A minor car accident might not seem like much to worry about, but any type of car accident can create issues that need to be addressed. Regardless of the severity of the accident, there are still procedures that you need to follow and steps that you need to take to make sure that you get the compensation you need to take care of any expenses caused by the accident. In a minor car accident, it is unlikely that there will be any major injuries so most of those expenses will likely be repair bills.
You will need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get that compensation because taking on an insurance company by yourself can be a daunting proposition. If you live in the St. Louis area, then visit hm-attorneys.com to learn how they can help you with your case.
Keep Calm
Even a minor car accident can be a stressful affair but you do not want to let your emotions control you in such a situation. If you get angry or belligerent, then that could have a negative effect on your case down the line. So try and stay calm and find out if anyone was injured during the accident before taking the next step.
Call the Authorities
In any car accident you need to call the authorities. This may seem unnecessary if the accident did not cause any big problems but the responding police officer will write a report of the accident that can be useful later on when your lawyer is establishing who was at fault for the accident.
Do Not Admit Fault
Whether you are speaking to the police or the other driver, you should never admit that you are at fault for the accident; that includes apologizing or accepting blame. The reason is that admitting fault could hurt you later on when you are attempting to get a settlement. The insurance company of the other driver could claim that since you admitted fault at the accident scene you deserve a smaller settlement amount or no settlement at all. So say as little to the other driver as possible, only answer the questions the police ask you, and avoid statements that might incriminate you.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
This is something that you should do no matter how big or small the accident is. Pictures can help to prove who was at fault for the accident as well as the extent of the damage that was done to your car. They can also be very valuable when negotiating with the insurance company. That is because they present incontrovertible proof of the event that took place. So be sure to take pictures of the damage done to each car as well as the surrounding accident scene. Those pictures can help to prove which party was responsible for the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Even if the accident was not your fault, you should still contact your insurance company and report the accident to them. That way if the other driver tries to change their story and lay the blame on you, you will have an official record backing up your record of the events.
Contact an Attorney
If you are sure that the other driver was at fault, then you will need to file an insurance claim against them. A personal injury attorney can help you with that as well as with all of the other legal burdens associated with the accident. That includes gathering evidence, performing an investigation, and negotiating with the insurance company. Those are tasks that should not be done by the average person, which is why you need the expertise of a personal injury attorney to help you.
Take Care After a Car Accident
Even a minor car accident can have major consequences, so be sure to follow the steps outlined above if you want the best chance of a successful outcome. You might not feel that a minor car accident is worth the trouble but it could cause problems that can hurt you financially. So do not take a minor car accident too lightly; follow the steps listed above and contact an attorney to get the help you need.
