When you’ve gotten into a car crash caused by another driver, you may have the right to pursue compensation and hold that driver accountable for your harm and loss. However, taking immediate action after an accident can give you a better chance of success in your car accident claim. Knowing what to do after an accident that is not your fault in Columbia, SC, will help you obtain the financial recovery and justice you deserve.
Why Prompt Action After a Car Accident Matters
In the hours and days following a car accident, taking prompt action can help you when you pursue a legal claim against the driver(s) responsible for causing the crash. Otherwise, you may lose access to evidence or witness testimony over time. Waiting to seek medical treatment may harm the credibility of your claim, as insurers may think that your claimed injuries arose from an ongoing degenerative condition or an aggravation of a prior injury.
Furthermore, insurance companies may deny car accident claims when you wait to report the accident or file a claim. Not providing notice right away may result in the insurance company failing to find sufficient evidence to determine fault for the crash. Taking prompt action after a car accident can bolster your credibility when pursuing claims with insurance companies or against an at-fault driver.
Call the Police
The first steps you should take after a car accident include checking on everyone involved in the crash and contacting the authorities. Drivers should call 911 if someone has suffered injuries or requests medical attention. Otherwise, you can contact the police directly to report the accident.
The police may send an officer to the scene of a car accident that results in injuries or significant property damage. When an officer responds to the scene, they will write a crash report that contains information about the drivers involved in the accident, injuries and property damage, evidence from the officer’s investigation, and potentially the officer’s opinion on which driver(s) caused the accident.
Insurance companies frequently rely on the police crash report when evaluating an accident claim since the officer can provide an objective, knowledgeable perspective on the accident. Although an officer’s determination of fault for a car accident does not have a binding effect on insurance companies, it can persuade insurers to find a driver responsible for causing the crash.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
Use your cell phone to take photos or videos of the accident scene if you can safely do so. Document evidence such as skid marks on the road surface, damage sustained by the vehicles involved in the accident, weather/road/lighting conditions, traffic signs/signals, and any visual obstructions. Take photos of any visible injuries you suffered.
Get Contact Information from the Other Driver(s) and Any Eyewitnesses
Remember to collect contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the accident. Talk to any bystanders who witnessed the accident and ask them for a brief statement of what they saw and their contact information in case you need them to testify in a car accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Most importantly, you can best protect your rights and interests by seeking prompt medical attention after a car accident. Even if you refuse medical attention from paramedics at the accident scene, you should go to the hospital or the doctor’s office soon after a crash. An exam can diagnose injuries you sustained in the crash, including injuries that haven’t begun causing you pain or other symptoms.
By seeing a doctor and getting a diagnosis of your injuries soon after a car accident, you can help your injury claim. Delaying treatment may give the insurance company a reason to argue that your injuries did not occur in the accident or that you’ve suffered less severe injuries than you’ve claimed.
Keep Records of Your Injuries and Losses
Remember to keep records of your injuries and expenses throughout the recovery process. If law enforcement responded to the accident scene, request a copy of the police report. Contact your medical providers to request copies of your injury treatment and rehabilitation records. Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts for expenses you incur during your recovery, including medical car or car repairs. Finally, gather copies of pre-accident pay stubs or income statements to calculate your lost earnings if you need to take time off work or experience a reduced earning capacity due to the injuries you sustained in the car crash.
Contact the Insurance Company
Contact your and the other driver’s insurance companies immediately after a car accident to notify the insurers about the crash. You may have coverage in your policy that can compensate you for your injuries or vehicle damage, such as personal injury protection, collision, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Contacting the other driver’s insurer will notify the company of your potential claim. However, remember that the insurance adjusters work for the insurer’s interests. You can protect your interests by declining to give a written/recorded statement or refusing to sign a medical release for the insurance company, as an adjuster may use your statements or access to your medical history to undermine your accident claim.
Get Help from an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, contact a knowledgeable Columbia car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Your lawyer will advise you about your legal options for pursuing compensation for your expenses or losses, especially if an insurer denies your claim. A car accident lawyer can evaluate your right to compensation and prepare you for the next steps you will need to take to pursue your legal claims.
When you’ve suffered injuries or property damage in a car crash in Columbia, SC, get the legal help you need to navigate the claims process. A seasoned car accident attorney can help you evaluate your options for recovering compensation for medical expenses and other financial and personal losses. Call Goings Law Firm, LLC today at (803) 350-9230 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how our firm can help you secure the financial resources you need to recover from a devastating car crash.
