What should I do after my car accident in South Carolina?
Our Lexington, SC car accident lawyers explain what to do to protect your rights
Dealing with a car accident in Lexington or Columbia, SC caused by another driver? Not sure what to do next? Our experienced Lexington car accident attorneys at Johnson + Johnson Attorneys at Law created this page to provide you with some general information.
We know how confusing car accidents can be for many people, especially if you’ve never been involved in one before. You might not even be aware of the options available to you. That’s why we want to meet with you and guide you through the process, step by step.
We know what to do because we have extensive experience handling complex legal cases. We also know the area well and we know South Carolina’s laws since our attorneys – brothers Kevin and Steven Johnson – were born and raised in Lexington. To us, what we do is more than just a job. It’s about helping our friends and neighbors when they need us most.
What to do after a car accident
The following list of suggestions for what to do after your car accident should simply be used as a general guide, and not taken as legal advice, because each car accident is different. If you need specific advice, please contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. We would be honored to help you.
- Call the police – Ask the police to respond to your accident. That way, you’ll have an official record of exactly what happened.
- Get medical attention – If you believe you were hurt, ask the police to send an ambulance. If your accident happened several hours or days ago, see your doctor right away. You could have a life-threatening internal injury and not know it.
- Take pictures – If possible, take pictures of the scene before the vehicles are moved. These images can be critical pieces of evidence in support of your case.
- Talk to witnesses – If someone saw your car accident, their testimony can be a valuable piece of evidence. Make sure to get the witness’ name, address and phone number so you or anyone else investigating your crash can contact them later.
- Get personal information – If you’re healthy enough to do so, get the other driver’s full name, address, phone number and insurance information. Feel free to provide the same information to the other driver.
- Keep comments brief – While you might be tempted to talk to the other driver, don’t. Anything you say could be used to reduce or deny your accident claim.
- Contact insurance company – Tell your insurance company you have been in a car accident. Again, don’t go into too much detail. Even if the accident was not your fault, leave specifics out of the conversation. While your insurance company might seem like your friend, it’s always good to be cautious at first.
- Contact our law firm – Talk to an attorney at our law firm as soon as possible. We know the law and understand how the legal system works here.
Complications can arise if the other driver flees the scene. If it was a hit-and-run accident, it is especially important that you follow the guide above. Documenting any details like the license plate or make and model of the car of the driver that hit you are critical. Don’t pursue a hit-and-run driver – leave that to the police.
Every accident is different. You could be involved in a head-on collision or rear-end accident. Know what to expect. Talk to lawyer to learn more about your legal options. We can help.
What to do if you were at fault
If you find yourself in a situation where you could be found at fault for an accident, it's important to proceed carefully. When interacting with others involved in the accident, avoid discussing details about what happened. Cooperate with police and contact your insurance provider, but stick to the basic facts. Don’t admit to any fault.
Then speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. They can handle all communications with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf.
How to get your police report
After a car accident in South Carolina, the police report typically becomes available after 24 hours through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). You have three ways of getting a copy of the police report (there is a processing fee):
- You can visit the SCDMV in person
- You can request the form online at SCDMVonline.com
- You can request a copy of the report through the mail. You must fill out the FR-50 form and mail it to:
SCDMV
Titles Mail-in Unit FR-50
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0050
How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance company?
In South Carolina, you must report a car accident to your insurance company promptly, ideally right after the incident occurs. Even if it was a minor accident, timely reporting is crucial. Waiting too long can make filing a claim with the insurance company more complicated..
When you delay reporting, it becomes easier for insurers to question the sequence of events or attribute injuries to causes other than the accident. This can significantly impact your ability to recover financial compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of the accident.
Be sure to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Let them know that you were involved in an accident and whether there were any injuries. Then consult an experienced attorney.
Get serious about your car accident. Get Johnson + Johnson for justice.
You might think you don’t need an attorney if another driver clearly caused your crash. The reality is many car accidents turn out to be far more complicated. The driver who caused your accident may deny doing anything wrong. Or they may even try to blame you. Worst of all, their insurance company might believe them and deny their claim.
Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. We know how they think. We know how to negotiate with them. If they refuse to cooperate, we can file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf. Contact our law firm to learn more about how we can help you.
Johnson + Johnson – a new class of attorney, setting a new standard for excellence.
