Spartanburg Car Wrecks - Auto Accidents Lawyer - Attorney; Gaffney, Union, S.C.

The following is a list of things you should do if you are in an auto accident, car wreck,
truck wreck, moped accident, motorcycle accident, motor vehicle accident, or sustain
some other personal injury caused by someone else's actions. Not all tips apply in all
cases.

Terry
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1. CALL THE POLICE.
If you are involved in a car wreck - motor vehicle accident always call the police.

2. GET THE NAMES AND NUMBERS OF WITNESSES.
The policeman SHOULD record the names of all witnesses. However, they do no always do so.
Protect yourself by getting, and saving, the names and numbers yourself.

3. TAKE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLES.
If you were in a car wreck be sure and take pictures of your car before it is repaired or taken to
the salvage yard. The insurance company may take pictures, but some companies have a history
of losing these pictures if you have to go to court. If you know where it is take pictures of the
other vehicle as well. Sometimes the other vehicle will have more damage than the one you were
in.

4. TAKE PICTURES OF THE SCENE.
Take pictures of the scene of the accident, especially important if there are skid marks, damage
to signs, or other evidence of the accident. Skid marks tend to disappear after a few days. If
your injury was caused by a problem with the property you were on, there is a good chance that
that problem will be corrected within a couple of days after your injury. It is important to get
pictures before the problem is corrected.

5. TAKE PICTURES OF CUTS, BRUISES, SWELLING, ETC.
Take pictures of any cuts, bruises, and swelling you sustain as a result of the accident. Do this as
soon as possible after the accident. Take additional pictures periodically after that. Bruises
sometimes do not appear until a day or two after an accident. They may get worse before they
get better.

6. TAKE PICTURES OF SCARRING AND DISFIGUREMENT.
Take pictures of any permanent scarring or disfigurement you have as a result of your injury.

7. PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE.
In some cases there can be important pieces of evidence that, if lost, may jeopardize your case.
For example, if you are injured because of a defective product it is very important that you save
that product!

8. IF YOU ARE HURT, GO TO THE DOCTOR OR EMERGENCY ROOM.
If you are hurting go to the doctor immediately. Don't wait. If you wait several days before going
to the doctor the insurance company may question whether you were really hurt in the accident.
Be sure and tell the doctor how you got hurt. Be sure and tell the doctor about all of your
problems. If you do not tell a doctor about a problem until several days/weeks after the accident
it will be hard to convince the insurance company that the problem came from the accident.

9. DO WHAT THE DOCTOR TELLS YOU.
If he tells you to go back to work you at need to give it a try, even if you don't feel up to it yet. If
he gives you a follow up appointment do not miss it. If he gives you a prescription, get it filled.

10. SAVE COPIES OF ALL MEDICAL BILLS.
It is hard to get full compensation if you do not have copies of all of your expenses.

11. SAVE COPIES OF WORK EXCUSES.
Sometimes doctors mention that they excused you from work in their records. However,
sometimes they forgot to do so. Do not miss work if the doctor did not excuse you. Insurance
companies will only consider your claim for lost wages if you have something confirming that the
doctor excused you.

12. FILE YOUR MEDICAL BILLS ON YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE,
MEDICARE, OR MEDICAID.
File all of your medical bills on your health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. You will
probably have to reimburse them out of your final settlement, but it will help keep the bill
collectors off your back until your case is settled. It will also save you money in the long run.

13. NOTIFY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
When there is a car wreck BOTH drivers are required to file proof of insurance with the S.C.
Highway Deparment. Under S.C. law you have 15 days to send in proof of insurance. You do
this by taking the FR-10 form that the police officer gives you to your insurance company. They
will then fill it out and send it to the Highway Department. If the Highway Department does not
receive this form they will suspend your license plates, and possibly your drivers license.

14. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR LAWYER FIRST.
You could accidentally sign something that might jeopardize your case.

15. DO NOT TALK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT TALKING TO A
LAWYER FIRST.

16. BE PATIENT.