A car crash can turn a normal day upside down in an instant. Beyond the damage to your vehicle, you may find yourself dealing with painful injuries, missed work, mounting medical bills, and emotional distress. Whether it’s a minor collision or a serious wreck, knowing what to do next is often overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to understand your rights and what to expect after an accident.
If someone else caused the crash, working with a lawyer can help protect your financial and legal future. Insurance companies often look out for their own bottom line, not yours. A skilled Savannah car accident lawyer helps level the playing field and makes sure your recovery isn’t delayed by red tape or lowball offers.
Insurance Claims Come First
After a car accident, most people begin by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is often the fastest and least stressful route to getting your medical bills paid, your car fixed, and some of your lost wages covered. Sometimes, if the facts are straightforward and your injuries are manageable, this process can resolve your case without having to take further legal steps.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If negotiations stall, or if you have major injuries that will affect you for years to come, filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to present your case in front of a judge or jury. Lawsuits are often necessary when future medical bills, lost earning potential, and emotional suffering are substantial and can’t be addressed by simple, back-and-forth negotiations with the insurance company, especially if the policy limit won’t cover your damages.
What Should You Expect From The Insurance Company After a Car Accident?
Knowing what to expect from the insurance company after an accident is important. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Initial Contact and Investigation
Once you report the accident, expect a call from an insurance claims adjuster, either from your own company or the at-fault driver’s insurer. They’ll ask for details about the crash, including how it happened, who was involved, and what damage was done. Often, they’ll request a recorded statement. This may feel routine, but what you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim later. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement without legal guidance. The adjuster’s job is to investigate, but it’s also to protect the company’s financial interests.
Property Damage Estimates
Shortly after your claim is opened, the adjuster may arrange for your vehicle to be inspected or may ask you to visit a body shop they recommend. You’ll be given a repair estimate or possibly a check for what they believe your car is worth if it’s totaled. Be cautious – these initial offers are often low. The insurance company might not include the full cost of parts, labor, or additional damage found after the initial inspection.
If your car has sentimental or specialty value, or if the damage affects safety features, their number might fall far short. Always get an independent quote from a shop you trust before accepting any payment.
Medical Record Requests
You might be asked to sign a medical release giving the insurer access to your health history. While they do need to verify your accident-related injuries, they often try to request full access to your lifetime medical records. That’s a red flag. Insurers may dig through your past to find anything they can claim is a “pre-existing condition.” You’re not required to give up broad access. Instead, consult a lawyer who can limit the scope of what’s shared – only records directly related to the crash and your treatment.
Push for a Quick Settlement
It’s common for insurance companies to reach out with an early offer. They may frame it as a helpful way to get you back on your feet quickly, but often, they’re just trying to close the claim before you realize how serious your injuries are. Some issues, like back pain or concussions, don’t show up right away. If you accept the check and sign a release, your case is closed, even if you later need surgery or months of rehab. That’s why it’s essential not to rush and to speak with a lawyer before accepting any settlement.
Pressure to Make Statements
Adjusters often request a recorded statement shortly after the accident. They may say it’s just routine or “helps move your claim along.” What they’re really doing is trying to get you to say something that can be used to limit your compensation. For example, if you guess about what happened or say you’re “feeling okay,” they may use that against you later. You have the right to decline or delay this conversation until you’ve spoken with an attorney who can advise you on how to respond properly.
Knowing what to expect from insurance adjusters helps you stay one step ahead and make decisions that are truly in your best interest, not the insurance company’s. Even when a claim seems fairly straightforward, it’s a good idea to at least schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do After a Crash?
A car crash can happen in seconds, but the aftermath can be confusing, stressful, and overwhelming. Knowing what to do in those first few minutes and hours can protect your safety, your legal rights, and your ability to recover damages later on. Here’s what to do if you’re involved in a collision.
Check for Injuries and Call 911
First, you should always check whether anyone involved in the crash is hurt, including yourself. Don’t assume you’re okay just because you can stand or talk. Injuries aren’t always apparent right away, especially after the adrenaline rush of a crash. Look for signs of bleeding, pain, dizziness, confusion, or trouble moving.
If anyone appears injured, even slightly, call 911 immediately. Paramedics will evaluate and treat those on the scene and transport them to the hospital if needed..
Don’t try to drive injured passengers to the hospital yourself unless emergency services are unavailable. Let professionals do their job. Even if you believe no one is hurt, it’s still wise to request police presence so an official report can be filed. That documentation may be useful later if injuries appear or if you have to prove who was at fault.
Move to a Safe Area (If Possible)
Once injuries are addressed, and if the cars are still operable, your next priority is safety. Crashes on highways or busy roads can lead to secondary accidents. If you’re able, move your vehicle out of the direct flow of traffic. Pull over to the shoulder, into a parking lot, or onto a nearby side street – somewhere well-lit and away from other cars. If your vehicle can’t be moved, turn on your hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.
Getting out and standing near traffic, especially at night or in bad weather, can be dangerous. Only exit the vehicle if it’s necessary for safety.
Exchange Information
After making sure everyone is safe and emergency responders are on the way (if needed), exchange information with the other drivers involved. This step is important even if the crash seems minor.
You’ll need to gather:
- Full names and contact information of all drivers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Vehicle license plate numbers
- Insurance provider names and policy numbers
- The make, model, and color of the vehicles
- Contact information for any passengers or witnesses
Keep the conversation polite and professional, but avoid apologizing or saying anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. You don’t have all the facts yet, and even a simple “I’m sorry” could be used against you in an insurance claim.
Document the Scene
The more details you can collect about the crash, the better. Use your phone to take photos and videos from multiple angles. Capture:
- Vehicle damage (close-ups and wide shots)
- Skid marks or debris on the road
- Position of the cars
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Any visible injuries
- Traffic signs, stoplights, and intersections
Photos taken immediately after the crash can help support your version of events if the other driver tries to deny responsibility or change their story later. If police respond, ask how you can get a copy of the accident report. It will contain important information like the date, time, location, and names of those involved, as well as the officer’s assessment of the scene.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you think you’re unhurt, seeing a doctor within a day or two after the crash is important. Some injuries, especially soft tissue damage, internal bleeding, or brain injuries, may not show symptoms until hours or days later. Headaches, fatigue, stiffness, or numbness that initially seem mild could become serious if ignored.
Getting medical care early can also strengthen your injury claim. Insurance companies often argue that a delay in treatment means your injury wasn’t related to the crash. Having a medical record from soon after the accident helps prove otherwise.
Even if you don’t go to the emergency room, make an appointment with your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic. Tell them you were involved in a car accident and describe all symptoms, no matter how small. Follow their treatment instructions carefully, and keep records of visits, prescriptions, and referrals.
Understand What Georgia and South Carolina Laws May Affect You After a Car Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident in Georgia or South Carolina, state laws will determine how insurance claims and lawsuits are handled. These laws can impact who pays for damages, how fault is divided, and how long you have to take legal action. Here’s what drivers in these states need to understand.
Fault-Based Insurance Systems
Both Georgia and South Carolina follow a fault-based system for auto insurance. This means the person who caused the crash is responsible for covering the damage. Their insurance company pays for medical bills, car repairs, and other losses, up to the policy’s limits.
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your expenses, you may need to rely on uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Filing these claims can be complicated, especially if fault is disputed or multiple drivers are involved.
Because these are at-fault states, proving who caused the crash becomes a central part of any claim. Police reports, witness statements, photographs, and medical records help establish responsibility.
Comparative Negligence
Georgia and South Carolina also apply comparative negligence laws. This means fault can be shared among multiple parties. Your percentage of fault affects how much money you can recover, or whether you can recover at all.
- In Georgia, you cannot recover damages if you are 50% or more at fault. If you’re found 49% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame. For example, if your damages total $20,000 and you’re 30% at fault, you would only receive $14,000.
- South Carolina law is similar. You can still recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault. Your payout will still be reduced based on your share of fault, but you’re not completely barred unless you’re equally or mostly responsible.
Statutes of Limitations
After a crash, there’s only a limited time to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, your claim may be dismissed, no matter how strong your case is.
In Georgia, you have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit and 4 years to file a property damage claim.
In South Carolina, you generally have 3 years for both personal injury and property damage claims.
These time limits apply to lawsuits, not insurance claims, but they’re still important to remember. Waiting too long to act can make gathering evidence or getting witness statements harder.
Also, keep in mind that these are just general deadlines. There are often exceptions that can extend or shorten the deadline to file a lawsuit. Make sure you speak with a lawyer about the timeline.
Understanding what to expect after a car accident can make a difficult situation more manageable. From getting medical care to dealing with insurance and knowing your legal rights, every step matters.
If you’re overwhelmed or unsure where to start, you don’t have to go through it alone. The team at Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys is here to help you navigate the process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get the guidance you need to move forward with confidence. Call (912) 809-5335 when you’re ready.