Missouri Car Crash Injury Lawyers - Victim Information Center

What Should You Do?

The chances of being involved in an automobile crash at some point in time are relatively high. Hopefully when your luck runs out, the resulting collision is minor and no one is seriously injured. Often times, unfortunately, that just is not the case and drivers and passengers are injured and in need of medical treatment. Healing physically, emotionally, and financially from a car accident can be a challenging proposition. However, following these car accident tips will speed recovery and preserve your personal injury claim.

Contact local police immediately and report the crash. Also demand that the police create an official crash report
Seek immediate medical treatment at the closest emergency room. Even if you 'feel okay', it is important to get adequate diagnostic care as soon as possible
Gather detailed witness information and take photographs of all vehicles and the accident scene
If contacted by other car insurance companies do not give a recorded statement, do not grant them access to your medical records, and do not sign any "Release of Claims"
Contact your insurance company and report the facts of the crash (unless this is an uninsured motorist claim)
Contact St. Louis car crash injury attorney Stephen Schultz and get experienced lawyers on your side

Car Accident Injuries

The types of injuries sustained in a car accident vary depending upon speed, point of impact, and type of vehicle. Most rear-end car accidents cause whiplash and soft-tissue injuries. Head-on car accidents commonly cause traumatic brain injury and bone fractures. Other types of injuries can include:

Who Pays for the Damage to Your Car?

Given the technology and materials used by today's cars, chances are that even a minor fender bender will cost several thousand dollars to repair. If you are involved in a collision in Missouri, the law allows owners to elect to have their car repaired by their own insurance company or by the other driver's insurance company. A common misunderstanding is that when another driver caused the collision that the innocent driver should not go through his or her own car insurance to repair property damage. To the contrary, often times it is more convenient to go through your own insurance carrier to repair property damage, even when another driver is to blame. Even if your claim only involves property damage, it is smart to consult with a Missouri car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

If you are involved in an automobile collision and decide to use your own insurance to repair damage to your vehicle, chances are that a deductible will have to be paid up front, even if the other driver is at fault. However, your insurance company will contact the other driver's insurance and make a claim of its own for property damage. Once liability is determined, and if the other driver is at fault, you will be reimbursed your deductible. This is commonly referred to as "subrogation."

Should You Give Insurance Companies a Recorded Statement?

Yes and no. YES, if your own insurance company wants to take a recorded statement, you should cooperate and be factually honest. One side note, in certain situations it may be in your best interest to avoid giving recorded statements to anyone, including your own insurance company. Such a situation is when the other driver does not have any car insurance. In this instance, you may be forced to make an uninsured motorist (UM) claim on your own policy. History proves that insurance companies are in business to make money, so in some situations your own insurance company may act unfair in the handling of a UM claim.

NO, a personal injury victim should never give other insurance companies a recorded statement. Even the most clear-cut facts can be twisted by an unfair insurance adjuster. Injury victims are under no obligation to provide anyone with a recorded statement, not even the police! Our Missouri Injury Attorneys find that when recorded statements are provided to insurance companies they use them as a point of contention in settlement negotiations. Remember, don't let yourself be victimized twice.

Don't ever talk to an insurance claims adjuster until you have spoken with a car accident lawyer. At the very least, a lawyer will be able to prepare you on what to expect from the claims adjuster.

Who Pays Your Medical Bills?

When you are injured, medical bills can start to pile up quick. First, remember if you have health insurance, that they should be the primary payer of all medical bills incurred as a result of any accident. Sometimes the hospital or doctor will ask whether your injury is a result of the negligent act of another person. This is a common tactic used by health care providers to protect their interest in the event that your health insurance rejects coverage or when co-pays or deductibles remain unpaid. Without sounding redundant, remember, your health insurance is primarily financially responsible for any bills incurred as a result of any incident, whether or not the injuries were caused by a negligent act or act of God. So demand that health care providers submit your bills to health insurance for payment.

Often times injury claimants have large co-pays and deductibles that may become impractical to pay during recovery from the incident. After all, many victims of serious personal injury cannot work throughout recovery and as a result sustain lost wages. Our Missouri personal injury attorneys contact your health care providers and demand that they wait to collect any outstanding charges not covered by health insurance until after a settlement or verdict is obtained in the claim. That way, our clients can concentrate on what is really important, healing.

Have you been involved in a car crash in St. Louis Missouri? Contact St. Louis Automobile Accident Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz today and get the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side! Our personal injury lawyers are available anytime at (314) 732-1401, toll-free (866) 840-3636, or by email to discuss your automobile injury claim. Don't be victimized twice, contact automobile accident injury lawyer Stephen Schultz today.