If you have been in a car accident, you may wonder what to do next. This guide will walk you through the steps that you, as the not-at-fault driver, must take both at the accident scene and when you get home. Remember, it is crucial to stay calm and collected after an accident. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately, then contact an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer with Smith Jordan Attorneys at Law.
1. Contact law enforcement
The first thing you should do after a car accident is call local law enforcement and report the accident. You must give them your name, contact information, insurance information, and a brief description of what happened. It is important to get the police involved to have an official record of the accident.
2. Seek medical help
If you are injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, it is always better to be safe and checked out by a medical professional.
3. Exchange information with the other driver
Next, you should exchange information with the other driver. You must get their name, address, phone number, and insurance information. It is important to get this information to contact their insurance company if you need to file a claim.
4. Gather photo & video evidence
It is also a good idea to take pictures of the damage to both vehicles. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well. This evidence will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
5. Contact your insurance company
Once you have gathered all this information, you should contact your car insurance company and let them know you have been in an accident. They will likely ask for the information you gave the police and the other driver. Cooperating with your insurance company is important so your claim can be processed quickly.
6. See a doctor
If you didn’t feel any injuries immediately after the accident, it is still essential to be evaluated by a medical professional. Often, car accident injuries do not manifest themselves until days or even weeks after the accident. Car accidents can often result in serious injuries such as internal bleeding, soft tissue injury, back problems, or even traumatic brain injury.
7. Document everything
You need to keep track of everything in the next few days since you will be presented with much information. Document how you feel daily to look out for long-term or delayed injuries and get a copy of the police report. This will help you keep everything in one place as you move forward.
8. Get in touch with a car accident lawyer
If you were seriously injured in a car wreck, you should hire a car accident lawyer. The insurance companies are looking out for themselves, and you need someone to look after your best interests. A Greenville car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
What should you do after a minor car accident in South Carolina?
Let’s say you’re in a minor fender-bender on Augusta Street. You feel primarily fine afterward, and a glance at your bumper has you thinking you escaped damage-free. But at the repair shop, the mechanic tells you it’ll cost $2,000 to repair the internal damage to the car – damage you couldn’t see. You don’t have the other driver’s phone number and didn’t file a police report. You’ll have to pay $2,000 out of pocket.
Or, let’s say your vehicle is acceptable, but you suffer an internal injury that doesn’t present symptoms until long after the other driver leaves the scene. Without a police report, you’ll likely have to pay out of pocket for your injury—an injury you didn’t cause.
Situations like these illustrate why you should always call the police after a crash, no matter how minor. Reporting a collision helps establish fault, opening the door to receiving compensation through a lawsuit.
You should always visit Urgent Care or your primary care doctor, no matter how minor the crash. Thanks to a rush of adrenaline and other pain-reducing hormones, injuries are not always visible in the minutes and hours following the crash.
Hurt in a car crash? Smith Jordan is ready to help.
This guide should give you a good idea of what to do after a car accident. Remember, staying calm and collected and contacting a car accident lawyer if you are having trouble is essential. If you have been injured in a car accident, we can help. Contact us today to speak with our experienced attorneys and staff, who will help you understand your legal options. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
