Our David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers in Fort Mill and Rock Hill know how confusing traffic collisions can be. First, the adrenaline of the crash runs through you. Next, you are quickly surveying whether you — or any passengers in your vehicle — are okay. Then, you try to piece together what happened.
Did the other driver run a red light? Do you need to call someone to tell them you have been in an accident? Do you need medical care? Who is going to pay for your damages?
While the details can be overwhelming, there are five steps everyone should take after a vehicle collision occurs in South Carolina, which according to our South Carolina Traffic Safety Collision Fact Book, is every 3.7 seconds.
Step One: Call For Help
If you are involved in a traffic collision anywhere in South Carolina, call for help immediately after the crash occurs — if you are physically able.
If you require emergency medical care, take it.
Once law enforcement and first responders appear at the crash scene, ensure they are completing and filing a traffic accident report, you can take the next step while they survey the scene.
Step Two: Collect Evidence and Information
If you are physically capable, and your injuries do not require immediate medical care, exchange information with the other driver, including driver’s license, registration, and insurance information.
Collect statements and contact information from any eyewitnesses at the scene. The police should also include these details in their report, but ensuring the information is complete may help your case as it progresses.
Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles and where they are positioned on the roadway, any surrounding details, and your visible injuries.
Step Three: Seek Medical Care Right Away
Our York County, South Carolina personal injury attorneys cannot emphasize enough how important it is to seek medical care immediately after a car wreck occurs in South Carolina.
The reasons this is so important are:
- To ensure well-being is prioritized, all your injuries are identified, and that a medical treatment plan and timeline are put in place.
- You can focus on your physical and emotional recovery when you know the full scale of challenges you face.
- Both your economic and non-economic damages can be calculated during a personal injury claim, so you can seek the financial recovery you are entitled to for your unique injury needs.
Step Four: Do Not Speak with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is going to begin contacting you immediately after they are notified a crash with injuries occurred.
They will want to know your side of the story and will ask sneaky questions to try and manipulate your recorded statement in their favor. You do not have to speak with the insurance company until you are ready, which could take some time.
Step Five: Contact Our Skilled Car Accident Attorneys in Fort Mill and Rock Hill, South Carolina
With an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney by your side, you do not have to speak to the insurance company alone, which will ensure your rights are protected throughout your case, and that we do all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on recovery.
Contact Our Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers in South Carolina Today for a consultation
If you were hurt in a car crash or lost someone you love to another driver’s negligence, contact our experienced auto accident attorneys in Fort Mill and Rock Hill at the David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers today by calling 803-258-6199.
We provide consultations for all personal injury cases in South Carolina, and never charge any legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.