It is in your best interests to report a car accident immediately. In South Carolina, you have up to 15 days to report an auto crash to police if it involves an injury, fatality, or property damage. Also, you have up to three years from the date of a South Carolina car accident to seek damages as part of a personal injury claim.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we can help you pursue compensation from anyone responsible for your auto accident in South Carolina. To learn more, please get in touch with us. We can walk you through the process of filing a car accident lawsuit.
The Process to Report an Auto Accident to Police Is Simple
As soon as you get in a car accident in South Carolina, make sure you and anyone else involved in the incident is OK. From here, call 911, and medical personnel and police officers will arrive on the scene. You can then share details about your collision with police officers, and they can put together a report.
When police come to the scene of your accident, they will collect statements from you and anyone else involved. They will ask you questions to find out what happened that led to your crash. You can then request a collision report from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
The SCDMV’s collision report may be more detailed than the report you receive from police officers on the date of your car crash. By collecting your collision report, a police report from the accident report, and other evidence, you can show that someone else’s negligence may have caused your collision. You can use your evidence to seek compensation as part of a personal injury or accident case.
Report Your Car Accident, Even if No One Appears to Be Injured
In 2021, there were 5.4 million medically consulted injuries reported in the United States, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). These injuries ranged in terms of severity. Injuries that people can suffer in car accidents include:
- Bone fracture
- Concussion
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash
The symptoms of a car crash injury may not crop up right away. For example, you may feel neck and back pain in the days following your accident. If you did not report the collision to the police, it may be difficult to get compensation from the negligent motorist who caused the incident.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we can connect you with an experienced personal injury lawyer. To get started, please reach out to us. Our lawyer will make sure that you ask for compensation from anyone responsible for your car crash injuries.
The Person Responsible for Your Car Accident Injuries May Offer a Lowball Settlement
You can exchange contact and insurance information with the negligent motorist who caused your auto accident, regardless of whether you report the incident. If this motorist realizes that they are fully responsible for your crash, they may offer a settlement. It may be tempting to accept a settlement offer, but doing so may do more harm than good.
A settlement offer allows you to get money based on your auto collision. The offer you get from the at-fault party may only be a portion of what you could receive if you move forward with a lawsuit. By meeting with a Charleston car accident lawyer, you can go over a settlement proposal with someone who knows the ins and outs of local laws.
The best South Carolina car accident attorney can provide you with a wide range of legal resources. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of accepting a settlement offer versus filing a personal injury claim. Ultimately, if you want to get the most compensation possible, it pays to hire an attorney who can help you do just that.
How Reporting Your Car Accident Can Help You Win or Settle Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
When you report an auto crash, you have evidence that can be presented to a judge or jury. For instance, your collision report details what happened during your collision. It can include information that compels a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
A car accident lawyer in South Carolina can help you collect reports relating to your accident and other pieces of evidence. They may use photos and videos from the crash scene to support your request for damages. Your lawyer may rely on witnesses to share testimony of what they saw occur during your collision as well.
If you have a top-notch car accident attorney in South Carolina at your side, you can share a wealth of evidence with a judge or jury. The evidence you offer can help you get fair compensation from the at-fault motorist. On top of that, it may help you resolve your case without a trial.
You Can Negotiate a Settlement Before Your Trial Date
Negotiations between the plaintiff and defendant in a car crash lawsuit can last weeks or months. Your attorney can go back and forth with the defendant’s lawyer. They can work together to come up with a settlement that meets the needs of both parties.
Your lawyer can answer frequently asked questions about settlement negotiations in car accident cases and other legal topics. If you get a settlement proposal from the defendant in your case, your attorney will notify you. At this point, you have the opportunity to review a settlement offer and decide what to do with it.
If you are not fully satisfied with an auto collision settlement offer, you can decline it. Your lawyer can continue to negotiate until your case goes to trial. They will also work with you to strengthen your case.
Do Not Wait to Report a Car Accident in South Carolina
If you have been in an auto accident in South Carolina that occurs due to no fault of your own, the team at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you out. For more information or to request a free case evaluation, please contact us today.
