Understanding & Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Georgia roads, and knowing how to protect your interests in the aftermath of a car wreck is crucial. The value of your case can either be maximized or minimized depending on what you do in the minutes and days immediately after the accident.
Immediate Steps to Take at the Scene of the Wreck
Ensure Safety:
Move to a safe location, if possible, away from traffic. Check yourself and passengers for injuries.
Call 911/Ambulance:
Report the accident and request medical assistance if needed. Remain at the scene until the police have arrived and completed their investigation and advise the other driver that you do not consent to them leaving the scene if they attempt to do so prior to the arrival of the police.
If you are seriously injured and cannot safely drive, take an ambulance to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of your injuries.
Survey the Scene for Cameras:
Look for buildings or traffic lights that have cameras that may have captured the wreck.
Document the Scene:
Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage for all vehicles involved in the wreck, and any visible bodily injuries.
Exchange Information:
Get contact and insurance details from the other driver(s). Do this even if the police are coming because it is not uncommon for them to write down inaccurate information. Ensure that you get a picture of the other driver’s license, license plate, and insurance card.
Look for witnesses:
Check to see if there is anyone at the scene who witnessed the accident and be sure to get their contact information and ask them to provide a statement to the police.
Injured? Get Help Now
Filing Claims & Dealing with Insurance Companies
If you have been involved in a car wreck, you may be anxious to hurry up and contact the insurance company to report the accident. However, it is important to understand that insurance companies often aim to minimize their financial exposure in any given claim, so it is crucial that you are careful about what you say when speaking with one of their representatives.
We highly recommend hiring an attorney before ever speaking with the insurance company. However, if you absolutely must contact the insurance company before hiring an attorney, remember the following:
1. Do Not Allow the Statement to be Recorded: In the event that you say something that is potentially harmful to your case, you don’t want the insurance company to have it on the record.
2. Provide Only the Details Necessary for Filing a Claim: Insurance companies don’t need every single available detail about the wreck in order to open a claim. Therefore, be sure to stick to details regarding the date, time, location of the wreck, parties involved, vehicle information, and a very basic description of how the wreck occurred. Do not discuss your injuries or medical care with the insurance company before you hire an attorney.
3. Do Not Admit Fault or Speculate: When asked to describe how the wreck occurred, avoid speculating about what the other driver was or wasn’t doing, and definitely do not admit if you were at fault for the wreck.
4. Do Not Accept a Settlement Offer: If the insurance company offers you a settlement early on in your case, chances are they just want to close out the claim before you have a chance to present evidence that supports a much larger financial settlement. They also know that once you accept their offer, the agreement is final and your claim cannot be re-opened in order to try to negotiate a better deal later on.