Being involved in an accident or collision is upsetting. If you are in one, it is advisable to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you understand your rights to compensation or protect yourself against a false claim.
Why is it important to look into how to find a good car accident lawyer so soon? The reality is that the financial repercussions of an accident, particularly when you have been injured, can begin almost immediately, often with a missed paycheck because you’re unable to work.
Contacting an experienced lawyer can safeguard your financial position and allow your legal representation to begin collecting evidence right away while providing support and guidance while you recover.
Do I Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Not every collision results in a personal injury or financial claim for damage caused to a vehicle or property. Still, many do. An experienced lawyer can have a considerable impact on the outcomes.
It is also vital to comply with state requirements for reporting accidents. Doing so while the incident is fresh in your mind will help you submit a comprehensive and accurate account of what happened that could support claims you wish to file in the coming weeks.
What does a car accident lawyer do? Our role at the Strom Law Firm is to represent your rights and interests, advise you on the steps to take going forward, and start negotiations with insurance companies that will try to force a low settlement.
Many accident victims believe they are obliged to accept a settlement or may feel pressured into concluding the case. They may end up with a lower personal injury compensation payment than they are entitled to.
As your lawyers, we will examine the details of any settlement offer, calculate the actual cost of an accident, and represent your interests in the strongest possible terms.
How Quickly Should I Call an Accident Lawyer?
We always recommend that getting in touch with a lawyer be one of your top priorities after a car accident to ensure you are not exposed to covering costs such as:
- Medical expenses, treatments, and therapies
- Time away from work and lost income
- Repairing or replacing your vehicle
Witness statements and third-party accounts can be highly valuable in proving responsibility for a crash. The sooner we can gather evidence and supporting information, the more robust your case will be and the sooner we can secure a reasonable settlement payment for you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
It is normal to feel upset and shaken after a car accident. If you are worried about who to report a crash to or what information to provide, we can assist.
That said, the first thing you need to do is contact 911, particularly if the crash was serious or if someone was hurt. An emergency responder will file a report which can be used as part of our investigation process. Alternatively, you can call the non-emergency number for the local police department.
Another option, if the police could not respond or were not called, is to report the accident to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Failing to file a report can complicate your entitlement to compensation, so this is a worthwhile exercise even if you believe the crash was minor.
For example, if you begin to experience back or neck pain in the days or weeks after a collision and have not reported it, it could be more difficult to prove that the pain is a result of the accident and protect your rights to compensation.
It can be extremely helpful if you gather evidence from the accident scene, such as photos of the license plates of the vehicles involved, damage caused, traffic patterns, the intersection or road where the crash occurred, and contact information of witnesses.
Why Should I Report a Minor Crash to the DMV?
Reporting the collision, no matter how minor it may be or how obvious you believe the fault to be, is important because you may not immediately realize you have been injured.
A formal report—ideally a police report—proves the crash occurred. It details the where and when, and can provide core proof when pursuing a compensation claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
We also advise against apologizing or stating that the crash was your fault. This is a common reaction, even if you are confident you are not to blame for the accident. Another driver, or their insurer, could construe this as accepting responsibility.
In Summary
Make sure you aren’t held responsible for a car accident that was not your fault or become the target of opportunists looking to fabricate or exaggerate claims against you for their personal benefit. Call Strom Law as soon as you can after an accident to protect yourself.
