What to Do After a Car Accident in Rock Hill, SC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting into a car crash is a very scary thing. Your heart beats fast and your hands might shake. It is hard to think when you are afraid. Many people in Rock Hill, SC feel this way after a wreck. You are not alone. There are people who help. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson knows that these moments are hard for families. When a car hits another car, life stops for a minute. You might be on Cherry Road or near Winthrop University. No matter where it happens, you need to know what to do right now. This guide helps you stay safe and follow the rules. It is written to help you breathe and take one step at a time. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson have seen many people through these hard days.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Rock Hill?

If you are at the side of the road right now, look at this list. These are the most important things to do.

• Check for injuries and call 911. Look at yourself. Look at your friends in the car. If someone hurts, tell the operator.
• Move to a safe location. If the cars still drive, move them out of the way of other drivers.
• Contact the Rock Hill Police Department. You need an officer to come and write a report.
• Exchange insurance and contact information. Get the name and numbers of the other driver.
• Take photos of vehicle damage and the scene. Use your phone to take many pictures of all the cars.
• Seek medical attention. Go to the doctor even if you feel okay right now.
• Notify your insurance provider. Tell them a crash happened but do not say it was your fault.

It is wise to get legal help for your injuries if you feel overwhelmed. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson want you to stay calm.

Is Everyone Safe? Immediate Steps at the Scene

The first thing to do is breathe. The sound of metal hitting metal is loud. It stays in your ears. York County Emergency Services (911) is there to help you. You must pick up the phone. Even if the crash seems small, someone might be hurt inside where you cannot see.

Assess yourself and passengers for trauma. Can you move your arms? Does your head hurt? Do not try to be a hero. If it hurts, stay still. Use your hazard lights so other people on the road see you. This is very important if it is dark or raining in Rock Hill.

There is a South Carolina Law Tip you should know. It is called the “Move It” law. If nobody is hurt and the cars can move, you should move them. Move them to the shoulder of Celanese Road or Cherry Road. This keeps you safe from other cars that might not see the wreck. It also helps the traffic move. If you stay in the middle of the road, another car might hit you again. That would be very bad. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson cares about your safety first.

How Do I Report a Car Accident to Rock Hill Police?

You must tell the police about the crash. In South Carolina, the law says you must report it if someone is hurt. You also must report it if the damage to the cars looks like it costs more than $1,000. Most car fixes cost that much these days.

The Rock Hill Police Department is at 120 E. Black St. You can call them to the scene. An officer will come and talk to everyone. They will look at the cars and the road. This officer will write an official accident report. This paper is very important for your insurance. Without it, the other driver might change their story later. They might say they were not even there.

If the crash happened just outside the city, the York County Sheriff’s Office might come instead. They do the same work. They help make sure everyone is okay and write down the facts. Contacting a lawyer today can help you get this report later if you lose it.

What Information Should I Collect from the Other Driver?

Talking to the other driver can be hard. They might be angry or scared too. Try to be polite but do not say “I am sorry.” If you say sorry, they might think you are saying it was your fault. Just ask for their papers.

You should write down or take photos of these things:

• Full name and contact info: Get their phone number and where they live.
• Insurance company name and policy number: This is on a small card in their glove box.
• Driver’s license number and license plate: Take a picture of the back of their car.
• Vehicle make, model, and color: For example, a blue Ford truck.
• Names and numbers of witnesses: This is very big. If someone saw the crash, get their name. They can tell the truth about what happened.

Sometimes people forget to ask for names of people who saw it. These people leave quickly. Try to talk to them before they go away. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson knows that witnesses help a lot.

Where Should I Go for Medical Care in Rock Hill?

Your body is more important than your car. Cars can be fixed or bought new. You only have one body. Sometimes after a crash, you have a lot of energy called adrenaline. This energy makes you not feel pain for a while. You might wake up the next day and not be able to move your neck. This is often called whiplash.

Piedmont Medical Center is on S. Herlong Ave. They have a big Emergency Room (ER). You should go there if you have big hurts or hit your head. They have tools to see inside your body.

If you have smaller pains, you can go to Atrium Health Urgent Care – Rock Hill. They are good for seeing you fast. You should go to a doctor within 24 to 48 hours. If you wait too long, the insurance company will act like you are lying. They will say you got hurt doing something else. Having a medical record shows the truth. Learning about car accident rules helps you understand why the doctor is so important.

How Does “Modified Comparative Negligence” Affect My Case in SC?

This is a big name for a simple rule. In South Carolina, they use the “51% Rule.” This means you can get money for your hurts even if you made a small mistake. But you cannot be the main person who caused the wreck. If you are 51% or more at fault, you get nothing.

If you are 20% at fault, the money you get will be 20% less. For example, if the judge says you should get some money, they take away the part that was your fault. This is why you must never admit fault at the scene. Even if you think you did something wrong, you might be mistaken. There could be oil on the road or the other driver was speeding.

Do not talk to the other person’s insurance company without help. They want to pay you as little as they can. They might try to trick you into saying it was your fault. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson protects people from these tricks.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in South Carolina?

You do not have forever to ask for help. South Carolina has a law called the Statute of Limitations. This is a time limit. For car accidents and personal injury, the limit is usually 3 years. This is found in SC Code § 15-3-530.

Three years might feel like a long time. It is not. Evidence goes away fast. Traffic cameras near Dave Lyle Blvd might delete their videos after a few days. Skid marks on the road wash away when it rains. People who saw the crash might forget what color the light was.

You should act fast while the memory is fresh. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson have worked on these cases over many years. They know how to find the facts before they disappear.

Finding a Reliable Partner in Rock Hill

When you are hurt and your car is broken, you have a lot of stress. You have to talk to doctors and insurance people and fixers. It is too much for one person. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson helps take that stress away. They talk to the insurance company for you.

This law firm has been in the community for a long time. They know the streets of Rock Hill. They know the people. They treat you like a neighbor, not just a number on a folder. Choosing a local law firm means you can go to their office and talk face to face. It is better than calling someone far away who does not know where Cherry Road is.

If you are shaking from a crash, take a deep breath. Follow the steps. Call the police. Go to the doctor. Then, think about getting someone to stand by your side. You deserve to have someone fight for you. The Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones and Wilkerson is ready to be that person.

Speak with a Rock Hill Car Accident Attorney Today. You do not have to do this alone. Your family needs you to get better. Let someone else handle the paperwork and the phone calls. Stay safe, Rock Hill.

FAQs

What if the other driver does not have insurance? 

This happens sometimes in South Carolina. You might have something called Uninsured Motorist coverage. Your own insurance might pay for your injuries. It is a good idea to check your policy papers.

Should I take a settlement check right away?

The insurance company might offer you money very fast. They want you to take it before you know how much your medical bills will be. Usually, this first offer is very low. It is better to wait until the doctor says you are all done healing.

Do I need a lawyer for a small accident?

 Even small accidents can cause big medical bills later. If you are not hurt at all and only the car has a scratch, you might not need one. But if you have any pain, it is smart to ask a professional.

 What if the accident was partly my fault?

 As long as you are not more than 50% responsible, you can still seek compensation. The “Modified Comparative Negligence” rule in South Carolina allows this. Your reward will just be a bit smaller.

How do I get a copy of my police report?

 You can usually get it from the Rock Hill Police Department after a few days. You might have to pay a very small fee for the paper. This report is the main proof of what the officer saw at the scene.

Free case review: Call us or send a message to start a confidential consultation today.