How Do I Properly Document a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Each year, more than 2.6 million people visit the ER for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. If you were involved in an accident, you may have suffered serious injuries, impacting your ability to work and return to your daily tasks. Proper documentation of an accident is key to recovering the compensation that you deserve. Failing to provide sufficient evidence may result in you getting a reduced claim or no compensation at all.

In this blog, our Myrtle Beach motor vehicle accident lawyer discusses what steps you should take following a collision to ensure that you receive maximum damages.

Contact the Police

Following a crash, after checking yourself for injuries, you should contact the police. In South Carolina, you are required to contact the authorities if anyone suffered an injury, was killed, or if there is at least $1,000 in property damage. The responding officer will take down basic information related to your accident, including the names of all drivers, the make/model of each vehicle involved, what injuries (if any) were sustained, and who the officer believes is at fault. Most insurance companies want a copy of the police report when you go to file your claim, so you will want to be sure to request a copy of the report for your records.

Gather Evidence

Photos of vehicle damage, property damage, and your injuries can be beneficial in piecing together how the accident unfolded. Be sure to get a wide shot of the vehicle’s final resting position since this can provide useful information about how the cars made contact. If a bystander took a video of the crash, this would be even better, showing how the accident occurred in real-time. If there were any eyewitnesses, be sure to take down their names and contact information in the event that you need to call on them later on to testify.

Keep Copies of Your Medical Records

Regardless of the severity of your injuries, keep copies of any medical imaging/laboratory testing, physician’s notes and diagnoses, and medical bills. Evidence of your injuries and treatment is essential when establishing your losses or damages. If you sustained catastrophic injuries that caused permanent disability or long-term effects, a doctor’s diagnosis may help you recover the cost of future medical treatment.

File a Self-Collision Report

If the police do not respond to the scene, you will need to file a self-collision report (FR-309). This form must be completed and returned to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of your collision. Besides detailing the names of your passengers, you will be given room to describe the crash.

Be Wary of Giving a Statement

While you may be compelled to provide YOUR insurance carrier with a statement, you do not have to, and should not, give a statement to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. It is quite typical for the at-fault party’s insurance carrier to try and make contact with you and take a statement. That carrier may then use that statement against you. Before speaking with an Insurance Carrier or Adjuster, please contact an attorney.

Consult a Myrtle Beach Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Following the proper procedures to recover your claim will save you a lot of heartache. Do not attempt to speak with the insurance company without first speaking with our Myrtle Beach motor vehicle accident lawyer. At The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, we are dedicated to helping accident victims obtain full compensation for their injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering. If you are interested in learning more or to schedule a consultation, contact us online or give us a call at your earliest convenience.