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Taking the right steps after a car accident can help you if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. Documenting the scene, reporting the accident to the proper entities, and taking photos are all vital to your case. It’s also important that you avoid certain actions to help protect your case, like posting photos to social media. South Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning that the person at fault for the accident is liable for the subsequent injuries and property damage, and taking the proper steps can help prove a case in court.
At the Scene of the Accident
Accident scenes are stressful and hectic. You may not know what to do after an accident, especially if you’ve never been in one before. While you ultimately may need to call a South Carolina car accident lawyer, the following tips can help you navigate the chaos and protect your interests in the meantime.
Call for Medical Help
The first step after a car accident is to assess yourself, passengers, and other motorists or pedestrians for life-threatening injuries. Call for emergency help and relay the details you know, for example lacerations, broken bones, or head trauma. Medical professionals are trained to assess and treat injuries immediately after an accident when shock can sometimes mask the pain, and can diagnose a medical emergency like internal bleeding. But even if there appear to be no injuries or they are minor, calling for an ambulance is a good idea and often serves as the first step in documenting injuries. Be sure to follow the paramedics’ advice, especially if they recommend going to the hospital.
Call the Police
You do not need to file a police report after a car accident in South Carolina unless it meets certain criteria. If there are injuries or deaths, or the property damage exceeds $1,000, then the accident must be reported by providing a written statement to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident. Failing to abide by these South Carolina car accident laws may result in license suspension or being charged with a hit-and-run.
Even if the accident is minor, you may want to consider filing a police report anyway. This can help protect you in the event of injuries that surface later, or if the property damage estimates are higher than you anticipate. Formally documenting the accident can also be helpful for liability disputes and investigations. Police will arrive at most accident scenes along with emergency personnel.
Collect Information
It’s vital to take down all of the other driver’s information and provide them yours. Your insurance company and attorney will need the facts you collect at the scene so that insurance providers and the state DMV are properly notified. Collect the following information from other motorists:
- Full name
- Contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Make, model, and color of the vehicle
Take Photos/Video
While the reporting police officer will note details of the accident scene and may even provide an explanation of what they feel happened, it’s still important for you to take photos and videos of the scene to serve as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit. These photos also come into play if the cause of the accident needs investigating further. Common causes of car accidents include drunk or aggressive driving, but not all causes are as easy to prove. If a car accident lawyer in South Carolina is assisting with your case, supplying them the photos of the scene can help pinpoint areas to investigate further.
Actions Following the Accident
There are several additional steps to take once you step away from the scene of the car accident. Use the following as a guide, and remember that a South Carolina car accident lawyer can provide guidance along the way.
Photograph Injuries
Some car accident injuries take time to develop. For example, it can take several days for the full extent of bruising to emerge. Aches and pains that indicate additional injuries can take time to develop as well. Photos of the injuries are an excellent way to show the court what you’ve experienced in the days and weeks following the accident.
See a Healthcare Provider
In addition to photos, obtain your medical records from the healthcare provider who evaluates your injuries. Visit a primary care physician, an urgent care clinic, or the emergency room for help treating and documenting any injuries. This provider can refer you to the proper specialists so you can begin your care and start healing as soon as possible. Consulting medical providers helps reveal the extent of the harm caused by the collision, and documentation helps you and your car accident lawyer calculate damages in South Carolina court filings.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in South Carolina
Do you need a lawyer for a car accident? South Carolina car accident laws can be tricky to navigate without one. A car accident lawyer understands the process and can help prove liability, meet legal deadlines, collect and preserve evidence, follow up with witnesses, make sure you get adequate medical care, and file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured in a wreck and need help we want to hear your story. Contact Bell Legal Group today by phone or online to get started.