The moments after a car crash are often confusing and overwhelming. Even seemingly minor collisions can lead to injuries, insurance disputes, and long-term consequences if early steps are mishandled. In South Carolina, what you do during the first 72 hours after a crash can significantly impact your physical recovery, financial protection, and legal rights.
Taking the right actions early helps preserve evidence, protect your health, and prevent insurance companies from controlling the narrative before you understand the full scope of your injuries.
Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health should always come first. After a crash, call 911 to report the collision and request medical assistance, even if you believe your injuries are minor.
Many car crash injuries, including concussions, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries, may not present symptoms right away. Adrenaline can mask pain, and delays in treatment can allow injuries to worsen.
Within the first 24 hours, you should:
- Allow emergency responders to evaluate you at the scene.
- Seek follow-up care from a hospital, urgent care center, or your primary physician.
- Follow all medical recommendations and attend any referred appointments.
Prompt medical documentation creates a clear link between the crash and your injuries, which is critical if an insurance claim or legal action becomes necessary.
Document The Scene and Preserve Evidence
If you are physically able, gathering information at the scene strengthens your position later. Evidence can disappear quickly, and memories fade.
Important steps include:
- Taking photos or videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and visible injuries.
- Collecting names and contact information from witnesses.
- Exchanging insurance and contact details with other drivers.
- Noting the time, location, and weather conditions.
If law enforcement responds, request a copy of the police report or instructions on how to obtain it. This report often becomes a foundational document in car crash claims.
Avoid Statements That Could Be Used Against You
In the hours following a crash, emotions run high. What you say can later be taken out of context.
To protect yourself:
- Do not admit fault or speculate about what caused the crash.
- Avoid discussing the incident on social media.
- Decline to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters before seeking legal guidance.
Insurance companies often contact victims quickly, seeking statements that minimize their liability. You are not required to give a recorded statement immediately.
Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully
South Carolina drivers are generally required to notify their insurance provider of a collision. However, notification does not mean providing detailed statements or accepting fault.
When reporting the crash:
- Stick to basic facts, such as the date, location, and vehicles involved.
- Avoid offering opinions about injuries or fault.
- Do not accept settlement offers within the first few days.
Early settlement offers rarely reflect the actual cost of injuries, especially when medical treatment is ongoing.
Monitor Symptoms and Follow Medical Advice
In the days following a crash, pay close attention to your physical and emotional condition. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, back pain, numbness, anxiety, or sleep disturbances may emerge hours or days later.
During the first 72 hours:
- Keep a record of symptoms as they develop.
- Attend all follow-up appointments.
- Save copies of medical bills, prescriptions, and treatment plans.
Consistent treatment demonstrates that your injuries are serious and ongoing, not minor or unrelated.
Consider Speaking with a Car Accident Attorney Early
Consulting with a car accident attorney within the first few days can help protect your rights before mistakes are made. An attorney can manage insurance communications, preserve evidence, and evaluate whether additional parties may be liable.
Early legal guidance can be critical if:
- Injuries are severe or worsening.
- Multiple vehicles are involved.
- A commercial vehicle or rideshare driver was involved.
- Fault is being disputed.
- An insurance company pressures you to settle quickly.
The first 72 hours after a car crash are about protection. Protecting your health, your evidence, and your future. Taking these steps early puts you in the strongest position to recover, physically and financially, under South Carolina law.
Speak With Our South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you were injured in a car crash anywhere in South Carolina, you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. The steps you take in the first 72 hours can shape your recovery, your finances, and your future.
Call (803) 258-6199 to speak with our experienced car accident attorneys at David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers. We offer consultations to help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and take the next step toward securing the compensation you deserve.