What To Do After a Car Accident in Lexington, SC?
Legally Reviewed by Stephen Vicari: Sep 12, 2026
A collision can be a terrifying and disorienting experience. Knowing the right steps to take can protect your health and your legal rights. If you are wondering what to do after your car accident in Lexington, SC, this guide provides a clear roadmap. At Stewart Law Offices, we stand by your side during this challenging time.
At Stewart Law Offices, our team includes Stephen Vicari, a licensed South Carolina Bar attorney with more than 10 years of legal experience representing injured clients across Lexington County. When you contact us, your case is handled carefully and personally by attorneys who take the time to listen and understand your situation. Stephen and our team review your crash details, medical records, and insurance options to determine the best path forward.
We know the steps to take after a car accident in Lexington, SC, and provide clear, actionable steps to protect your rights. We handle car accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Assess Injuries and Call for Emergency Help
The moments immediately following a collision are chaotic, but your physical safety must always come first. Check yourself and your passengers for any visible injuries before attempting to move. If anyone is hurt, or if the vehicles are blocking traffic on busy routes like Sunset Boulevard or near the I-20 interchange, dial 911 immediately.
Under South Carolina Code § 56-5-1210, drivers are legally required to stop at the scene of an accident and provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured. Fleeing the scene can result in severe criminal penalties. Even if you feel fine, shock and adrenaline can mask serious trauma.
Waiting for law enforcement ensures an official report is generated, which is a critical first step in knowing what to do after my car accident in Lexington, SC, to protect your legal rights.
Document the Crash Scene and Gather Evidence
While waiting for the police to arrive, take proactive steps to preserve the physical evidence at the scene. Use your smartphone to take comprehensive photographs of all vehicles involved, focusing on license plates, visible damage, and the cars’ overall positions. Capture the surrounding environment, including skid marks, traffic signals, and any debris scattered across the roadway. If there are bystanders who witnessed the collision, politely ask for their names and contact information. Their independent accounts can be invaluable when determining fault after a car accident.
If nearby businesses or traffic cameras captured the event, note their locations. Securing this traffic footage for a car accident early prevents it from being overwritten.
Exchange Information Without Admitting Fault
While waiting for authorities, collect essential details from all involved parties. Obtain names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance policy information.
Avoid discussing who caused the crash, as anything you say could be used against you later. If there were witnesses, politely ask for their contact information as well to strengthen your case.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
The most important step after a car accident in Lexington, SC, is to seek immediate medical care. Do not delay medical evaluation, even if your symptoms seem minor. Conditions like whiplash or an accident concussion often take hours or days to fully develop.
Visiting a doctor immediately creates an official medical record linking your injuries directly to the collision, which is indispensable when proving the extent of your damages to an insurance adjuster.
Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully
You are generally required to report the collision to your own insurance company promptly, but you must be extremely cautious about what you say. Stick to the basic facts of the incident, such as the date, time, and location. Do not provide a recorded statement, speculate about how the crash happened, or discuss the extent of your injuries.
Insurance adjusters are trained to extract information that can be used to minimize your payout or deny your claim entirely. If the other driver was uninsured, you may need to file uninsured motorist claims to cover your medical bills and vehicle repairs.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Lexington, SC
A driver who strikes another vehicle and flees the scene commits a criminal violation under South Carolina law. If the at-fault driver in your crash left the scene, note every detail you can about the fleeing vehicle: the make, model, color, approximate year, and any portion of the license plate you observed. Provide that information to the responding officer immediately.
Do not pursue the fleeing driver. Law enforcement pursues that task. Your role is to document what you observed, focusing on your medical needs and the scene evidence.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage typically covers losses from hit-and-run crashes in South Carolina when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. A Lexington car accident lawyer can evaluate your coverage, file the appropriate claim, and ensure the uninsured motorist carrier does not undervalue your injuries.
How to Obtain Your Lexington, SC Car Accident Report
The official collision report becomes available through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles after approximately 24 hours.
Request the report in person at an SCDMV location. Request it online at SCDMVonline.com using the FR-50 form. Mail the completed FR-50 form to SCDMV Titles Mail-in Unit FR-50, PO Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016-0050.
A processing fee applies to each request. Your Lexington, SC car accident lawyer can obtain the report on your behalf and review it for accuracy, including checking whether the officer recorded any factual details incorrectly that could affect your claim.
Visit Our Car Accident Attorneys in Lexington, SC
Secure Your Future After a Collision
Do not let the confusion of a collision dictate your financial future or delay your physical recovery. The moments following a crash are critical, and taking the right steps can make all the difference in your claim. You deserve a dedicated legal team that understands the specific medical realities and local traffic nuances of these incidents.
Let Stewart Law Offices shoulder the heavy burden of fighting aggressive insurance companies. Contact our firm today at (803) 520-0003 to schedule your free case evaluation and reclaim your peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Lexington, SC
If the other driver is uncooperative, do not argue with them, but instead focus on writing down their license plate number, vehicle make and model, and any distinguishing features, then immediately inform the responding police officer so they can document the refusal and help you pursue an uninsured motorist claim if necessary in the city of Lexington, SC.
While minor accidents might seem straightforward, hidden injuries like whiplash often emerge days later, and insurance adjusters are trained to offer lowball settlements quickly, so having a knowledgeable Lexington car accident attorney review your case ensures you do not accidentally waive your right to full compensation for future medical needs.
Your health insurance will likely cover your initial medical treatments, but they may place a lien on your eventual settlement to seek reimbursement, and our experienced legal professionals know how to negotiate these medical liens effectively to ensure you keep the maximum possible amount of your financial recovery.