Apparently, a man is recovering from an auto accident at Interstate 255 and Route 3 in Dupo, Illinois. According to reports, two cars were involved in an accident near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge yesterday around 8:30 p.m. Traffic was backed up for a time, but apparently not directly because of the auto accident but because a man fell from the bridge. According to reports, after the I-255 accident, one of the individuals involved tried to climb a barrier and then fell approximately 50 feet.
At the time of the article, it was not known why the individual was trying to climb a barrier. It has been stated that the individual was severely injured as a result of the fall.
While I do not know the conditions of the above mentioned accident other than someone was injured from a fall, it is a good opportunity to discuss actions you should take following an auto accident. Car and truck crashes from small to high impact are emotional events. When someone “bumps” you in traffic, it causes your heart to race with fear and anger. The first thoughts through your mind are fear about your safety and then the thoughts of damage and how you are going to get something repaired rush through your head. We all have experienced an auto accident of some kind. They are common for many reasons that I often discuss. In addition to the threat of physical harm, the business side of filing an insurance claim and negotiating settlement is almost always a tedious, frustrating and time consuming. If you have injuries, then the battle with your insurance company or the other party’s insurance can take months if not years.
The odds are good that in your lifetime you will be involved in an average of six auto accidents in your life….we all hope they are minor fender benders with no injuries. With those averages, it pays to prepare. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
One over-riding piece of advice always rings true after a car accident: Remain calm. This little piece of advice seems logical to most of us, however, when you have just been in a car crash, calm is the last feeling you have. First, you are scared to death and your adrenaline is pumping through your veins. Your life was threatened, so this is completely natural.
There are some things you can do today to help you be prepared for a possible auto accident of a minor nature:
- Carry a cell phone with emergency numbers programmed into the directory. In most locations, 911 does not have to be programed but you will want to easily have access to local rural authorities if you are in a rural area
- Keep a copy your insurance information. Anymore, you can scan your insurance information directly onto your phone.
- Download an application to help you remember to get the important information following a car accident. When emotions are running high, it is hard to remember that you need all witnesses’ names and to take pictures. Download “Injury Attorney”, our free application that gives you step by step guidelines on what information you need to file an insurance claim or to later file a personal injury case if needed. Also, our application gives you quick access to local emergency numbers, hospitals, tow services and cabs.
- Calmly give the facts of the incident to the reporting officer. Your “I feel” or “I think” statements are not helpful to the officer reporting. Simply give the officer a description of the actions that took place. The officer is trying to document the accident and get emergency medical assistance to anyone needing it. As well, they are concerned about getting traffic moving again if the accident happens on a road that is traveled frequently.
At The Cagle Law Firm, we represent seriously injured victims of accidents. Because the insurance claim process is so complex and time intensive, an injured person lacks the legal knowledge and quite frankly, the energy to negotiate for months and months with their or the other party’s insurance company. After a crash where you are injured, you are trying to put your life back together in addition to trying to physically heal. Insurance companies have attorneys on their side and as an individual, you need an attorney as well jus to be sure that you are treated fairly.
At our firm, we answer calls seven days a week. Not every person that calls needs an attorney, but we can help them determine that in a short amount of time. Information is power so you will want all of the information on your side that you can get. Call (314) 276-1681 locally and (800) 685-3302 toll free for a free consultation.
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