Injured in a Hit-and-Run in South Carolina?
How We Can Help You

Imagine driving down I-385 on your way from Greenville to Columbia when someone sideswipes you out of nowhere. You’re forced off the road as they speed over the horizon.

At this point, frustration can quickly turn to outrage. What should you do after a hit-and-run? What if you’re hurt? Who will pay for the damage to your car or other harms and losses you suffered?

You don’t have to figure out the answers on your own. Call 1-866-900-7078 for a free case evaluation, right now.

Nearly 5,000 hit-and-run accidents occurred in the Palmetto State in 2021, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s “South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book.”

While injury lawyers generally do not deal with criminal law, it is important to know that a hit-and-run driver who leaves the scene of a traffic collision in South Carolina is breaking the law!

In South Carolina, according to section 56-5-1210, a driver who flees the scene of an accident can be held criminally liable.

5 Steps You Should Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

So you were involved in a crash, but the other driver has fled the scene. What do you do next? Stay calm and follow these steps. If you’re injured, the first step should always be to call 9-1-1 to seek medical assistance – take care of yourself first and foremost, and any of the passengers in your vehicle. If applicable, here are the next steps:

1. DO NOT PURSUE. If you do, you would also be leaving the scene of the accident. You’re not a police officer. Trying to pursue a hit-and-run driver could be dangerous in many ways, including breaking traffic laws or causing an accident. Record a description of the other vehicle, after you have attended to the health and safety of yourself and others involved(if you can, while it’s fresh in your mind).

Whether you write it down, type it into your phone, or even record it with your phone’s camera, get the best description you can:

• What color was it?
• How old was it?
• Were there any identifying marks or stickers?
• Can you describe the driver?
• Did you get some or all of the license plate?

2. Call the police.They have a process for dealing with traffic accidents. They’re going to take your statement and record evidence. Write down your own account of the crash, and include as many details as you can including locations, directions, and traffic conditions. Take pictures – lots of them.

3. See your doctoras needed. Even if you don’t feel bad right after the crash, you may feel the effects in the coming days. Some injuries, like whiplash, can take time before symptoms form. Monitor your health carefully. If you have new aches or pains, trouble sleeping, feel dizzy or nauseous, or anything out of the ordinary, consult with your physician and tell them about the crash.

4. Call an attorney. The authorities may never catch the hit-and-run driver, and either way, you’ll want to file an insurance claim. If the other driver is caught, they may not even have insurance. An experienced hit-and-run lawyer will be able to guide you, help protect your best interests, and deal with the insurance company and paperwork. This is especially helpful if you’re injured, as it allows you to focus on recovery while a legal professional focuses on the insurance claim.

5. Call your insurance provider.If the other driver cannot be located, or if they are and have no insurance, your own insurance policy may end up covering the damage. How this is handled depends on your policy. No matter what happens, remember that most insurance companies make more money by paying out as little as possible. Having an attorney means you can refer the insurer to your lawyer to avoid dealing directly with them.

Does My Insurance Have to Pay for a Hit-and-Run Crash?

If you are injured, you may again be turning to your policy. You have medical coverage – it is required in South Carolina, though the amounts may vary based on your location.

Even if the other driver is located, you may still have to lean on your policy. That driver may not have insurance – which may be the reason they fled the scene in the first place! If the driver does have insurance, they may not have enough, which is when underinsured motorist policies can kick in.

In South Carolina – Uninsured Motorist coverage is required, but Underinsured Motorist coverage is optional.

How a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Can Help You

A skilled advocate can help you sort through types of coverage and your potential eligibility for the different coverages, and then negotiate with the insurance company aggressively on your behalf:

1. Types of coverage

If the other driver was found, what type of coverage do they have? If the other driver can’t be found, what kind of coverage do you have? What are some coverages you might not know about that you could be eligible for, like the diminished value of your car after repairs?

2. Eligibility for Coverage

Unfortunately, this is not as simple as just reading through the policy. There are rules for when the various policies apply, and the rules vary by state.

In South Carolina, contact between the vehicles is not required. You may still be able to recover through an Uninsured Motorist policy if you have a witness willing to provide an affidavit.

3. Fighting the Insurance Company

The insurance companies are on their own side, not yours. An insurance company is unlikely to offer extra information about the compensation you may be eligible for. They often have a strong financial interest in giving you as little as possible. You want a team in your corner that can go toe-to-toe with formidable opponents.

Why Hire a James Scott Farrin Attorney for a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

Our recognized professionals have inside knowledge of how the other side works. Several were formerly defense attorneys for the insurance industry.

We’ve helped many people in need, and we can help you, too.

In 2023, we recovered over $225 million in total for over 5,000 clients. Since our firm began, we’ve recovered more than $1.8 billion total for more than 65,000 people.¹

Protect Your Rights – Free Case Evaluation

Being in an accident of any kind and not knowing what to do next is a lonely, stressful feeling. An experienced advocate can help you shoulder the load.

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact us online or call us at 1-866-900-7078 today to try and ensure you get everything you may be entitled to.

A real person is on standby. We’ll evaluate your case for free.

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