Steps to Take After a Car Accident In Atlanta
A car accident is terrifying and both physically and emotionally traumatic. After an accident, you may be too injured or incapacitated to take purposeful action to protect yourself, relying instead on others. However, many accident victims can safely use their phones at the scene to preserve critical evidence or ask an uninjured companion to use a phone for them. By understanding what steps to take after an accident, your physical and financial recovery begins immediately after the accident.
What You Should Do Before Leaving the Accident Scene
Georgia’s fault-based car accident laws require an injury victim seeking compensation for their damages, like medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, to file a claim against the responsible party. Unfortunately, insurance companies often protect the company’s profits at the injury victim’s expense unless the accident victim has compelling evidence and assertive legal representation. Protecting your physical and financial future sometimes begins at the accident scene by doing the following:
- First, call 911 to report the accident and perform any necessary emergency first aid
- Then, use your phone’s camera to take photos of the accident scene, including the damaged vehicles and anything relevant, such as an intersection, traffic signs, and anything that caused or contributed to the accident
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Add the contact information of the other driver or drivers involved
- Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Record what you remember about the accident while it’s fresh in your mind
Always go directly to a hospital after an accident, either in an ambulance for serious injuries or by arranging transportation from the accident scene if your injuries are not critical. This not only ensures that you receive the emergency care you need but also provides clear evidence that your injuries occurred in the accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident In Atlanta
Once you’re at the hospital following a car accident, ask for a full medical assessment as well as treatment for your emergency injuries. This helps to diagnose and treat injuries with delayed symptom presentation as well as evident emergency injuries. Then, ask for a detailed medical report listing all of your injuries, the doctor’s treatment recommendations, and your prognosis for recovery. The medical report becomes key evidence in a Georgia car accident claim.
Be sure to report your accident to your insurance company. Then, call an Atlanta car accident lawyer for experienced legal representation throughout every step of your car accident claim.
During the claim process, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations carefully and avoid posting about your accident and injuries on social media.
What A Georgia Car Accident Attorney Does After an Accident
Once you’ve hired an experienced personal injury attorney in Atlanta, direct all communication with the insurance companies to your lawyer. Your Georgia car accident lawyer will do the following:
- Investigate all aspects of the accident to identify who was responsible for the crash and any other entities that caused or contributed to the accident
- Document compelling evidence of the at-fault party’s liability for the accident
- Carefully calculate your damages, like medical expenses, future medical expenses related to the injuries, and compensation for pain and suffering
- Send their findings to the appropriate insurance company
- Negotiate with the insurance company seeking the largest possible settlement for your damages
Over 93% of car accident claims are resolved through settlements, but if the insurance company wrongfully disputes, denies, or delays progress on your claim, your attorney will take the matter to court and seek a jury award for your damages.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Attorney
When an accident causes significant physical and economic damages, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side. Call Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC for skilled, assertive legal representation to maximize your chances of a favorable result.