Your first actions can make or break your claim. After you’re safe and medical care is underway, focus on documentation while it’s still fresh:
- Write down details immediately: approximate time, direction of travel, vehicle description (color, type, damage style), and anything distinctive.
- Photograph what you can: your injuries (as allowed), vehicle damage, roadway conditions, and any debris.
- Get the police report number if law enforcement is involved. Keep copies of what’s filed.
- Identify nearby cameras fast: in and around busy commercial areas, grocery centers, and workplaces, footage is often retained briefly.
- List potential witnesses: especially people who were nearby at the time—patrons, employees, or passersby—before they move on.
If you’re thinking about asking an “AI hit-and-run lawyer” for quick guidance, that can help you organize your thoughts—but it can’t replace the legal work needed to preserve evidence, interpret timelines under South Carolina law, and respond to insurance demands.


