After a car accident, you likely have a million things running through your mind. You may already know that you could be entitled to recover significant compensation for your injuries if someone else was at fault. But what happens if you were the one who caused the accident?
You could find yourself on the hook for the other driver’s property damage, medical bills, and pain and suffering, in addition to your own losses. However, all hope is not lost. There may still be a way to recover compensation for your injuries even if you were partly to blame for the accident.
Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about handling a car accident when you may have been at fault.
Consequences of Being At-Fault For a Car Accident in Missouri
If you are at fault for a car accident, you may be responsible for the other driver’s damages.
This includes both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
In Missouri, drivers are required to carry liability insurance. This insurance would pay for any damages you cause, up to the policy limits. If the damage you caused was more than the financial limits of your policy, you could be held personally liable for the difference.
However, it is essential to remember that liability after a car accident is not always straightforward. There are many instances in which the drivers may share the fault. If you are only partly to blame for your accident, you might still be entitled to recover compensation from the other driver.
This is why it is crucial to have the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer after an accident. Not only can your lawyer help you get compensation for your injuries, but they can also help defend you against tactics used by the other driver to unfairly blame you.
What to Do After an Accident When You Think You May Have Been at Fault
Knowing what to do after a car accident is important, especially if you think (or know) that you were at fault. Following the tips below can protect your rights and preserve your ability to recover compensation from the other driver. If you believe you were at fault for a car accident, you should:
Remain at the Scene
Never flee the scene of an accident, even if you think you may have been at fault. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Missouri, and you could find yourself facing felony charges in some cases. This could result in serious fines and substantial jail time if you are convicted.
Instead, you should remain at the scene and check yourself and others for injuries. If needed, call 911 for emergency medical treatment. At a minimum, you should exchange information with the other driver, including their name, address, phone number, and insurance details.
However, you should NOT say anything to the other driver that suggests you are admitting fault. Even statements such as “I’m sorry” could be used against you later. Be polite, but avoid discussing what you think caused the accident with the other driver.
Notify the Police
Most car accidents in Missouri must be reported to the police anyway, so go ahead and call the police after your accident. The police will respond to the scene to create an accident report and perform an initial investigation of the accident. If the other driver is acting aggressively, simply do your best to avoid them and wait for the police to arrive.
Upon arrival, the police will do their best to determine what happened. They will ask you for your version of the facts. You should always be honest and truthful, but avoid adding unnecessary details that could be used to pin the fault on you. Anything you say could potentially be used against you later.
Gather Evidence from the Scene
Evidence from the scene can be crucial to proving who was at fault for your accident. This may include photos of the vehicles as well as photos of the scene itself. You can also make detailed notes about any weather conditions or other factors that may have contributed to the accident. If there are any witnesses, obtain their names and contact information in case their testimony is required.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Go ahead and notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. This is especially important when you believe you may have been at fault. You don’t need to provide a full statement of what happened yet, but you should at least inform them that an accident occurred.
Get Help from a Car Accident Lawyer
Getting help from an experienced lawyer can be crucial to protecting your rights after an accident. Your lawyer will perform a full investigation of the accident to determine exactly what happened and who was at fault. Additionally, they can help defend you against the blame. Even if you think you were at fault, having a lawyer on your side can be very beneficial.
What if You Share Some of the Fault?
If you’re partially at fault for your car crash, Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule could affect the amount of compensation you are eligible for. Under this rule, each driver is generally responsible for their portion of the fault, and you may still be able to recover damages even if you are partly to blame.
For instance, imagine you are hurt in a car accident, but the jury finds that you were 30% responsible for the crash due to your own negligence. You would likely still be entitled to recover 70% of your damages from the other driver.
Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The experienced team at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help explore your options for getting compensation after an accident, even if you were partially at fault.
For more information, please contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, today. We have two convenient locations in Missouri, including St. Louis and Richmond Heights.
We proudly serve St. Louis County and its surrounding areas.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
10 S Broadway #560
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 932-1066
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Richmond Heights Office
1034 S Brentwood Blvd Penthouse 1-C
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
(314) 463-4173
