The minutes after a car accident are stressful, confusing, and often painful. At Vitae Chiropractic Clinic in Greenville, SC, we meet patients every week who did not know what to do in those first moments, and who later wished someone had walked them through it. This guide explains what to do immediately after a car accident in South Carolina, so you can protect your health and your rights.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Your first priority is safety. If you can do so without causing more harm, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. If anyone is seriously hurt, or if you suspect a neck or back injury, stay still and call 911. Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or even days, so never assume you are fine just because nothing hurts yet.
- Call 911 if anyone is injured, unconscious, or if the vehicles cannot be moved.
- Avoid twisting or jerking your neck if you feel stiffness, tingling, or dizziness.
- Turn off the engine and keep your seat belt on until you know it is safe to move.
- Check on every passenger, including children, even if they say they feel okay.
Step 2: Call the Police and Document the Scene
In South Carolina, you are required to report a crash that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record that insurance companies rely on later. While you wait for officers to arrive, collect as much information as you safely can.
- Photos of all vehicles, license plates, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs.
- Names, phone numbers, and insurance details for every driver involved.
- Contact information for any witnesses who saw the crash.
- The responding officer name, badge number, and the police report number.
Be polite, but avoid admitting fault or guessing about what happened. Simply state the facts as you remember them.
Step 3: Get Evaluated Even If You Feel Fine
Many of the most common crash injuries, including whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue damage, do not show symptoms right away. Inflammation builds over time, and stiffness or headaches may only appear the next morning or the following week. Waiting can also make it harder to connect your pain to the accident when an insurance claim is filed.
A chiropractor trained in auto accident care can examine your spine, test your range of motion, and look for signs of hidden injury. At Vitae Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Yamira Valentín takes time to listen to what happened and builds a care plan around your specific injuries.
Step 4: Watch for Warning Signs in the Days After
Pay close attention to your body over the next several days. Symptoms that suggest you should be seen promptly include:
- Neck pain or stiffness that worsens over time.
- Headaches that begin at the base of the skull.
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
- Lower back pain or pain when sitting, standing, or bending.
- Dizziness, trouble concentrating, or trouble sleeping.
If you notice any of these, do not wait for them to go away on their own. Early care often leads to faster recovery and lowers the risk of long-term chronic pain.
Step 5: Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Soon after the crash, the other driver insurance adjuster may call you and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one right away. It is reasonable to say you are still receiving medical care and would like time to understand your injuries. Keep copies of every document, medical record, and bill related to the accident, because this paperwork supports your claim.
Step 6: Follow Through With Your Care Plan
Recovery takes consistency. Attending your appointments, following home exercise guidance, and documenting your progress all help your body heal and keep a clear medical record. Chiropractic care is a gentle, drug-free option that focuses on restoring spinal alignment, reducing inflammation, and improving mobility after a collision.
Hurt in a Car Accident in Greenville, SC? We Are Here to Help
You do not have to figure this out alone. Vitae Chiropractic Clinic provides compassionate, expert care for car accident injuries in Greenville, SC, and we are happy to explain your options with no pressure. Call us today at (864) 359-9421 to schedule your evaluation.
