The moments after a car accident can feel chaotic. You may feel shaken, confused, or unsure what to do next. In that moment, the steps you take can affect both your health and your ability to recover damages later.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Stay at the Scene
Do not leave the scene, even if the accident seems minor. South Carolina law treats leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage as a criminal offense. If possible, move to a safer nearby spot, but do not leave the scene until law enforcement clears you to go.
2. Call 911
Call immediately, regardless of how significant the damage looks. A police report creates an official record of what happened, who was involved, and what the responding officer observed. That document often becomes critical evidence. Do not assume the other driver will be honest about what happened. Get it on record.
3. Seek Medical Attention
You may feel fine at first, but that can change quickly.
Adrenaline masks pain. Injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage often have no immediate symptoms. You can feel normal at the scene and wake up the next morning unable to move your neck.
Get evaluated the same day, by emergency responders at the scene, an urgent care clinic, or an emergency room, then follow up with your doctor.
Insurance companies routinely use delays in medical treatment to question the severity of a claim. Seeking care immediately protects both your body and your case.
4. Document Everything You Can
While you are still at the scene, use your phone to capture as much as possible.
Photograph every vehicle involved, including damage and final positions. Capture road conditions, skid marks, debris, signage, weather, and lighting. If you have visible injuries, photograph those too.
Collect the following from every driver involved: full name, contact information, driver’s license number, insurance details, and vehicle information. If anyone witnessed the accident, get their name and phone number before they leave.
Details that seem obvious right now will blur within hours. What you document at the scene may end up being the clearest record that exists.
5. Do Not Admit Fault
This is one of the most common mistakes people make, and it often happens out of politeness.
Even a simple apology like, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you,” can be used later as an admission of fault. South Carolina uses a modified comparative fault system,
meaning your compensation can be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility for the accident.
Keep conversations at the scene brief. Exchange information, stay polite, and do not discuss what caused the crash.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as you can after leaving the scene. Most policies require prompt reporting, and delays can create coverage complications.
When it comes to the other driver’s insurance company, be careful. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and those conversations are designed to protect their interests, not yours. If you are unsure what to say, speak with an attorney first.
7. Keep Details Records Going Forward
Your documentation should not stop once you leave the scene.
Track:
- Medical visits and treatments
- Bills and out-of-pocket expenses
- Missed work and lost wages
- Daily impact of your injuries — what you cannot do, how you feel, what has changed, etc.
- And save communication with insurance companies
This kind of record creates a concrete picture of how the accident has impacted you, which matters significantly when it comes time to negotiate or litigate.
8. Stay Off Social Media
Do not post about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery while your case is open.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor social media. A single photo or offhand comment can be taken out of context and used to undermine your claim. It is not worth the risk.
9. Understand Your Filing Deadline
In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that window, and you lose the right to pursue damages entirely.
Some cases may have significantly shorter deadlines. Do not assume the standard timeline applies to your situation without checking.
10. Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
Before you make any major decisions about your case, speak with an attorney.
Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams working from the moment a claim is filed. Their job is to minimize what they pay out. You deserve someone in your corner who understands how that process works and can help you navigate it.
The steps you take in the days following a crash are not just procedural — they are the foundation of your recovery, both physical and financial.
If you are ready to talk through your options, the team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm has spent more than a decade helping South Carolina accident victims do exactly that.
We are available 24/7, there is no fee unless we win, and a free case consultation costs you nothing.
