What To Do After a Minor Car Accident
Many people think that they can just drive away after a minor accident occurs and not have to worry about any repercussions. However, minor accidents can lead to significant property damage expenses, and individuals could sustain injuries that they are not immediately aware of. Here, we want to discuss the steps that you should take following even a minor vehicle accident that occurs on the roadways of Georgia.
1. Stay Calm
Anytime a vehicle accident occurs, even a minor accident, our adrenaline will start pumping. This can lead to a few outcomes. Individuals could panic and decide to flee the scene. Adrenaline could also cause individuals to get mad and lash out in anger at other drivers at the scene of the crash. The most important thing you can do after a minor vehicle accident is to stay calm and check others for injuries or any other immediate dangers.
2. Check for Injuries
Even if you think a vehicle accident is minor, it is crucial for you to examine yourself and others for injuries. The signs and symptoms of some vehicle accident injuries do not appear until hours or days after the crash occurs. We strongly suggest that you consider seeking medical care even after a minor vehicle accident occurs to cover your bases. If you do end up sustaining an injury and discover it after the scene has cleared, you will have a better chance of recovering compensation if you have documented the injury by seeking medical care.
3. Contact the Police
The local police department or the Georgia Highway Patrol should be notified of your vehicle accident, depending on where the incident occurred. A police report can provide valuable information that your insurance carrier will need for the accident-related claim. Georgia law requires that most vehicle accidents be reported to the police.
4. Document the Scene
We recommend that you do everything you can to document the scene of the incident. If you have a phone or another type of camera, start taking pictures of everything. This includes vehicle damage, any suspected injuries, possible causes of the crash, traffic and weather conditions, license plate numbers of all vehicles involved, and anything else that you think may be relevant. If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, you should get their names and contact information before they leave the scene.
5. Exchange Information
You absolutely need to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved. The most important information that you need includes:
- The names of all of their drivers and passengers
- The driver’s license number of the other driver(s)
- Insurance information of the other driver
- The make, model, and license plate number of other vehicles
- Contact information for other drivers and passengers
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The name and badge number of any responding law enforcement officers
6. Report to Your Insurance Carrier
You need to report the accident to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. Most car accident insurance carriers require that incidents be reported within a day or two after the incident occurs, and the sooner, the better. You do not have to go into significant detail when you make your initial report. The insurance carrier does need to know that the accident occurred, where it occurred, and whether or not you are seeking treatment for any injuries.
Contact our car accident lawyers in Atlanta today.