Our State requires liability insurance to protect you from injury caused by another’s negligence. If you are injured in an accident, you have the right to be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by an at-fault driver.
At the scene of the accident, the investigating officer will provide both drivers with the SCDMV FR-10 (green colored form). This insurance verification form must be completed by your insurance company whether you were at fault or not, and it must be submitted to SCDMV within 15 days of the accident. Failure to submit the FR-10 within the 15 day time frame can lead to suspension of your driver’s license and its privileges, regardless of fault. So, it is crucial that you get the FR-10 form to your insurance agent within a day or two of the accident.
Things To Do If Involved In An Accident:
At The Scene:
- Always remain at the scene
- Never admit fault
- Talk to witnesses and get their contact information
- Take notes & pictures of the scene and your vehicles’ damages
- Exchange insurance information with all drivers.
After The Accident:
- Take your FR-10 (green form) to your insurance company
- Take pictures of any visible injuries including cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
- Remain quiet. Do not talk about the accident and do not give statements to anyone including your own insurance company.
- Keep copies of all medical, hospital, and drug bills that you receive.
- Keep an accurate record of all time lost from work even if you are paid or use your sick leave for this time lost.
- Do not sign anything.
Tips To Help Avoid An Accident:
- Adopt defensive driving tactics – Be watchful of the other guy and anticipate his every move;
- Don’t Drink and Drive! – Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking medications that cause sleepiness or retard one’s reflexes and response time;
- Maintain proper speed within the posted speed limits;
- Keep a proper distance between you and the vehicles ahead of you;
- Always use your headlamps in inclement weather;
- Use your turn-signals;
- Put down that cell phone or pull off the road to take or make that phone call (and No Texting!);
- Always keep your vehicle in good proper working order and make sure that all taillights, brake lights and turn signals are illuminating and in good working order.
Good Sources of Information can be found at the following websites:
National Highway Transportation Safety Admin — http://www.nhtsa.gov/
SC Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.scdmvonline.com/
SC Department of Public Safety: http://scdps.gov/
Common Injuries — http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Car-Accident-Injuries&id=2817763
http://www.all-about-car-accidents.com/car-accident-injuries.html
Being involved in an Automobile Accident can be a very traumatic experience, sometimes with long-lasting effects. The physical injury to one’s body can be painful and take a considerable length of time to overcome and recuperate. The traumatic experience of the accident itself, enduring the pain of injuries sustained, along with the extensive time spent recuperating, can all create anxiety, depression and various phobias that can impact negatively upon one’s life.
Regardless of fault, there are many groups that you will become involved when you are in an automobile accident. You must deal with the other driver, his or her occupants and witnesses, your witnesses, law enforcement, your insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, insurance company adjusters and investigators, wrecker services, car repair garage, your healthcare providers, your employers, your creditors, just to name a few.
We all know that medical treatment can be very expensive, and serious injuries can quickly amount to substantial medical expense. Serious debilitating injuries can also cause one to loose time out of work, which leads to a loss of income. Sometimes the need for money makes us do things quickly without giving prudent thought, and settling your injury case too soon is one of those. It can leave you financially “out in the cold.” Do not be coerced or fooled into signing papers prior completion of all medical treatment, and don’t be lured by the enticement of fast money before you are release by your treating physicians. Certainly, do not accept an offer before discussing your situation with good legal counsel.
When you consider all of the above mentioned, it is paramount that you have someone in your corner to protect you and your rights. Given the multiple groups you will be faced with, the exorbitant costs of medical expenses and income loss potential in an accident, it is crucial that you obtain good legal counsel to guide your through the experience and see that you are justly compensated and made whole.
If you are injured in an automobile accident, please call The Hanson Law Firm (803) 798-9446.