Car accidents are a stressful experience, no matter how minor they may appear. It is significant to understand that an injury can remain there a long time after the incident is over. Any minor car accident in Georgia must be taken seriously and not ignored at any cost. Surprisingly, Georgia’s car accident statistics for 2020 were quite the same as compared to 2019’s statistics.
There are certain steps that every driver and passenger should take following the incident. Whenever you get involved in a car accident of any degree, ensure the following guidelines:
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Scrutinize the Injuries:
All injuries do not appear right away after a car accident. It is always the best policy to get medical assistance to look out for hidden injuries. As much as you would want to get in touch with a car accident attorney first, do not ignore seeking medical help immediately either. Even if there are no visible injuries, a doctor will know if there are any hidden injuries. Many injuries appear over time due to the adrenaline and shock from the crash; that could numb or dull injuries within the body for the time being.
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Take Pictures/ Videos of the Accident Immediately:
It is important to take photos and videos of the location right after a car accident before the authorities clear out the scene. This will be beneficial for your car accident lawsuit as photos and videos are important pieces of evidence that strengthen your case. Make sure to take as many photos and videos of the cars and surroundings as you can.
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Move Your Vehicle Off the Street if Possible:
Once you are done with taking the picture, move your vehicle off the highway if you can. This will allow the traffic to flow and won’t create problems for other drivers. A road shoulder or any nearby parking lot would be a perfect place to move your car to.
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Call the Authorities to Report Your Minor Car Accident in Georgia:
In most cases, other drivers try to have a discussion after a car accident. It is always better to avoid any such discussions and contact the proper law enforcement authorities as soon as possible. The first thing you should do is to call the police at your earliest, even if it’s not an emergency at the site of the incident.
Make sure to inform the assigned police office about your minor car accident in Georgia and that no one is hurt or injured. This way, they will create an accident report, rather than calling an ambulance. An insurance company can easily deny your claim if there is no official accident report presented to them.
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Don’t Admit the Blame for the Crash:
Another common mistake that many drivers make is that they get confused and anxious when they offer the other driver a statement of fault. This can easily fail your compensation claim. Therefore, you must restrain from apologizing for the accident as it may imply that you are at fault. Try to stay relaxed, calm, and patient while you wait for the concerned authorities to arrive at the scene.
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Take Their Contact and Insurance Information:
Exchanging insurance and contact details is a very important part of any car accident once it’s happened. This exchange of information, however, should always be professional. The details you need to typically ask for include the other driver’s name, address, contact number, and the policy number of their insurance. If the other vehicle is also carrying passengers, be sure to take their contact details as well.
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Stay at the Accident Site:
Until the police arrive at the accident scene, be sure to stay there. Unless either or both of the drivers involved have to go to the hospital for catering to any injuries, this is considered to be a federal offense. Do not flee under any circumstances otherwise.
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Notify Your Insurance Agency:
Once the dust has settled at the place of the accident, you need to get in touch with your insurance agency and alert them about the accident as well as notify them about the damages. This will secure you and your claim.
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Consult a Car Accident Attorney:
Injuries sometimes do not appear straight away. Moreover, damages can turn out to be a lot costlier than one might expect even for a minor car accident in Georgia. In such a situation, the best thing to do is to get in touch with a competent lawyer who will take up your case and handle all the legal proceedings for you.
Once you have alerted your insurance company, the best thing you can do is let your lawyer handle the rest because insurance companies will try to decrease the amount of your claim. Your lawyer will take care of everything on your behalf and ensure you get the claim you deserve.