As a South Carolina motorist, you share the state’s roads and interstates with drivers who may not always drive carefully or follow the rules of the road. When a car wreck occurs, you may not know which questions to ask or what to do immediately after an accident. Our Moncks Corner car accident attorneys at West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers can handle all of your legal needs, from providing the answers about building a case to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
What To Do Immediately After an Accident
When you are injured in a South Carolina car accident, call the police right away and remain at the scene. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid being struck by oncoming traffic. As you wait for the police and emergency vehicles to arrive, refrain from making any statements to the other driver, especially regarding who caused the accident.
Once the authorities arrive, you can ask for their assistance with several important actions, including:
- Recording the other driver’s insurance information
- Making a report you can obtain
- Collecting witness names and information
Our experienced car crash attorneys will also gather data about the crash, including speaking to witnesses and reviewing insurance investigator reports.
When Do I Seek Seek Medical Care After an Accident?
Your injuries may not be immediately evident after your car accident. Some types of trauma may take days to show symptoms, especially those that show no obvious signs of injury. Here are several symptoms to watch closely.
Consistent weakness
If you feel consistently weak days after the crash, this could indicate internal bleeding or tears in the chest that affect your blood flow. Delayed shock may also cause continued weakness for days afterward.
New or worsening headaches
After a car accident, an increase in headaches may point to a hidden brain injury. Whiplash can cause headaches that cause pain at the base of the skull.
Changes to your vision
After a South Carolina car accident, changes in your vision may necessitate immediate medical care. Blurred vision or changes in your pupils could indicate a concussion or other brain injury.
Seeking medical care within 24 hours of the accident can help you prevent further damage to your health.
How Do I Manage Insurance Company Communications After a South Carolina Car Accident?
Once the other driver’s insurance company becomes involved with your South Carolina car accident case, you may receive letters, phone calls, and emails requesting details about the wreck. Our attorneys will represent you in all insurance-related matters and speak to the at-fault driver’s insurance representatives.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident?
Based on your needs, we can pursue several types of damages.
Loss of wages
If you missed weeks of work or cannot return to your job because of the car accident, lost wages only add to the financial woes. A letter from your employer can provide our attorneys with proof of this financial loss.
Cost of medical bills
Medical bills are among the most costly results of a car accident. Emergency transport, triage care, multiple medical scans, and life-saving surgeries cost thousands of dollars. Future medical care should always be a factor in the settlement process as well.
Pain and suffering
After a serious car accident, your life may change forever. Limited mobility, physical pain, and the emotional turmoil you feel can destroy your quality of life. Quantifying pain and suffering is difficult, so it is important to get an experienced attorney to help assess your associated value with pain and suffering.
Punitive damages
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages punish the defendant for reckless behavior that led to the car accident.
For example, was the at-fault driver racing to beat a red light, or did they get behind the wheel after taking substances that impaired their ability to drive safely?
Bring Us Your South Carolina Car Accident Case
A serious South Carolina car accident can change your life in ways you never thought possible, but you do not have to face the future alone. Whether you need help documenting and filing your case or need to know what to do immediately after an accident to avoid legal problems later, turn to our attorneys at West Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today and let us help you win the compensation you deserve.