Surviving the legalities of a car accident in Kansas City

June 04, 2013

Everyone dreads the tell-tale sound of screeching brakes because it often means that someone is about to be involved in a car accident.

According to the most recent statistics available from the Kansas Department of Transportation, there were more than 10,000 accidents reported in Johnson County alone. Almost 3,000 people were injured in those accidents and 20 people suffered fatal injuries. Because a motor vehicle accident can occur at any time, it is important to remain calm and remember that there are several things that you need to do in order to put your best legal foot forward.

Call law enforcement

If your accident is more than just a simple fender bender you should call law enforcement in order to get a traffic accident report written up. An accident report can be used as legal evidence should you need to file an appeal for a denied insurance claim or pursue the driver at fault for compensation.

You should also make a note of the name of the officer who arrived at the scene, including his badge number, and the number of the police report filed on the report. You will also want to get a copy of that police report for your records.

Collect information

Any person who saw the accident occur can be a potential witness in a future legal action, so it is important to talk to anyone at the scene and collect the following information:
- Names of the other drivers involved
- Names of witnesses
- Contact information
- Insurance information on other drivers
- License plate numbers of all vehicles involved
- Distance and skid mark measurements

If you have a camera on your cell phone, take pictures of the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles, any skid marks, injuries, and the scene as a whole. These pictures can later be used as potential evidence to corroborate your story and claims.

Don't admit guilt of any kind

When an accident occurs, confusion over what happened is common. Therefore, avoid saying anything that could legally be used against you, such as apologizing for the accident, public statements that imply possible guilt and any statement that could be misunderstood by others. Be honest with law enforcement in answering their questions but don't volunteer information or make statements you are not sure of.

This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. The proper course of action may differ depending upon the particular facts of a case. If you were involved in an accident, it is a good idea to meet with an experienced car accident attorney to learn how the legal process works, especially if you have severe injuries that will require additional medical attention or your vehicle was totaled. An attorney can make sure that your legal rights are protected and your side of the story is told, and can help you seek needed compensation. Many will even provide an initial consultation at no charge.

Article provided by Goza & Honnold, L.L.C.
Visit us at www.gohonlaw.com