Why Is It So Important To Call the Police After an Accident?

If you get into a car accident, you need to call the police to the scene. This is probably advice that you have heard before, but it is especially important to remember if you have suffered injuries and believe that the accident was someone else’s fault. If you decide to pursue compensation in a personal injury case, having the police show up after the accident can help you. A Darlington County, South Carolina auto accident lawyer can be helpful too.

What Can Police Do After a Car Accident?

When the police show up at a car accident scene, they take a few steps to keep everyone safe and investigate the accident itself. Generally, a cop who arrives at the scene will:

• Help get the cars moved to a safer place
• See if anyone involved is injured and render first aid
• Call for an ambulance and clear the way for it
• Block off the road and prevent additional accidents
• Investigate and determine the cause of the accident, if possible
• Talk to eyewitnesses
• Fill out a police report

The last part might be the most important. A police report contains a lot of information about the accident itself. It is an authoritative piece of evidence that can be used in a personal injury case. Having a report already written can make it harder for anyone involved to change their stories later on.

When Is Calling the Police Mandatory?

The state of South Carolina requires motorists to call the police any time an auto accident causes injuries, death, or more than $1,000 in damage. We recommend calling even if you are not sure whether or not anyone is injured or if enough damage has been done though.

We say this for a few reasons. First, we have already outlined the advantages of bringing the cops to the accident scene for you. Those remain the same even if you think that an accident was minor. Second, injuries are not always obvious immediately after an accident. Finally, it can be hard to eyeball it and estimate how much damage was actually done to a vehicle. Calling the cops can make it easier to ensure that all of your bases are covered.

What Else Should I Do After a Car Accident?

You can also take some other steps after the accident to protect yourself and make it easier to pursue damages later if that ends up being necessary. We recommend that you:

• Take photos of the accident scene
• Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles or other property
• Exchange information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident
• Get the medical care you need as soon as possible

Doing these things can make it easier to protect your interests and sue for compensation.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

If you are planning to pursue damages, contact the James Law Office, LLC. We can tell you more about your legal options and how one of our attorneys can be of assistance.