•Call
the police or highway patrol;
•Assist
the injured;
•Move
your vehicle to the side if obstructing traffic;
•Identify
the other driver;
•Get
names, addresses, and statements of witnesses;
•Make
notes and fill out the accident information form in pamphlet;
and
•Make
a diagram of the accident.
South
Carolina requires drivers or owners of cars involved in
accidents to report the accident within 15 days to the South
Carolina Department of Transportation. The investigating
officer will give you a form (FR-10) to fill out to prove
that you have the proper liability insurance.
Report
the accident to your insurance company. Failure to make
a prompt and correct report may affect your rights. If you
were injured, notify the company issuing the applicable
insurance (accident insurance, hospitalization, etc.) After
the accident you have a duty to cooperate with your insurance
company; however, you have no duty to give statements or
sign any forms given to you by any other drivers' insurance
companies.
Remember,
any statement may be used as an admission of fault. Be cautious
in dealing with persons offering to adjust your case or
trying to hurry you into a settlement. Once a release is
signed, it is very difficult to reopen a case. If the other
party or the opposing insurance company offers a settlement
or asks you to sign a release, you may wish to consult a
lawyer. You can lose valuable rights in signing a release.
Do
not make or promise to make immediate payment of any kind
to the other party. Any such payment would be at your own
risk. The other driver cannot force you to make any payment
without legal proceedings, nor can the other driver hold
your car without legal action. Keep records of all expenses
associated with the accident, including doctor bills, time
lost from work and any other expenses. Save copies of all
bills.
