If you have ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you know the routine. You and the other driver talk about the accident and whether you should call the cops. Deep down, you know you should but there’s also a part of you that just wants to be on your way.
The last thing you feel like doing is calling the cops and waiting hours for them to investigate the crash. You figure, since the crash seems minor, it isn’t a big deal. Unfortunately, our Athens accident attorney has met with one too many accident victims who failed to call the cops and lived to regret it.
Here, we will discuss why it’s important to call the police immediately after your Athens car accident. We will also explain why it’s important to your car accident lawyer in Athens that you call 911. If they don’t have a copy of the police report, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to prove your case.
If the insurance company decides to deny your claim, your only option will be to pursue the other driver for damages. The best way to do that is to call and speak with a seasoned Athens accident attorney.
There are 3 Things You Must Do After Every Car Accident – No Matter How Minor
We always tell our clients that there are certain steps they need to take after their Athens car accident. The first thing you need to do is call the police. They will come out to the accident scene and do a thorough investigation. They will also provide you with a police report that your car accident lawyer in Athens will use to prove your case in court.
The second thing you need to do is go to the hospital to be examined by a doctor. They will run the necessary tests to determine the nature and extent of your injuries. Like the police, the emergency room doctor will also put their findings in writing. These notes will become part of your medical records.
Finally, once you know that you are physically okay, you need to call an experienced Athens accident attorney. They will review your case and let you know if it’s worth pursuing.
You Need the Police to Come Out and Do a Thorough Investigation of the Accident
If the cops don’t come out to the accident scene, they won’t be able to do their investigation. When they put their findings into their police report, your car accident lawyer in Athens will be able to reference it when arguing your case. Some of the information in that report will prove very helpful in proving your case and getting you damages.
Some of this information includes the following:
- Name and contact information for the various drivers involved in the crash
- A description of the accident scene and road conditions
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Statements made by the drivers involved
- Statements made by any witnesses
- Footage of any intersection cameras
- The drivers’ license, registration, and insurance information
- Information regarding any citations issued at the accident scene, including arrests for DUI
This information will be critical to proving fault on the part of the defendant. That’s the only way for you to collect the compensation you deserve.
It’s Also Critical that the Cops Arrange for an Ambulance to Take You to the Hospital
In addition to providing your Athens accident attorney with a copy of the police report, the cops will also arrange for you to go to the hospital. A lot of people refuse to seek medical treatment after their Georgia car accident. That is a big mistake.
The best way to prove that you were injured is to submit a copy of your medical records. If you don’t go to the hospital right away, the defendant’s lawyer will argue that something other than the crash caused your injuries. That’s the last thing you need.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Athens Will Fight to Get You Damages
For someone who has been involved in a car accident, the last thing they feel like doing is calling the police. Many of our clients would much rather just exchange insurance information with the other driver and be on their way. By the time the cops come and do their investigation, a good hour or two have passed.
Then, by the time you go to the hospital and get checked out by an emergency room doctor, several more hours will have passed. After all this, you just want the matter to be over. You figure you’ll submit your claim to the insurance company and wait for your check. You have no idea that your claim could be denied. You certainly don’t think you’ll need to hire a car accident lawyer in Athens.
The truth is that, even in a minor car accident, you need to follow the steps outlined here. Not only is it against the law to leave the scene of an accident, but you also need to protect your rights. Our Athens accident attorneys have decades of combined experience handling cases like yours. They understand your frustration, but they also understand that you have a right to compensation.
If the other driver caused the crash, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag. If they caused the accident, their insurance carrier should cover your medical care and any other out-of-pocket expenses. Your best chance of having this happen is to call the police and follow standard procedures after your accident.
We suggest that anybody who has been injured in a car accident call our office. Take the time to sit down and talk to an experienced Athens accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash. This will give you the best chance of collecting the damages you deserve. It will also help protect your rights should the other driver decide to pursue you for damages instead. Since we offer all new clients a free, initial consultation, you’ve got nothing to lose.