Traffic accidents can happen in a matter of seconds and cause life-changing injuries and emotional trauma for the victims. If you have been hurt in one, it is important to receive medical care as soon as possible and work on a course of action that can help protect your rights.
1. Stay calm and dial 911
After the crash, you must remain at the scene and call 911 to ask for emergency assistance. If you have passengers with you, check each other for signs of injuries and let them know that the paramedics are on the way.
2. Notify the police
Under Georgia car accident laws, you must report the accident to the police or the Georgia state patrol if it has caused an injury, a death or over $500 in property damage.
If the law enforcers respond to your call, they will go to the scene to investigate the incident and generate an official crash report using vital information from you, the other party and any other witnesses in the area.
3. Gather evidence
Before you leave the scene, you need to request your crash report’s identification number from the officers-in-charge. By obtaining this report, you can help support the details of your personal injury claim.
You also need to exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver. If you have a dash cam, make sure to secure a copy of the accident’s footage on your computer.
4. Seek medical care
After dealing with the primary factors of your car accident, you and/or your passengers must go to the hospital to seek proper treatments for your injuries. Delaying medical care can worsen your symptoms and physical conditions.
As a good rule of thumb, you need to keep all your medical records and hospital billings in one place and make extra copies of them for your claims process.
5. Call your insurance company
Before calling your insurer to inform them of the accident, you must keep your composure and ensure that you do not provide them with any specific details that can imply fault for the crash.
For instance, taking blame for the crash when you only answered out of panic can lower your total claim amount.
You deserve to focus on your recovery
While it may seem overwhelming to file your claim while you are still recovering from your injuries, understanding how the process works can help minimize the occurrence of legal hurdles along the way.
By doing so, you can receive timely support for your medical expenses and focus on your recovery without feeling burdened by your financial worries.