WHAT TO DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN GEORGIA?

Being involved in a car accident is a frightening and stressful experience. However, if you have been injured and intend to pursue a personal injury claim, it is vital to comply with certain legal requirements imposed by Georgia law. 

If you have been involved in an automobile crash in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia, do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney to help you file a claim and seek the compensation you are entitled to. Contact our Atlanta car accident attorneys at Hoffspiegel Law to discuss your case.

7 steps to take after a car accident in Georgia

1. Report the accident

The first thing you should do following a vehicle crash is to notify local authorities of the accident. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273, drivers of vehicles involved in a car accident must report the crash to a local police department if the collision involved bodily injuries, death, or at least $500 in property damage. 

2. Remain at the accident scene

Georgia law requires all motorists to immediately stop their vehicle and stay at the scene of the crash (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270). Also, under state law, a driver involved in an accident must: 

1. Provide their name, address, and registration number of the vehicle; 
2. Show their driver’s license upon request; and
3. Render any reasonable assistance, if necessary, to victims or make arrangements for the transportation of injured persons to a local hospital. 

Also, each motorist must provide the name of the liability insurance company for the vehicle involved in the collision. 

3. Remove your vehicle from the roadway

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-275, drivers have a duty to remove their motor vehicles from the roadway if the crash did not result in apparent serious injuries or death unless the vehicles are incapacitated or the removal cannot be done safely. 

4. Notify your insurance company

One of the obligations of an insured motorist in Georgia is to notify their insurance company of any accidents as soon as possible. Failure to report the accident or an unreasonable delay in notifying the insurer may result in the denial of your personal injury or property damage claim. 

5. Take photos and videos

Take pictures of the scene of your car accident. Documenting the accident scene can help you strengthen your claim and assist in the investigation. Take photos and record videos of: 

• The damage to all vehicles involved
• Apparent injuries of those involved in the crash
• Skid marks
• The positioning of the automobiles
• Road signs and traffic lights in the area

Your experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta could also help you get access to traffic camera footage and video surveillance footage from buildings and businesses in the area. 

6. Seek medical attention

If you have been injured in a car crash, seek medical care right away. In fact, it may be a good idea to seek medical attention even if you feel completely fine. It is not uncommon for people involved in accidents to experience delayed injury symptoms days or even weeks after the collision. 

Failure to seek medical attention to diagnose and document your injury could jeopardize your personal injury claim. The insurance company would have an excuse to argue that your injury was not severe enough if you did not need to go to a doctor immediately. 

7. Contact an Atlanta car accident attorney

Last but not least, you need to speak with a knowledgeable and detail-oriented car accident lawyer to analyze your unique situation and assist you in filing a claim.  

It is highly advised to contact an attorney after a car accident in Georgia to understand your legal options to recover maximum compensation. Schedule a consultation with our attorneys Lloyd and Alex Hoffspiegel to discuss your case. Contact Hoffspiegel Law by calling (404) 760-8600 to get a consultation.