Been in an Accident?
Here's What To Do Next.
The crash is behind you, but the questions are just starting.
Brown & Crouppen, P.C. covers the steps that still matter right now—even if the accident happened days or weeks ago—so you can protect your health, your money, and your rights.
Get the Help You Need
It’s common not to know what to do after a car accident, and almost no one does everything right at the scene. That’s normal. The good news is that the most important steps are the ones you can take right now.
If the other driver’s insurance company has already reached out to you, you need someone in your corner protecting your rights and interests. A personal injury lawyer can stop the insurance company from pushing a low offer before you know what your claim is worth.
Call Brown & Crouppen, P.C. at (314) 501-9510 to protect yourself, or contact our team online for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Car Accident
1. See a Doctor if You Have Not Already
Getting medical care is the single most important thing you can do right now to protect the value of your personal injury claim. Many car accident injuries—whiplash, soft tissue damage, concussions, herniated discs—don’t show symptoms right away. You may have felt fine at the scene and still have a real injury that needs care.
See your primary care doctor or visit an urgent care clinic. Tell them you were in a car accident and describe anything that has felt different since. Even small symptoms matter: headaches, neck stiffness, back pain, trouble sleeping, and brain fog.
A medical record that ties your injuries to the accident also builds the foundation of any insurance claim. Without it, the insurance company may argue that your pain started somewhere else or that you waited too long for it to be serious.
2. Don’t Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver's Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurer may have already called you—or they will soon. The adjuster handling your claim may sound friendly and ask how you’re feeling. It’s very likely they’ll ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened.
You’re not required to give them one. And in most cases, you shouldn’t—at least not yet. Anything you say in that statement can be used to reduce the value of your claim or deny it altogether.
Even a casual comment like “I’m feeling better” can be taken out of context weeks later when your medical bills tell a different story. You have every right to say, “I’m not ready to give a statement at this time.”
3. Think Twice Before Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often make their first offer fast, sometimes within days of the accident. Their speed is not generosity. It’s a strategy to close your case before a personal injury lawyer can review its full value.
A quick offer almost always comes before you know the full picture. You may not yet know how much your medical treatment will cost, how long your recovery will take, or whether your injuries will affect your ability to work down the road.
Once you accept a settlement and sign the release, you give up your right to ask for more money, even if your situation gets worse.
You don’t have to say yes on their timeline. You have time to see a doctor, talk to a lawyer, and understand what your claim may actually be worth before you agree to anything.
4. Start Organizing Your Records Now
You may already have a stack of papers piling up: medical bills, insurance letters, repair estimates, missed-work notices. That stack is your claim. The more organized you keep it, the stronger your position will be.
Here’s what to pull together:
- Medical Records and Bills: Keep every doctor visit, ER trip, prescription, imaging scan, and therapy session tied to the accident. Call your providers and request copies if you don’t have them.
- Proof of Lost Income: Compile pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or any record showing the days and wages you missed because of your injuries.
- The Accident Report: If police responded to the crash, request a copy of the accident report from the local department. This report is a key piece of evidence.
- Your Own Notes: Write down what you remember about the crash, how your injuries have changed day to day, and how the accident has affected your routine. These notes can fill gaps that medical records alone cannot.
5. Talk to a Lawyer Before You Make Any Big Decisions
You don’t need to hire anyone right now. But a conversation with a car accident lawyer before you sign a release, accept a check, or give a statement can change the outcome of your case. Brown & Crouppen, P.C. offers free consultations with no strings attached. You can learn about your options at no risk.
Most people don’t realize how much their claim may be worth until a lawyer reviews the details. A free consultation with our personal injury attorneys can give you a clear picture of your options so you can make decisions based on facts, not pressure from an insurance adjuster.
Not sure what your next move should be? Brown & Crouppen, P.C. can help you sort it out for free. Call (314) 501-9510 or contact our team online today.
What You Need To Know About Your Personal Injury Claim
The other driver’s insurance company has a financial reason to close your claim for as little as possible. Their adjusters are trained to do exactly that, and they may use your own words against you.
The adjuster may pressure you to settle before you understand the full cost of your injuries. They may question gaps in your medical treatment or argue that your injuries are not as bad as you say.
A personal injury lawyer changes the dynamic. When you have someone who knows the process sitting on your side of the table, the insurance company cannot rush you, lowball you, or use your own words against you.
Your lawyer handles the calls, reviews every offer, and makes sure you don’t give up rights you may not have even known you had.
Your Claim May Cover More Than You Think
You may be able to recover more than you think. A car accident claim can go well beyond the obvious.
Here’s what compensation may cover:
- Medical Bills: Your claim may cover ER visits, hospital stays, imaging scans, prescriptions, physical therapy, and any other care tied to the accident.
- Future Medical Care: If you need ongoing treatment like physical therapy, surgery, follow-up visits, or medication, those projected costs can be part of your claim.
- Property Damage: You may seek compensation for repairs to your vehicle, diminished value, and personal items damaged in the crash—from electronics to child car seats.
- Lost Wages: Your claim may recover compensation for the income you have already missed, plus future earning ability if your injuries keep you from working at full capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation can address the physical pain, emotional stress, and daily limitations your injuries have caused.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Your claim can even seek payment for expenses like rental cars, rideshares, household help, pharmacy co-pays, and parking at medical appointments.
You Don’t Pay Unless You Win
Brown & Crouppen, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket. We only collect a fee if it recovers money for you. There is no cost to call, no cost for the first consultation, and no risk in asking questions.
Have questions about your accident? Talk to Brown & Crouppen, P.C. today at (314) 501-9510 or fill out our online form for a free case review.
Connect With Brown & Crouppen, P.C. Today
Brown & Crouppen, P.C. is one of the Midwest’s most awarded law firms and has served clients since 1979. Our firm has recovered over one billion dollars for its clients and has taken more than 1,000 cases to trial.
With offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, St. Charles, Washington, Arnold, and Ferguson, the team handles car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and every type of personal injury claim.
Brown & Crouppen, P.C. has built its reputation on compassion, respect, and a commitment to fighting for the best possible result in every case. If you’re ready to take the next step in your car accident claim, call (314) 501-9510 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
