If you get into a car accident caused by a negligent motorist, try to remain calm, cool, and collected. Make sure the other driver is OK and call 911 for help. Get the other motorist’s contact, driver’s license, and insurance information, and reach out to a North Charleston car accident lawyer who can help you pursue damages.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has a wealth of experience with auto accident cases. Our South Carolina car accident attorney can help you determine what to do to get compensation from anyone responsible for your collision. To learn more, reach out to us.
Things to Say to the Other Driver After a Car Accident
Be brief in your conversations with the other driver in your auto crash. The best thing you can do is make sure the motorist is safe and work with them to get the help you need in the initial moments after your collision. Some of the best things you can say to a driver who slams their vehicle into yours include:
- “How are you feeling?”
- “I am glad you are OK.”
- “What can I do to help you?”
Along with saying these things, ask the driver for information you can use to file an insurance claim. You will need the motorist’s full name, driver’s license number, insurance policy information, and other relevant details. Notify your insurer about your crash, and they can work with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to help you get compensation for a catastrophic injury or any other losses you incurred.
What Not to Say to the Other Driver After a Car Accident
Do not — under any circumstances — accept responsibility for your auto crash. If you accept some or full responsibility, you could compromise your ability to get damages. Some of the things you should avoid saying to the other driver include:
- “The crash was my fault.”
- “I am not hurt.”
- “There is no need to file an insurance claim.”
One of the best things you can do immediately following your collision is call 911. This will bring medical personnel and police officers to your accident scene. Medical professionals can treat you and anyone else who was injured, and police officers can gather information to use in a collision report.
Why You Should Not Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
If you drive a car in South Carolina, you are legally required to have auto insurance. The driver responsible for your auto crash may have insurance coverage. To take advantage of this, you can notify your insurer and let them handle your claim on your behalf.
Even if you tell your insurance provider about your accident, the at-fault driver’s insurer may still reach out to you. This company is focused on protecting the other motorist and its own bottom line. As such, it may contact you in the hopes that you will accept responsibility for your collision.
Rather than speak to the other driver’s insurance company, partner with an auto accident lawyer. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we can walk you through the insurance claims process and put you in the best position to secure compensation. To find out more, get in touch with us.
What to Do if the Other Motorist’s Insurance Company Reaches Out to You
Expect a call from the other driver’s insurance company. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to take this call without putting your ability to get damages in danger. These include:
- Do not speak about your accident. Let the insurance representative know you are unwilling to discuss your accident, and if they have any questions, to contact your lawyer.
- Do not agree to be recorded. If an insurance spokesperson asks to record your conversation, you can decline this request without penalty.
- Know your rights. If an insurance employee pressures you to speak about your accident, remember this: you are not legally obligated to do so and can hang up on the call at any time.
There are times when an insurer may offer a car accident settlement. For example, an at-fault motorist’s insurer may contact you just days after your collision and give you an offer. If this happens, do not accept the proposal since doing so may cause you to miss out on the compensation you need to cover all of your losses.
How to Respond to a Car Accident Settlement Offer
When an at-fault driver or their insurance company proposes a settlement, you may be tempted to accept it right away. Doing so allows you to forgo a claims process that may take weeks or months to complete. Plus, this enables you to get money you can use to treat your injuries and repair your car.
Ultimately, the settlement offer you receive only days after your collision may not cover 100% of your losses. Instead of approving the proposal, consult with an attorney. Then, you and your lawyer can weigh all of your options, and you can make an informed decision about the offer.
An initial settlement proposal may not be enough if you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other serious harm. To secure full compensation, you may need to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney can help you calculate your damages and file your lawsuit before the window in which you can do so expires.
What It Takes to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
In South Carolina, there is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you may only have up to three years from the date of your auto accident to seek damages from any at-fault parties. You can ask for compensation based on your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other quantifiable and subjective losses.
An auto crash lawyer can help you file your lawsuit and build a body of evidence to support your claim. In the meantime, they can negotiate with an at-fault driver or their insurance company. This may allow you to get compensation without having to go to trial.
If you are considering a car accident lawsuit, the team at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you out. We can review your case and go over your legal options with you. To request a free consultation, contact us today.
