Important Steps to Take If You Are Injured in An Auto Accident
Approximately six million car crashes occur in the United States each year, resulting in bodily injuries to more than three million people. You may end up struggling with expensive medical bills, loss of income, and prolonged pain and suffering if you get injured in a car accident due to another’s fault.
A reliable car accident attorney in Georgia can help you obtain the necessary financial compensation that helps cover your damages and losses and enables you to move forward with your life. How you act and respond in the aftermath of your car accident and injury can make an important difference to your claim for damages.
The following steps can be useful for maximizing your compensation amount.
Make Sure You are Safe
It’s normal to feel shaky and disoriented after an auto crash. Take a deep breath and try to focus on your injuries. Turn on your hazard lights and pull the vehicle into a safe space, away from the traffic. Get out of the car immediately if you smell leaking gas. You can always leave the car where it is if you don’t feel safe or comfortable driving the car.
You need to place your personal safety above everything else. Don’t leave the scene of the car crash. This may put you at risk and make it difficult to file a claim later.
Assess your injuries to determine whether you need medical attention. Look at other occupants of the car and any other person in the vicinity that may have been injured. Call 911 if you think you or someone else has been injured.
You may not experience pain immediately following the injury. It may take a few days after the crash for the pain to surface in waves. This is why you should consider visiting a family doctor, going to the emergency room, or an urgent care clinic following the car crash.
Call the Police
You should call the police once you move the car to a safe spot. In Georgia, it’s legally required to report an accident that results in property damage worth at least $500 or injury to the local police department, state patrol, or county sheriff. This helps your claim as well since the police will make an accident report which can be used by your attorney to evaluate your legal case.
The police report is usually detailed and documents information about the parties involved and the manner in which the accident occurred. You should get the investigating officer’s name and badge number as well. This will streamline the process of obtaining the police report.
Avoid small talk with the other driver or people on the street while you wait. Don’t offer your opinion about the crash. Instead, use the time to exchange necessary insurance information.
Take Photos, Videos and Collect Records at the Accident Site
You should try to make a record of the following while you are still at the scene of the accident:
- Driver’s information including name, phone number, address, and license number
- Date and time of the accident
- Place where the accident took place
- Road you were traveling on
- Direction of both the cars
- Driving conditions
- Detailed recollection of what happened
You are likely to forget the details of the accident in the days and weeks following the wreck. You should make notes while you are still on the scene. Don’t forget to take videos and as many photographs as you can.
Take pictures of your bodily injuries and property damage. You must take photos of the other car too. Note down eyewitness contact information as well.
Get a Seasoned Car Accident Attorney on Your Side as Soon as Possible
You should keep a record of your hospital and doctor visits if you received any medical care following the accident. You should also maintain records of any treatments and prescriptions you received.
At the first opportunity after your urgent medical care, you should consult with a reputable personal injury lawyer. They will be able to help you understand your legal rights and strategize the best course of action you should take.
Don’t forget to let your attorney know the details regarding the accident and provide any photos, videos, notes, eyewitness contact details, and other potential evidence you may have. This will help them prepare a compelling case for maximum damages.
Discuss a Winning Legal Strategy with our Atlanta, GA Auto Accident Attorneys
The car accident attorneys at Miller Injury Trial Law have the required skills, resources, and dedication to provide strong legal representation. Our lawyers have years of experience helping clients protect their rights and hold responsible parties fully accountable.
To schedule your free consultation, call us at 855-44MILLER or fill out this online contact form.
