Motorists in South Carolina may experience a great deal of stress and shock in the aftermath of a traffic accident. But maintaining a calm head is needed to protect all parties from further harm and prepare them for the inevitable dealings with law enforcement and insurance companies. Individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents will do well to keep a few tips in mind after the accident.
Pay attention to injuries
Many accident victims make the mistake of assuming that the injuries they sustain are not a cause for worry. The soreness or lack of motion experienced by an accident victim could be the symptoms of a soft tissue injury. These injuries can grow progressively worse with time as the injured driver continues to wait for signs of improvement. Drivers should take the stance that all accident injuries warrant medical attention.
Do not procrastinate
Motor vehicle accident victims do not have limitless time to protect their rights and interests after a traffic accident. The state allows three years for victims to file personal injury lawsuits in most cases. In addition to the statute of limitation, the success of a case can become dependent upon:
- Prompt injury diagnosis
- The collection of evidence that may not be available later
- Sufficient time for an attorney to prepare a case
Talking too much
Accident victims sometimes find it difficult to understand that insurance companies are not a member of their team. The job of an insurance adjuster is to protect the assets of their employer. One way to complete this objective is to limit the money paid to accident settlements. Accident victims often trust adjusters too much during conversation and provide information that can hurt their case.
Admitting fault
Accident victims will talk to police officers, witnesses and other drivers in the aftermath of an accident. An inadvertent admission of guilt during one of these conversations can have negative consequences on potential accident compensation.
An accident on the road is stressful for everyone involved, and the stress may increase in the days, weeks and months following an accident. A personal injury attorney may be helpful for accident victims as they navigate the accident claims process.