What to Do After a Car Accident in Atlanta
A car crash can leave you shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. Your mind may be racing with questions. Is anyone hurt? Should you call the police? What do you say to the other driver? You may also hear from insurance adjusters before you have had time to understand the full impact of your injuries.
This step-by-step guide explains what to do after a car accident in Atlanta, from the moments right after the collision and continuing through the days and weeks that follow. It also covers common missteps that could hurt your claim and how an Atlanta car accident lawyer can step in to protect your interests.
At Atlanta Metro Personal Injury Law Group, we know how stressful and disruptive a crash can be for you and your family. Our legal team helps people injured by careless drivers.
Check for Injuries and Move to Safety if Possible
Your health and safety come first. Take a moment to check yourself for injuries, then check on any passengers in your vehicle. If anyone is seriously hurt, don’t move them unless they’re in immediate danger, such as from a fire.
If possible, move your car to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights. Wait for emergency responders to arrive.
Call 911 and Report the Car Accident
Georgia law requires drivers to report a crash if it causes an injury, a death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more. Because even a small dent can cost more than $500 to repair today, calling 911 after a car accident is the safest choice.
Leaving the scene after a car accident in Atlanta can lead to hit-and-run charges, even if the crash wasn’t your fault. When the police arrive, answer their questions calmly and stick to the facts. Describe what you saw and experienced without guessing about speeds, distances, or what the other driver was thinking.
Before you leave the scene, ask the officer for their name, badge number, and the police report number.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Get the other driver’s full name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, and license plate number. Ask for their insurance company and policy number. Write down the vehicle’s make, model, and color.
If the driver doesn’t own the car, get the owner’s name and contact information too. Keep the conversation polite and brief. Avoid discussing who caused the crash or apologizing, since those comments can be used against you later.
Take Photos and Video of the Crash Scene
If possible, take photos and video of the collision scene before the vehicles are moved or towed. Capture damage to all cars from several angles, along with skid marks, broken glass, debris, traffic lights, road signs, and weather or road conditions.
Evidence can disappear quickly once the road is cleared after a car accident in Atlanta. Take close-up shots and wide shots showing where the vehicles ended up. Photograph any visible injuries, such as cuts or bruises, too.
Get Witness Information After a Car Accident
If anyone stopped to help or saw the crash happen, ask for their name and phone number. A neutral witness can confirm what happened if the other driver’s story changes later.
Look around for nearby businesses, homes, or traffic cameras that may have recorded the crash. Footage is often deleted or recorded over within days, so noting where cameras are located gives your lawyer a chance to request it quickly.
Seek Medical Care Even if You Feel Fine
It’s common to feel okay right after a car wreck, only to wake up sore and stiff the next day. The rush of adrenaline after a collision can hide pain, and injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding don’t always show symptoms right away.
Medical records create a link between the crash and your injuries. If you wait days or weeks after a car accident to get treatment, the insurance company may argue that you weren’t really hurt or that something else caused your injuries.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company as soon as you can. Most policies require prompt notice after a car accident. Stick to the basic facts, such as the date, time, and location of the crash and the vehicles involved. Don’t guess if you don’t know something, and don’t downplay your injuries.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney
If you were hurt because another driver was careless or reckless, a car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and options. A lawyer can handle conversations with adjusters so you can focus on getting better. Getting legal guidance early can also help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case, like giving a statement to the wrong person or accepting a low settlement offer.
Keep Records
Start a folder to keep everything related to your crash in one place. Save your medical bills, prescription receipts, and records of every doctor’s visit. Keep pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing work you missed. Hold on to repair estimates, rental car receipts, and towing bills. Write down the date, time, and name of every insurance adjuster you speak with, along with what was discussed.
It can also help to keep a daily recovery journal. Note your pain levels, trouble sleeping, activities you had to skip, and how your injuries affect your daily life. These details can be hard to remember months later, but they can help show the full impact the crash has had on you.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Crash
Insurance companies are businesses, and they often look for reasons to pay injured people less than their claims are worth. Even a small misstep can give them that opening. Knowing what mistakes to avoid after a car accident in Atlanta can help you protect your case from the start.
Posting About the Accident on Social Media
It’s natural to want to update friends and family after a crash, but social media posts can hurt your case. Adjusters may look at your accounts for anything that suggests you are exaggerating your injuries. A photo of you smiling at a birthday party or a quick post saying “Thankfully I’m okay!” can be taken out of context.
The safest approach is to stay off social media until your claim is resolved, or at least set your accounts to private and avoid posting about the crash, your injuries, or your activities.
Giving a Recorded Statement
Soon after the crash, an adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company may call you. They may sound friendly and say they want to hear your story. What you say could undermine your case. An apology, a guess about how fast you were going, or a simple “I’m doing fine” can later be used to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that your story has changed.
In most cases, you aren’t required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Before you agree to any recorded statement, talk to a lawyer.
Accepting a Low Settlement
A fast check can seem like a relief after a car accident in Atlanta. But early offers are often far less than what your claim is worth. Once you accept a settlement, you’ll usually have to sign a release that ends your claim for good.
That means you generally can’t go back and ask for more money later, even if you find out you need surgery or can’t return to work. Before you accept any offer, have a car accident lawyer review it. A lawyer can help you understand the full value of your claim, including future costs, and tell you whether the offer is fair.
When Is the Deadline for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
In most cases, Georgia gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your lawsuit, and you could lose your right to recover compensation altogether.
Some situations can change these deadlines. If your crash involved a vehicle owned by a city, county, or state agency, such as a city bus or a government truck, you may need to send a formal written notice of your claim much sooner. In certain cases, the deadline may also be paused, such as when the injured person is a minor.
Contact Atlanta Metro Personal Injury Law Group for a Free Case Review
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, you don’t have to sort through the aftermath on your own. The team at Atlanta Metro Personal Injury Law Group is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our flat 25% contingency fee is lower than what most personal injury law firms charge, so more of your recovery stays with you and your family.
Contact us at 678-752-4582 today or fill out our online form to schedule your free case review.
