What Injured Tourists Should Do After an Accident

Going on vacation gives you the chance to relax and unwind, but a relaxing day can quickly become horrific if you fall victim to a personal injury or accident. If you have suffered an injury while on vacation in Conway, South Carolina, you need to protect your legal and financial rights. This involves seeking prompt medical attention, reporting the accident to law enforcement, notifying the rental car company (if applicable), gathering evidence before heading home, and speaking with one of our Conway car accident attorneys.

Seek Prompt Medical Attention

As an injured tourist, you likely do not want to deal with seeing a doctor out of state. If you have suffered an injury while on vacation, you must seek medical attention immediately. While some symptoms may be readily apparent, others may be less obvious, but just as deadly. Besides protecting your health, seeking prompt medical attention preserves your right to file a claim. For this reason, our Conway car accident lawyers recommend seeking medical care as soon as possible (ideally within 24 to 72 hours of the accident).

Report the Accident to the Police

SC Code §56-5-1260 requires that you report any accident that results in injuries or fatalities to the police. By reporting the accident to law enforcement, an officer will arrive at the scene and take down important details surrounding your accident. This will include the date/time/location of the accident; the names of all drivers and vehicle occupants involved; the make/model/year of all vehicles; weather/road conditions; a description of the accident; and who the officer believes is responsible.

Additionally, SC Code §56-5-1270 requires you to submit a written report to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if there are any injuries, fatalities, or $1,000 or more in property damage, and no police officer investigated the scene. This must be done within 15 days of the accident date.

Contact the Rental Car Company

If you are in a rental car, you need to notify the rental company of your accident. The paperwork supplied by the rental car company will detail insurance coverage, deductibles, and how to report a claim. If you purchased rental car coverage on your personal vehicle, then you will not have to purchase a separate policy with the rental car company. No matter what coverage applies, you need to report the collision as soon as possible to the rental company.

Gather Evidence Before Heading Home

Even if you have a flight booked to head home, you need to collect as much evidence as possible. In a car accident claim, evidence typically includes photos of vehicle wreckage, the final resting position of the vehicles, nearby intersections or cross-streets, and any visible injuries you sustained. If an eyewitness saw the accident, ask for their full name and contact information, and whether they would be willing to provide a statement. Take note of any nearby businesses that have surveillance cameras, since our legal team may contact them to see if we can access footage of the crash.

Contact a Trusted Personal Injury Attorney

Seeking legal advice is essential following any type of motor vehicle accident. As a tourist, you likely do not know South Carolina motor vehicle law, which is why you should confer with our experienced legal team. At The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., our Conway personal injury lawyers are available to inform you of your rights, assist in preserving evidence, and guide you in handling your insurance claim. Let us help you feel more at ease as you navigate the claims process and potentially the legal system.

Reach Out to Our Conway Car Accident Lawyers Today

As an out-of-state resident, you are likely unfamiliar with state-specific reporting laws following a car accident. That is where our legal team is happy to help. As always, our Conway car accident attorneys are eager to advocate for the compensation our clients deserve. To arrange your free consultation to discuss your matter, contact The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., online or by calling (843) 248-3177 today.