Your Step-By-Step Car Accident Action Plan

At some point, every driver is going to become involved in some sort of accident. It’s important for all people to know what to do in an accident, especially teenagers or other newer drivers.

Car Accidents are Dangerous: Secure Your Safety

Never drive away from the scene of an accident. Do not move the vehicles unless you are obstructing traffic. If you are able to then check on yourself, the other passengers, drivers, or pedestrians who have been hit. If someone has been seriously injured then do not move them, and wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.

Dial 911 and Report the Car Accident

Georgia law requires that the police are called after an accident that has resulted in injuries or property damage above an estimated $500. Even if there are no injuries or property damage, you still want to call the police to get an official report, which is what the insurance company might require as well. Getting a police report is crucial and the car insurance company will ask for it.

Exchange Driver Information

Information to give to the other driver includes your name, telephone number, address, license plate number, auto insurance information and the make, model, and manufacturing year of the vehicles involved. If there were witnesses then get their information, too.

Tension and stress may be high so be polite and cooperative to each other. Keep in mind that your behavior and words will be noted by the police and witnesses and can be used against you in court.

Take Pictures of the Crash Scene

Be sure to get photos from many different angles of both cars, your car, the damage to the entirety of the exterior and the interior, photos of your car with your license plate clearly visible, and the other person’s car as well as their license plate. You can also take pictures of people, witnesses, landmarks, and anything that can help you, such as a visible obstruction.

Take pictures of injuries up close and from a wider angle. You should continue to take pictures of your injuries over the next few days or weeks until they fully heal.

Call Your Insurance Company

You will want to file a claim with your car insurance provider. It is mandatory under Georgia law for all drivers to be covered at least by the minimum required auto insurance policy, which includes uninsured motorist coverage.

Georgia is one of 12 states that is not a no-fault state. What this means is that the driver who caused the accident is the one responsible for damages, and for the percentage amount of responsibility they have. Damages include medical expenses and repairs to the property.

Seek Medical Attention

If you’re unsure whether or not you have been injured in the accident then it is fine to say that. In fact, it is better to admit that you’re unsure rather than decline medical attention and notice common late-onset symptoms later, such as whiplash.

Helpful Tips

Be mindful not to talk about the accident with anyone other than the police officer, your car insurance company, and an attorney. In fact, at this point, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer, especially if you’re getting phone calls from the other insurance company. Do not talk to the other insurance company or attorneys. Instead, let a competent car accident lawyer do that for you.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.