What to do After a Car Accident

No one considers the odds of being involved in a car accident. Yet, it’s important to be prepared and responsible. In accordance with South Carolina law, there are legal obligations and responsibilities of those on the scene. First and foremost, it’s important to stop your car and make sure that it is safely positioned near the scene of the crash. Call 9-1-1 or a local police department to report the accident. While you may be tempted to panic, try to remain calm as you assess the situation. If you notice that others are injured, provide “reasonable assistance” to them. As noted in the South Carolina Code of Laws, this might include transporting the injured person to a hospital or calling an ambulance.

Drivers involved in a car accident must also be prepared to exchange contact information with another driver(s) at the scene. Write down the name, address and insurance information of the driver(s) or owner(s) of the other vehicles involved. If any witnesses are present, it’s wise to take their name and contact number, in the event that their account of the crash is needed later. Next, consider the accident and how it happened. This may include taking pictures or asking questions such as: “How fast were the vehicles going?”, “Did one vehicle fail to yield or to use a signal?” and “Was the driver texting?”

No matter how small your injury appears to be and who is to blame for your car accident, it is wise to seek legal expertise before refusing medical care or making a recorded statement to an insurance company regarding your claim.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident in Charleston, West Ashley, James Island, or anywhere is South Carolina or Georgia, contact the Taylor Anderson Law Firm for a free evaluation of your claim.

Contact An Experienced Charleston Car Accident Lawyer

When it comes to car accidents, insurance companies and adjusters are quick to present victims with a settlement offer. Even so, the Taylor Anderson Law Firm urges individuals not make the mistake of accepting the first offer.

Time and time again, victims of car accidents agree to an early settlement provided by insurance companies, because the offer appears to be enough to cover the expenses pertaining to damages, medical care and loss of wages. Yet, suppose a person returns to work following recovery from an accident, and their pain returns? When the claim has been settled, the burden of additional medical treatment and time away from work falls on the individual.

At the Taylor Anderson Law Firm, we understand that you might be anxious to end negotiations with the insurance company. We also realize that the offer given to you might seem to be enough. Even so, with extensive experience and insight into car accident claims in South Carolina, we take into account the possibility of future medical care, including surgery and pain management. By doing so, we work to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.

To schedule an appointment for a free evaluation of your car accident claim, contact the Taylor Anderson Law Firm in Charleston today.