What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in South Carolina

The minutes after a car accident are disorienting. Adrenaline masks pain. The other driver may be apologetic, aggressive, or already on the phone with their insurance company. What you do in the first 24 hours can determine whether you recover full compensation — or whether the other side builds a case against you before you’ve said a word.

Call 911 — Even If It Seems Minor

South Carolina law requires you to report any accident involving injury or property damage over $1,000. More practically: a police report creates an official record of the crash that insurance companies cannot easily dispute. Without one, it becomes your word against the other driver’s.

If the other driver suggests skipping the report and just exchanging information, decline. That suggestion almost always benefits them, not you.

Get Medical Attention the Same Day

Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries often present hours or days after a crash — not at the scene. Going to the ER or urgent care on the same day creates a medical record that ties your injuries directly to the accident.

A gap in treatment gives the insurance adjuster a ready-made argument that you weren’t seriously hurt, or that something else caused your injuries. If you feel fine, go anyway. Tell the provider about the accident and describe every symptom, however minor.

Document Everything at the Scene

If you’re physically able to do so safely, document before vehicles are moved:

• Photograph both vehicles from multiple angles, including license plates
• Photograph road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and any debris
• Get the other driver’s name, license number, insurance carrier, and policy number
• Get contact information from witnesses before they leave the scene
• Note the responding officer’s name and badge number

Photos taken at the scene are exponentially more useful than photos taken hours later after vehicles have been moved and the scene cleared.

Do Not Apologize or Admit Fault

This is not about being dishonest — it’s about not making statements before you have full information. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you” is an admission of fault that will appear in the insurance file and can be used against you. Stick to exchanging information and cooperating with law enforcement. Let the investigation determine fault.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely call within 24–48 hours asking for a recorded statement. You are not legally required to give one. Their adjuster is trained to ask questions in ways that minimize the payout — including questions about pre-existing conditions, whether you “felt any pain at the scene,” and whether the impact was “really that serious.”

Notify Your Own Insurance

Most policies require prompt notification of any accident, even one you didn’t cause. Failing to notify your own carrier can complicate an uninsured motorist claim later — which matters significantly in South Carolina, where uninsured drivers are common.

Know South Carolina’s Deadlines

Under SC Code §15-3-530, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. That sounds like a long time. But evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and the medical records from the days immediately following the crash are often the most critical documents in the case.

When to Call a Lawyer

Before you speak with any insurance adjuster — including your own. A free consultation costs nothing. An unguided conversation with an adjuster in the first 24 hours can cost you far more than you’d expect.

Joe Cunningham Law handles car accident claims across South Carolina on a contingency basis. We review your situation, document your damages, and deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to. No fee unless we recover.