{"id":38057,"date":"2016-03-31T19:26:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T00:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/uncategorized\/what-to-do-in-case-of-an-auto-accident.html"},"modified":"2016-07-07T14:29:08","modified_gmt":"2016-07-07T19:29:08","slug":"what-to-do-in-case-of-an-auto-accident","status":"publish","type":"corporate","link":"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/litigation-disputes\/what-to-do-in-case-of-an-auto-accident.html","title":{"rendered":"What To Do In Case Of An Auto Accident"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

What These Words Mean<\/b><\/p>\n

Scene<\/i>-The place where the accident happened.
\nWitness<\/i>-A person who saw the accident happen.<\/p>\n

Keep this brochure with a pencil and paper and your insurance card in your car.<\/p>\n

Stop At The Scene<\/b><\/p>\n

You cannot drive away from an accident<\/a>. You must stay until you have given your name and address to a police officer or the other driver.<\/p>\n

Get Help For The Injured<\/b><\/p>\n

Call 911 or "0" on a telephone or ask someone to call for you. Do not try to move an injured person.<\/p>\n

Give Warnings<\/b><\/p>\n

Ask another person to volunteer to wave to other cars to warn them of the accident. Use lights or a flashlight at night to warn other cars.<\/p>\n

Tell A Police Officer<\/b><\/p>\n

Tell a police officer, a county sheriff or the Missouri Highway Patrol that you had an accident. The police report can help you later if you forget facts.<\/p>\n

Give them your name and address and show them your driver’s license and your insurance card<\/a>. This is all you must do to obey Missouri law.<\/p>\n

You do not need to tell any person, other than a police officer, how you think the accident happened. You may learn later that you did not do anything wrong. You should not sign any papers at the scene except the agreement to appear in court if asked by an officer.<\/p>\n

Get Witnesses’ Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers<\/b><\/p>\n

Ask all witnesses to write down their names, addresses and telephone numbers.<\/p>\n

Write answers to questions on a blank page in this booklet. Draw a picture of the accident scene, also.<\/p>\n

Towing<\/b><\/p>\n

If you cannot drive your car, you must have it moved from the scene. If the police officer calls a tow truck, you should ask how much it will cost, tell the tow driver where to take your car, and ask for his name, address and telephone number if you do not go with him.<\/p>\n

Call Your Insurance Agent<\/b><\/p>\n

You must tell your insurance agent about the accident. Your lawyer can help with the report. Your insurance could be lost if you do not tell the agent right away.<\/p>\n

See A Doctor<\/b><\/p>\n

You may not know if you are hurt<\/a> because you may be upset. It is a good idea to see a doctor.<\/p>\n

Call A Lawyer<\/b><\/p>\n

Talk to a lawyer before talking to anyone else about the accident. A lawyer knows how to help you.<\/p>\n

Missouri Accident Reports<\/b><\/p>\n

It is Missouri law that you must file a written report with the Department of Revenue if these things happen:<\/p>\n