If you’ve been in a Georgia car accident that wasn’t your fault, there are crucial steps you should take to protect your health and your right to seek fair compensation from the at-fault party if necessary. You might know that you could take legal action to recover money for your medical bills, lost wages, repairs to your vehicle, and more. But you might not know that the right time to act is immediately after the crash occurs.
The attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC have provided a checklist for what to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Make Sure You Are Safe
After an accident, it’s critical to get to safety as soon as possible. You’ll want to get out of the path of oncoming traffic right away. If it’s safe, move your car off to the side of the road. Stay close to the scene of the crash, though. Take a look for any other potential hazards, such as a fire in your vehicle or another car involved in the accident.
Get Information
You need to get several vital pieces of information from anyone else involved in the accident.
At a minimum, you need to get the other drivers’:
- Name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Insurance information
- License plate number
Once you’ve done this, take photos of the crash scene and surrounding area. Be sure to take pictures of the damage to your car and any injuries you have. If there are any eyewitnesses to the accident, get their contact information.
Call the Police
You or another person might have severe injuries, so call 911 to allow police and emergency medical personnel to find you. Calling the police also ensures that a written record of the crash will be created and filed.
Get a Copy of the Accident Report
Once the police have completed their investigation, request a copy of the accident report. This report will have a basic account of the crash and may indicate why the other driver or another party is responsible for the accident. You can send this report to your insurance company later on.
Don’t Post Anything on Social Media
Don’t say anything about the accident on social media. Insurance companies can find anything you post and use your statements or photos on social media against you, so you don’t want to give them anything to use. A seemingly innocent image or post could cost you a lot of money down the line.
Don’t Talk to Any Insurance Companies Before Contacting a Lawyer
No matter how nice they seem, the insurance companies are not your friends. They want to resolve your claim quickly while paying out as little as possible. Anything you say to an insurer could come back to bite you if you aren’t careful. This applies to your own insurance company as well, not just the other driver’s insurer. The only communication any insurance company should receive from you after an accident should come from your lawyer.
Get a Car Accident Attorney
You need to protect your rights after a car accident so you can get the money you need. A car accident attorney can investigate the crash, figure out who’s liable for your injuries, and help you file a claim for compensation.
Seeking compensation on your own without extensive legal experience and knowledge of the insurance company’s approach could be disastrous. You might find yourself stuck with a settlement that doesn’t cover all of the costs you’ve incurred due to the crash. Or, even worse, you might not recover anything at all. You’ll have a better chance of recovering what you’re entitled to if you hire an attorney who has successfully handled car accident claims like yours to represent you.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in Gwinnett County Today
The Gwinnett County car accident attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC are here to help you with what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault. Contact our office in Duluth, GA, today for a free initial consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys now.
