What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

A crash can happen in the blink of an eye, leaving you with serious or catastrophic injuries. If you have recently been in a car accident, you know how long it takes to get insurance to resolve your claim. Fortunately, key steps can be taken to help your claim move along faster. Obtaining representation can be the turning point to get the compensation rightfully owed to you.

We have seen the devastation caused by a crash, placing hardworking individuals like yourself in financial distress. Nobody should bear the financial burden caused by another’s carelessness. At Bradley Law, our Anderson, SC, car accident lawyer is here to advocate for your interests.

Move Your Vehicle to a Safe Location

Although you are understandably startled after a collision, you are at risk of being involved in a secondary collision if you do not move your vehicle to a safe location. If your car can be driven, move it to the side of the road out of the way of traffic. This will prevent traffic congestion and massive gridlock.

Call 911

After a crash, your priority should be tending to your injuries. Adrenaline may be pumping through your veins, preventing you from feeling the full extent of your injuries. If you or anyone involved in the crash is injured, call 911. Anyone who is injured will be assessed by emergency personnel who will transport them to the hospital.

Contact the Police

According to SC Code §56-5-1260, you should contact the police if there are any injuries, fatalities, or property damage that exceeds $1,000 following a crash. However, if you have already contacted 911, the 911 dispatcher will notify the police on your behalf. The officer who responds to the scene will create a crash report. This report will provide details of the crash that will be submitted with your insurance claim.

Exchange Information

Be sure to exchange the following information with the other driver following the accident:

• Your name;
• Address;
• Vehicle information: Make/model/year, VIN, and license plate number;
• Driver’s license: State of Issuance, date of birth, date of issuance, and expiration date (take a picture!); and
• Insurance information: Name of insurer, policy number, the name of your agent, and claims phone number.

South Carolina is an at-fault state, so you will most likely be filing your bodily injury claim and property damage claim through the other driver’s insurance. So, it is wise to get the name of their auto insurer and other information. Instead of attempting to write down all this information, snap a picture of the driver’s insurance card. This will avoid any claim denials in the event you write down a number inaccurately.

Gather Evidence

Any information from the accident scene can go a long way in proving liability. Car accident cases are often built around the following:

• Photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle debris, skid marks, the final resting position of the vehicles, and damage to each vehicle (close-ups and wide shots), and your injuries;
• Video footage, which may include cell phone footage, dashcams, bodycams, or surveillance cameras;
• Eyewitness testimony, including what bystanders saw or heard in the moments leading up to the crash, during, and afterward
• Cell phone records, which will show if any drivers were using their cell phone at the time of the crash, and the
• Crash report (if the police did not respond to the scene, you must file a crash report with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) within 15 days of the incident).

Reach Out to Our Anderson, SC, Car Accident Lawyer

As soon as possible, obtain experienced representation. At Bradley Law, our Anderson, SC, car accident attorney brings knowledge and a successful track record to the table. Attorney T. Matthew Bradley will conduct an independent investigation into your matter, gather evidence and information, and negotiate with insurance for you. We understand exactly what is at stake, and we refuse to settle for anything less than you deserve.

Our Anderson, SC, Car Accident Attorney Providing Fierce Advocacy

The moments after a crash are among the most important in protecting your legal and financial rights. We stand dedicated to providing unparalleled counsel to car accident victims and are eager to assist you. If you or a family member has recently been involved in a collision, Bradley Law would like to hear from you. To schedule your free consultation with our Anderson, SC, car accident lawyer, we can be reached online or by phone.