What to Do after a Car Accident in Georgia

Your actions right after a car accident in Georgia matter a lot. We understand that a car accident may naturally cause people to panic. But, it’s wise to stay calm as it will help you manage the situation better.

Your job after an accident is to make sure you and the other driver are okay. You should call 911 to report the accident and inform them on whether or not anyone’s injured. In this article, we will discuss in detail the steps to follow after a car accident in Georgia. What you do can directly impact the claims process and possibly prolong it.

Here’s what you need to know.

What to Do Following a Car Accident in Georgia

You should take into consideration the following steps if you get into an accident.

Call 911

You should start by dialing 911 to inform them of the accident and report whether or not either party is injured. The police may ask some basic questions regarding your location and the intensity of the accident before dispatching a unit to the scene. Once the police arrive, an officer will ask both parties the details of the accident and make a police report. You’ll need this document later on for insurance purposes.

Avoid Arguing

Keep in mind, getting into an argument with the other driver over whose at fault won’t do you any good. Instead, it’s best to remain calm and wait for the police to arrive. Maintaining a civil attitude during this time will also help you strengthen your legal case afterward.

Write Down Witnesses

If anyone else witnessed the accident you should get their names and contact information. This is because some witnesses might not stick around until the police arrive. If that is the case then you can provide the police with the names of the witnesses and they can contact them. If you believe you aren’t at fault and you have others to corroborate your story then you’ll be better off.

Take Pictures

Photographs can help determine dangerous driving conditions, real-time impact results on the vehicles involved in the accident, and much more. You may be able to prove several factors that lead to the accident and keep yourself safe from lawsuits. Therefore, you should try to take photographs as soon as you can after an accident.

Be Respectful

You should always maintain a respectful attitude towards the police officer, no matter how angry you are over the accident. We suggest you turn down the music, put down your phone, address them as sir/ma’am, and remain patient. Forcing things and overreacting will only worsen your case and make things harder for you.

If you suspect the other driver was distracted or drinking, now is the time to mention it.

Getting Towed

If your vehicle ends up needing a tow then make sure you remove your belongings from the car. It may be a while before you can access it again.

For more information on how much does a tow truck cost, refer to our article.

Bottom Line

Remaining calm and handling the situation maturely will benefit in the long run. You should contact 911 and your car insurance company, avoid arguing, take photographs of the crash site, collect witnesses’ information, and talk to the police officers respectfully. These simple steps will make the experience and insurance claims process much smoother.