Conyers Car Accident Lawyer

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Conyers

Whether you were involved in a rear-end accident or a wreck resulting in your car rolling over, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe and potentially build a strong personal injury case in the future. These include:

1. Call 9-1-1

First, make sure you stop your car and swap information with the other people involved in the accident. Call the police, even if you do not think anyone seems hurt. The police will write up an accident report that includes who was cited, where the accident took place, and a diagram of what happened.

The police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a lawsuit. Without it, it can be very difficult to prove who was at fault, what damage was done to your vehicle, injuries sustained, and other valuable information. Make sure you accurately describe what happened, but never admit fault to a police officer or anyone else at the scene.

2. Seek medical attention

When you call 9-1-1, you should request an ambulance, even if you think no one suffered serious injuries. Often, minor car accidents can still result in some injuries like neck injuries, spine injuries, back injuries, and head injuries. 

One of the most important things to remember is that even if you do not want to go on the ambulance, it is extremely important to get to a doctor right away and tell them what hurts. Having a doctor’s notes in writing will help your lawyer interpret how the injuries you sustained were caused by the accident and how they may practically impact your life going forward.

3. Take notes and pictures

Once you have filed a report with the police officer, write the details of the accident down while they are fresh in your mind. Collect information including: 

• The time of the accident
• The make and model of car involved 
• The contact and personal information of all those involved
• The location of the collision 
• The road conditions
• The contact information of the police officer who drafted the report 

If you are able, you should also take photos at the scene of the wreck. This includes photos of property damage, road conditions, weather conditions, injuries, and anything else that you may think is important. It is always better to have too much evidence than not enough.

4. Speak to an attorney before your insurance company

Whether you were at fault or not, you are required by law to report any collision to your insurance provider. When you talk to them initially, be wary of what you say. The insurance agent may say they are looking out for you, but in reality, they are looking for any reason to deny your claim. You should only provide your contact information and the factual details of the accident. 

If the insurance agent starts asking probing questions, firmly but politely tell them to direct all questions to your lawyer. An experienced attorney knows how to handle the insurance company and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. You can also hire an attorney before speaking to the insurance company at all, but you must do so within the first couple of days after the accident.