deep breath, pull over safely, and assess the situation. The law requires you to exchange information with the other party and to wait for the authorities if there’s any significant damage or injury.

By staying at the scene, you protect yourself from future accusations that could hurt your case.

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2. Don’t forget to call the police

Police reports are a neutral, third-party account of what happened, and it’s often the only thing standing between your word and the other driver’s version of events.

In Cape Girardeau, just like anywhere else in Missouri, police reports matter. Without one, it’s your word against theirs. And even if you’re both being civil and it seems like you could settle things between yourselves, things can change fast once the insurance companies get involved.

What if the other driver changes their story later? What if they claim the damage was worse than you thought? With a police report, none of these issues will hold any water in court.

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3. Never admit fault

If you’re the kind of person who likes to smooth things over quickly, you might be tempted to maybe apologise and move on, even if nothing that happened was your fault. Even if you think you are, don’t apologise just yet because you don’t have the full picture.

You might think you’re at fault, but there could be factors you’re not aware of. Maybe the other driver was speeding, or maybe there was a mechanical failure on their part. By admitting fault at the scene, you could accidentally take on more responsibility than you need to.

4. Don’t forget to keep records

Evidence is everything when you’re up against your at-fault party in court. The best time to gather them is right when all the details are still fresh.

What kind of evidence should you be collecting? Well, you can start with photos. Take pictures of everything, including the damage to your car, the damage to the other car, the surrounding area, any traffic signs, and even the weather conditions at the time of the accident. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you’re overreacting.

In Cape Girardeau, for example, certain intersections or road conditions could have played a part in the accident. You’ll want to document the scene as it was when the accident occurred because things can change quickly.

A few days later, that stop sign might be repaired, or the lighting at that intersection might be improved. Having pictures of how things were at the moment of the accident can be critical to your case.

Also, you should not forget to gather witness information as well. If anyone saw what happened, get their name and contact details. Last but not least, if the police arrive and write up a report, ask for the report number so you can follow up later.

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5. Don’t speak to the insurance adjuster without preparation (or a lawyer)

After an accident, it won’t be long before an insurance adjuster gives you a call. Before you talk to them, make sure you’re clear on the facts of the accident and have all your documentation in order.

If you’re unsure about anything, you absolutely have the right to tell them you need time to review your notes or speak with your attorney before providing a detailed statement.

You don’t have to answer everything on the spot, and you certainly shouldn’t feel pressured to settle quickly.

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