Is there anything to before calling an electrician when an outlet goes out and takes several outlets with it. I believed the original blown outlet was overloaded and blew. Other outlets on the same side of the blown outlet are now out.

Receptacles actually do not get "overloaded" and blow.

There is most likely a bad connection in one of the receptacle on that circuit. This is causing the downstream receptacles to not work.

ONLY IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE with it you can shut off the circuit, test each device for power (at the wires), and check the connections.
If the wires are just stuck in the holes in the back you should move them to the side screws.
Turn the circuit back on and check your work.