In the aftermath of a Rock Hill car accident, there are many duties and responsibilities that are suddenly thrust upon you. From seeking medical attention to determining the extent of the damage to your vehicle, these are unexpected requirements that can be stressful and time-consuming.
One essential step that you must remember to take is to file an accident report with the state of South Carolina and with your insurance company. This is a very important step that you should not avoid. Avoiding it could cost you your license and may make it difficult to recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, and suffering and emotional distress.
The law firm of Schiller & Hamilton is here to help you if you’ve been hurt in an accident. We know what goes into an accident report, and how to fill it out to make sure you are in the best position for any future claims you may have to make. If you ever have to report an accident in Rock Hill, use this information so that you can leave all the best options open. That way, you can ensure you get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.
How to Report a Car Crash to an Insurance Company
You are required by South Carolina law to report an accident that resulted in more than $1,000 in damage, injuries, or death. The form to notify the state is the FR-309, or the Traffic Collision Report.
At the same time, all drivers in the accident should report the car accident to their insurance, and they may be required to fill out further reports then. While it is well-known that you have to notify the state and your insurance company, many people aren’t sure exactly how to report a car accident once an accident has happened.
To provide the most effective report without compromising your potential to pursue a case, you should follow these steps:
- Always contact the police first.
- Get information from all drivers involved in the accident.
- Get information from any witnesses to the accident.
- Make notes that are as specific as possible about the date, time, location, weather conditions, condition of the road, and other elements of the accident. Make these as soon after the car accident as possible to make sure they are accurate.
- Take photos of the accident scene, all cars involved, and all injuries.
- Contact your insurance company.
Your insurance company will then provide you with the correct forms that you should fill out to make a claim. You should include all the basic information you have collected above, including:
- Information about your car
- Information about other vehicles and pedestrians involved in the accident
- A list of damage to property
- The names of all victims of the accident
- The names of witnesses
- A brief description of the accident as you feel it happened
- Your signature
For a South Carolina Traffic Collision Report and any reports required from your insurance company, you should make copies of all reports and documents submitted.
You may also find it useful to create your own accident report. Though the police will create a report of their own, you can use the information you have gathered to help record facts as soon as possible about the accident. You can add information about your injuries to this report after you have seen a doctor.
While it is necessary to work with your insurance company and fill out a report, you should not provide any assistance to the insurance companies of other drivers in the accident. Sharing information is an important part of the process, but do not share anything beyond your contact information, and never admit any fault in the accident. You should also avoid signing anything until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
For a free legal consultation with a filing a car accident report lawyer serving Rock Hill, call 1-803-366-0333
How Long Does Someone Have to Report an Accident in Rock Hill?
You do not have an infinite amount of time to fill out the report for your accident. In South Carolina, you must inform the state and fill out the Traffic Collision Report within 15 days of the accident. You can mail the form to the South Carolina DMV at this address:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Financial Responsibility
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0040
If you fail to complete your report within the set time period, Rock Hill will assume this means you lack insurance, and they may therefore penalize you. These penalties may include having your license suspended. In order to reverse this process, you will have to submit a separate form (SR-22), which is a proof of future financial responsibility.
How Long Does Someone Have to Make a Claim
Making an injury or property damage claim is a different process from just reporting a collision. In Rock Hill, you have three years to file a claim against those at fault in your car accident. That deadline starts the moment after the accident occurs. Should you miss this deadline, it will be impossible to file a claim unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Rock Hill Filing a Car Accident Report Lawyer Near Me 1-803-366-0333
Dos and Don’ts of Reporting a Car Accident
In the days after any type of car accident, it can be difficult to keep things straight. It’s easy to let important matters slide or to forget important details that can later cause serious problems for you. Accurate reporting of the accident will determine how the case is settled. With that in mind, try to keep these short and simple DOs and DON’Ts in mind when you report a car accident.
DO:
- Stay calm and collect the appropriate information from everyone involved in the accident and all witnesses.
- Take photos.
- See a doctor about your injuries.
- Fill in your Traffic Collision Report as completely as possible using the above information and send it in early.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer for help with reports.
DON’T:
- Sign anything without consulting a lawyer.
- Admit guilt.
- Put off going to a doctor.
- Put off filling in your reports.
- Leave any information out.
- Try to change the story of what happened.
By following these basic rules, you will be able to navigate the basic difficulties of the report process.
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Contact Us Now for Help Filing Your Rock Hill Accident Report
If you have been in a car wreck, you should contact a knowledgeable Rock Hill car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Schiller & Hamilton, our team has the experience and know-how to help you with your accident report and to help you secure compensation for injuries, damage to your car, lost wages, or other expenses.
Call or text 1-803-366-0333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form