What Should You Do After a Car Accident

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Myrtle Beach

Call 911 to report the collision
Request emergency medical attention for injuries
Take photographs of the vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries
Obtain a copy of the accident report from the police and provide it to your car insurance company
Do not agree to give a recorded statement to any insurance company
Call an experienced Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer licensed to practice law in South Carolina

Follow these steps after you've been in a car accident in Myrtle Beach.

Call 911 and Report the Accident

When you call 911, give them the nearest address to your collision location and name any nearby landmarks, such as restaurants or malls. Tell the 911 dispatcher any injuries or pain you have. By calling 911, the emergency 911 dispatcher can send a police officer to the accident scene to investigate the collision and complete an accident report. The officer can also assist with securing the scene and directing traffic if needed. Do not move your vehicle unless required or if the police officer asks you to do so. The investigating officer and experts can assess the position of the vehicles to help them determine how the collision occurred. If you moved your car before the police arrived, it could alter important evidence and complicate the evaluation of the crash.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Obtaining emergency medical attention for injuries is very important. Often, drivers involved in a collision are overwhelmed with emotion and adrenaline and may not realize they have been injured. A person involved in a collision should always request immediate evaluation by EMS personnel or another medical provider. The 911 dispatcher can send an ambulance to the scene to assess those involved in a collision for potential injuries. However, many types of injuries cannot be observed with the naked eye, so you should strongly consider going to the emergency room, where x-rays and testing can be performed to evaluate you fully for any injuries. If you do not go to the emergency room the same day of the collision, you should go to the emergency room or an urgent care medical provider the next day if you still have any pain. If you have health insurance, you should provide your health insurance information to all hospitals and medical providers you receive treatment from and request in writing that they file your medical bills with your health insurer for payment. In South Carolina, automobile insurance carriers who provide insurance for the person who caused the collision generally do not issue any payments directly to the hospital or any medical provider, even if the hospital files a claim with the automobile insurer. You must make a claim with the automobile insurance carrier to claim compensation for your medical bills. An experienced injury attorney licensed in South Carolina can help you file the correct claim and obtain the compensation you deserve after you have been injured in a collision and received medical treatment due to another driver's negligence. If you have more questions about filing with your health insurance, please call me, and I can explain why this benefits you.

Collect Evidence and Take Photographs of the Scene

Take photographs of the vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries. If you cannot take photographs, you should ask someone you trust to take them and send them to you. Photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries are crucial pieces of evidence that can be used to prove how the collision was caused and what your injuries were. Sometimes, the at-fault driver denies responsibility, and the best way to prove the wreck was not your fault is by utilizing photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and injuries. Do not post anything about the collision on Facebook, Instagram, or other forms of social media because the insurance company or others may try to use anything you post against you later.

Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

The police officer will usually give you a copy of the FR-10 accident report at the collision scene, including the names of the drivers involved and their car insurers. You can obtain a copy of your full accident report, known as a TR-310, from the South Carolina DMV website.

Report the Collision to Your Insurance Company

You should report the collision to your own car insurance company. But do NOT agree to give a recorded statement to any insurance company, including yours. You can report all necessary information about the collision to your car insurance company without being recorded. The automobile insurance company may try to use anything said during a recorded statement against you later on. If the insurance company insists on obtaining your recording statement, you should consider obtaining an attorney to represent you during the recorded statement process.

Contact an Experienced Myrtle Beach Car Accident Attorney

An experienced car wreck attorney licensed to practice law in South Carolina can protect your interests and help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to. It can be stressful to deal with insurance companies and complete paperwork while injured. Let an experienced car wreck attorney take over the process for you so you can focus on recovering. Experienced injury attorneys know how to file a claim with the automobile insurer of the person who caused the collision and your injuries. If necessary, an experienced injury attorney can assist you by hiring experts and private investigators to prove your claim.

Brooke has helped injured people recover compensation in many different types of collisions including but not limited to the following examples:

Brooke helped a physical therapist who was injured in a collision when the at-fault driver crossed over the center line. Brooke was able to put together a future life care plan showing the treatment this person would need the rest of his life due to the collision.
Brooke helped a retired veteran who sustained a significant elbow injury requiring surgery after a Tractor-Trailer crashed into his vehicle.
Brooke helped a firefighter injured in a collision win $100,000.00 from a jury at trial after the insurance company refused to offer a fair settlement amount for several years.
Brooke helped a nurse injured in a collision win a jury verdict at trial after a hit-and-run collision involving three vehicles.

Wright Injury Law can also help with property damage if your vehicle has been damaged or totaled after an accident. Brooke can help you get your car repaired or a total loss settlement if your car is not repairable after a collision.

After being involved in a collision, many actions need to be taken; the information above describes some of those important actions. Complete the Contact Form below or Call Attorney Brooke Eaves Wright if you have questions or want more information.