Ramie Shalabi | February 24, 2026 | Car Accidents
This article was originally written in August 2020 and was updated in February 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- Call the police after an automobile accident so there is an official report documenting the crash and identifying the at-fault driver, which protects your claim later.
- Seek medical care the same day or as soon as possible, even if you feel fine, since adrenaline can mask serious injuries that may worsen without treatment.
- Take clear photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries to preserve critical evidence for your case.
- Speak with an experienced car accident attorney early to protect evidence, communicate with insurers, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Call the Police Immediately
Always call the police. The police will document the accident and write a report for you. If you do not call the police, there will be no official record of the accident, and the at-fault driver could dispute the entire accident.
It will then be your word against the word of the at-fault driver. This makes things more difficult and time-consuming.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
You should also get medical care at an emergency room as quickly as possible. You should go the same day or, at the latest, the next day. You need to get checked out to make sure you are okay. Oftentimes, there is so much adrenaline after an accident that you do not realize you have been hurt.
After going to the ER, you should follow up with your doctor within a few days. If you are out of work, you should ask the doctor to write you a doctor’s excuse. This will help your attorney get you reimbursed for your lost wages from the insurance company.
Document the Scene
If you are able, take pictures of the damage to your car from several angles. If you can move around at the scene of the accident, take pictures of the actual accident and the damage to the other vehicle.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
After that, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You will need someone who will preserve the evidence and obtain additional evidence, if necessary. Having a lawyer early on ensures that things go smoothly from the start so that a case can be made for you later.
If you were injured by the negligence of someone else on the road, you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries and damages. Call the Columbia and Charleston car accident lawyers at Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC (DSB Law Firm) to see how we can help you get the justice you deserve.
Ramie Shalabi is an experienced personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney who represents injured people across the state of South Carolina.