Knowing the steps to take after a car accident means knowing what to do—and what not to do.
There are things you shouldn’t do when you’re in a car accident. These mistakes can jeopardize your case, making it harder for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Jordan Law Center explains what not to do after a car accident in South Carolina.
12 Things Not To Do After a Car Accident in South Carolina
1. Leave the scene
Accident reporting is mandatory in South Carolina. Any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must report it. Even if you’re not at fault, this duty falls on all drivers involved in the crash. You must use the quickest form of communication. The agency that receives the report varies based on where the accident occurred. Responding agencies may include local police, county sheriff, or the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Not only is accident reporting required by law, but it is also the first step in getting justice for accident victims. Law enforcement officers are trained to investigate accidents and are a valuable resource for documenting the accident and collecting valuable evidence.
2. Refuse medical attention
You may be injured and not realize it or your injuries may be more serious than you realize. Getting medical attention can be important for your health and well-being. It also creates a record that your injuries are from the accident. Medical care identifies the full extent of your injuries, establishing the basis of your case for compensation.
3. Say you’re sorry
As the person seeking compensation, the things that you say outside of court are admissible in your case. It may seem nice to say sorry at the accident scene. However, that can be taken as an admission of fault. You don’t want to have to explain later what you meant by apologizing. It’s best not to say sorry or anything similar as you wait for law enforcement to respond to the accident.
4. Admit it’s your fault
Similar to not saying you’re sorry, you don’t want to make any admission of guilt. It might seem obvious what happened and whose fault it is, but there may be factors you aren’t aware of. The law can be complex and so can the things that lead up to a car accident.
Your car accident lawyer will investigate. A lawyer can identify parties that may have fault and can conduct research and accident reconstruction. If you make admissions of fault, proving your case for compensation can become more complicated
5. Yell or be hostile with the other driver
Your demeanor at the accident scene matters. It can be hard to stay calm when an accident occurs. However, yelling at the other driver or escalating hostilities isn’t going to help. Even if the other driver is at fault and if you have serious injuries, focus on your medical attention and your immediate well-being. You may ask the other driver for their driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle information, but don’t confront them or escalate hostile behavior.
6. Give too much information
The police may ask you for information. You must provide your details and should tell the officer if you are already aware that you are injured. It’s important not to speculate about what happened. Be polite to the officer. However, don’t try to answer questions you don’t know. Answer only the questions asked.
7. Delay reporting to the insurance company
Report the accident to the insurance company as soon as possible. Your medical care comes first, but the next priority is informing the insurance company about the accident. You don’t need to have complete information, such as the full extent of losses when you make the report. Most insurance companies allow you to make the report online or through their app.
8. Tell the insurance company your injuries are minor
Don’t downplay your injuries to the insurance company. Injuries may be severe if they impact bodily function, are disfiguring, or interfere with your life. You may want to believe that your injuries are minor, but it can take time to know for certain.
9. Leave evidence uncollected
Car accident claims are based on evidence. It’s important to gather the evidence to the extent that you are able. Of course, your physical safety comes first. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way to collect evidence or take pictures. Prioritize your medical attention.
Once you’ve addressed those things, gather evidence at the scene. Take photographs of the vehicles, their positions on the road, and the road itself. Save damaged personal property and photograph any visible injuries.
10. Post on social media
It may be tempting to share on social media that you were in a car accident and are okay. It’s best not to say anything about the accident at all. Even just posting about the accident could be seen as proof that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. You may make statements without realizing that they can hurt you with your settlement or in court. It’s best to take a break from social media following a car accident.
11. Ignore your treatment plan
Failing to do all you can to heal from your injuries can hurt your car accident compensation. You won’t be compensated for damages that could have been mitigated. For example, if the doctor says to rest for several weeks and you’re seen doing strenuous activity, it may hurt your case. Follow the treatment plan provided by your doctors
12. Accept a settlement right away
You may want to resolve the car accident by accepting a settlement right away. But that can mean getting less than you deserve. Acting too fast may mean getting too little.
Talk to a Lawyer
One thing you should do as soon as possible after a car accident is to hire a lawyer. At Jordan Law Center, we take care of everything so you don’t have to worry about what not to do after a car accident in South Carolina.
Call [phone[ or message us now.
“There is not enough GREAT THINGS I could say about Jordan Law Center.”