Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

 

What to Do after a Car Accident in Atlanta

In the moments immediately following a car crash, you may experience a wave of shock and adrenaline that makes it difficult to think clearly and make rational decisions. By focusing on the following six post-accident steps in the aftermath of a collision, you can ensure that your health, safety and legal rights are protected.

Step 1: Call 911

If you have been in a car accident, whether someone hit your vehicle or you collided with another car, person or object, the first thing you should do is dial 911. If you are too injured to make the call yourself, ask someone else to do so. Let dispatchers know where you are and if you or anyone else appears to be hurt. 

In minutes, local police, EMTs (ambulance), and possibly firefighters should be at the accident scene. If you are hurt, do not worry about doing anything else. Wait for help to arrive and follow the instructions of first responders.

Step 2: Remain at the scene

As you wait for local authorities to arrive, be sure to stay at the scene of the accident. Fleeing an accident scene, known as a “hit and run,” is against the law in Georgia. You may move your vehicle off to the side of the road if you are able to do so safely, but do not go far. 

Once the police arrive, answer any questions they ask as honestly as you can, without admitting fault. Never admit fault to others involved in the wreck, to your insurance company, or to the police.

Step 3: Gather evidence and information

Before leaving the accident scene, be sure to get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver and anyone else involved in the collision. At this time, you should also try to take pictures and video of the accident scene to preserve the evidence for later. Using your phone camera is fine. 

Ask a bystander or passenger in your vehicle to take pictures if you are too injured or in shock to do so yourself. Be sure to snap photos or video of all vehicles involved (including your own) from multiple angles, as well as pictures of the surrounding environment and weather conditions.

Step 4: Tell your insurance company

Once you leave the accident scene, notify your auto insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. This step is essential in order to obtain compensation for your car accident damages, such as property damage and personal injury. If you fail to tell your insurer about the accident, or you wait too long, they may have grounds to refuse your claim and deny payment. 

During your initial call with the insurance company, they may ask you some preliminary questions and assign an adjuster to your case. Again, avoid admitting fault. Stick to the facts and keep your answers brief. Remember the insurance company will try to use everything you say against you to avoid paying compensation.

Step 5: See your doctor

Following a car accident, you should schedule a checkup with your doctor as soon as possible, even if you were able to walk away from the accident and do not think you were seriously harmed. Some injuries, such as whiplash and head trauma, do not always have immediate symptoms; they may show up in the days, weeks, and months after a collision. In other cases, the adrenaline and shock you experienced after the accident may be concealing certain injuries. 

A medical professional will be able to give you a clean bill of health and diagnose any internal injuries before they get worse. Be sure to follow all medical advice after a car wreck, including taking prescriptions, attending physical therapy, going to follow-up appointments, and more. Otherwise, the insurance company can argue that you clearly were not hurt, since you did not follow doctor’s orders for recovery. 

Step 6: Contact an Atlanta car accident attorney

While some minor car accidents with no injuries and little property damage can often be handled between two drivers, or between their insurance companies, victims of serious car crashes involving catastrophic injuries and major property damage should meet with a legal professional as soon as possible. 

An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help make sure you get full and fair compensation for your injuries by providing skilled representation during negotiations with the insurance company and in trial, as needed.