If you were injured in a South Carolina car accident, you may be struggling to figure out how to pay your medical bills, return to work, and recover from the shock of the crash. Dealing with your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurer while trying to recover can feel overwhelming. That’s where Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you. Founded in 1968, our award-winning team has decades of experience in personal injury law, and we’ve helped injured South Carolinians secure over half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for their injuries and other damages.
Our goal is simple: to help you maximize your recovery in a car accident case. Whether it’s holding the at-fault driver accountable or dealing with unfair insurance adjusters, we work to build a strong case backed by evidence and skilled legal strategies.
You don’t have to do this alone. Just Call Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers! We offer a free consultation, take the time to explain your legal options, and because of our No Fee Guarantee, there’s no risk to you. You’ll never owe us a legal fee unless we collect money for you. Call us at (888) 324-3100 today and let our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys help you take the next step toward recovery.
Gather Evidence While It’s Still There
The minutes after a car accident are critical. Your safety comes first. Move to a safe location and call the police.
A lot of important evidence in a car accident case can be found only at the crash scene, and it is best obtained by a crash victim acting quickly. If you have been seriously injured in a car crash, you should seek immediate medical help. But, if you can, gather evidence at the scene of your wreck, such as:
- Pictures of the cars involved and their damage, skid marks, debris, broken glass, property damage to road signs, guardrails, landscape, and any road defects or construction work that may have contributed to the accident.
- Pictures of your injuries.
- Video of a driver who appears to be impaired. (Be careful about approaching such a driver. Always remain polite and avoid confrontation after a car accident.)
- Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver, but avoid discussing blame. If there are bystanders, collect their witness statements and phone numbers for future reference. These third-party accounts can support your claim and clarify who is at fault in cases of disagreement.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel hurt. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms right away. Early medical treatment not only protects your health but also connects your injuries directly to the crash.
Every step you take helps support important evidence. These early actions affect your ability to seek compensation in the future.
Building a Strong Personal Injury Case Depends on Evidence
To successfully pursue a personal injury settlement, you need a clear link between the accident and your injuries, losses, and pain. A strong case includes several elements and there are many types of information that should be preserved as evidence as soon as possible after a car accident, including:
- Police report. You usually need to report your car accident to police to file an insurance claim. You should ask the responding officer when and how the report will be available, and be sure to get it as soon as you can.
- Medical records and receipts. Save everything connected to your injuries and recovery and the cost of all medical treatment, including receipts for prescription and over-the-counter mediation related to your injuries. These expenses are losses you want to be reimbursed for, and medical records will serve as evidence of the extent of your injuries.
- Car maintenance records. These may demonstrate that the wreck was not caused by a failure of your vehicle, or in some cases be evidence that, in fact, a faulty product was a contributing factor in a car accident.
- Work absence records. Part of the compensation you may seek in a claim is reimbursement for lost income due to your injuries. It’s important to document your past income and expected income during the time you are unable to work.
Evidence that your car accident attorneys may obtain and preserve for you includes but is not limited to:
- Cell phone records. Evidence that a driver was texting or talking on a cell phone could provide the basis for a distracted driving claim.
- Calls to 911. A call to 911 may show what was happening just after an accident. A driver’s voice and demeanor in a 911 call could be evidence of drunk driving. A driver could admit responsibility for an accident in a frantic 911 call. Calls to 911 are preserved for a limited time, so they must be obtained quickly – another reason to contact a car accident lawyer ASAP after your accident.
- Event data recorder (“black box” recorder). In certain models of passenger cars and trucks and in all large commercial trucks, an event data recorder (EDR) contains a variety of information about the vehicle’s speed, braking and steering prior to a crash.
- Vehicle recall reports. The possibility of recalls on all vehicles and parts involved in the crash should be explored. If a vehicle or parts manufacturer is responsible for a malfunction or defect that played a role in the crash, they may be held accountable.
- Surveillance footage. Municipalities, local businesses, or residences may have surveillance video available documenting the moments leading up to, during, and after the collision. Dash cams from the drivers involved or the vehicles of witnesses can also provide critical evidence proving exactly how a crash occurred.
Joye Law Firm helps clients develop a comprehensive understanding of how a South Carolina car accident has impacted their lives. We don’t rely only on paperwork. We use day-in-the-life narratives, doctor input, expert testimony, medical illustrations, and financial documentation to explain what you’ve endured.
It’s also important to show the extent of pain and suffering or mental anguish. These aren’t always visible but can be just as real. Our team will include these damages in your car accident case, helping to justify the need for a favorable settlement or court award.