When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, millions of things rush through your mind. It can be debilitating, but knowing what steps to take next can help. At Marks Law Group, our team of experienced car accident lawyers has the expertise and knowledge to help you recover financial compensation from the responsible party. While no amount of money can take away the anguish you have to go through, following an auto accident that was caused by another person’s negligence; the financial compensation you recover from the at-fault party can cover your medical bills and other damages, enabling you to focus solely on your recovery journey.
To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, call us today at (678) 251-9309, or chat with us online to learn your legal options.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Atlanta?
If you’re involved in a motor vehicle crash, there are certain things you can do to protect your rights and interests. Here are eight you should if you’re involved in an automobile accident:
- Stop. Never drive away from the accident scene, even if the accident was a minor fender-bender.
- Check yourself and other passengers for injuries. If you have suffered injuries, call 911 or ask someone else at the crash scene to do so. If you’re severely injured, avoid moving and wait for emergency personnel. And if you’re not injured, check on the well-being of the other passengers in the car. Further, if anyone is injured, call emergency services or ask a bystander to call for help.
- Move to a safe area. If you can move, move to the side of the road or a sidewalk. If your vehicle is safe to drive and it’s hazardous where it’s, move it to the side of the road. Otherwise, leave it where it’s and get yourself and other passengers to safety.
- Call the police. Whether the accident was a minor or a major collision, calling the police is crucial, and in Georgia, it’s a legal requirement. The responding officer will fill out an accident report and document the accident scene. However, if the police can’t come to the scene of the accident, go to the nearest police station and complete the accident report yourself, according to the III. This is crucial because when you file an insurance claim with your insurance company, they may ask for a copy of the police report to validate your claims.
- Gather evidence. After ensuring you and any passenger are uninjured, exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers. Write down the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance company and policy number, license and license plate number, type, color and model of vehicle, and location of the accident.
- Document the accident. When the police officers arrive at the accident scene, get the name and badge numbers of all responding officers. Print a copy of the police report if possible. Document the accident by taking photos of your car from different angles. Take photos showing the damage done to the other involved vehicles. Also, take a picture of the other vehicle’s license number. These photos will help you support your claim. Write down the names and addresses of all parties involved in the car accident. And if there are any witnesses to the accident, write down their names and their contact information.
- Seek medical attention. Often injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes aren’t apparent immediately. Automobile accident injuries may take days, weeks, or even months to manifest. Unless you’re completely sure you were not injured, you must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even in minor accidents, you can suffer severe or permanent injuries to your spinal cord. If you lost consciousness or were dazzled even for a short time after the accident, you might have suffered a closed head injury, traumatic brain injury, or concussion. This can cause behavioral or cognitive changes if left untreated.
- Protect your rights. One of the most important things you should do after an accident is to consult an experienced Decatur car accident lawyer. Your car accident attorney will protect your rights and make sure valuable evidence isn’t lost. Often, insurance companies want to take statements immediately after a car accident. However, it’s crucial to seek legal advice before making such a statement. Your personal injury attorney will advise you on how to make sure you recover the maximum possible financial compensation to cover your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Finally, avoid discussing fault with anyone at the scene of the accident. Even though you think you made a mistake and might be responsible for the accident; don’t admit liability. Because this can be used against you. When you file an insurance claim, insurance adjusters will review your case to determine who is at fault based on an inspection of the cars or property damaged, the information provided by you and other parties involved in the crash, and any supporting documentation, such as police reports and photographs from the accident scene.
Should I Go to the Doctor After a Minor Car Accident?
After going through a traumatic experience, such as a car accident, you may struggle to decide what to do next. From dealing with insurance claims to property damages, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, no matter how severe or minor a motor vehicle accident is, you should always make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible. This is essential for your future insurance claim, and there could be hidden health concerns that you might not see without a proper medical assessment.
Some injuries, such as whiplash, might not be apparent days or even weeks after an accident. Whiplash occurs when your neck is forced forward quickly and snapped back suddenly into its original place. This motion can cause strain on your spine, and other problems, such as headaches, back pain, and even tinnitus. However, with X-ray services at a medical center, you can make sure your neck and spine don’t have any concerning damage.
Further, internal injuries are often hard to detect because they’re not visible or painful like other injuries. Fortunately, a doctor can diagnose these injuries with X-ray services and other medical equipment. Some injuries might not be visible immediately after an auto accident, especially if they’re internal injuries. Thus, seeking medical attention should be a primary concern following an accident to make sure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Do I Get the Most Money from a Car Accident in Decatur, Georgia?
If you’re a victim of a motor vehicle accident, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Your car accident claim will have a greater monetary value if you follow these steps:
- Speak with a car accident lawyer. An experienced car accident attorney will advise you on how much money you can expect to win. Because every car accident claim is different, the legal counsel you receive from your auto accident attorney will differ from any advice given to another client.
- Inform your doctor about every injury and symptom. It doesn’t matter if you feel a small amount of pain in one part of your body. Keep your doctor informed about everything regarding your condition. Your personal injury lawyer will use these medical records as evidence of the injuries you suffered following the accident. Also, complaints and treatments recorded in your medical history will satisfy the insurance adjuster’s requirement for written proof.
- Keep a record of all your appointments with the physical therapist and doctor. If the therapist or doctor recommends more hospital visits, set up the appointments before leaving the hospital. After sustaining injuries following a car crash, you’ll need physical therapy sessions at least two or three times a week for several months. Keep going to your therapy sessions until you’re completely rehabilitated. Also, keep all your medical receipts, this'll help you prove your medical expenses.
- If you need surgery, your settlement offer will probably be higher. However, don’t have a surgical procedure for the sole purpose of getting a higher settlement offer.
- Consult with a Decatur car accident lawyer before speaking with an insurance agent. An insurance agent isn’t an attorney and doesn’t have your best interests at heart. Also, an insurance representative won’t fight on your behalf, so make sure you hire a personal injury lawyer to fight and negotiate on your behalf. Our experienced Georgia car accident lawyer will work tirelessly to make sure you get the maximum possible compensation following your car accident.
- If you go back to work, continue working for as many hours a week as your health and well-being allow. Because jurors approve of courageous, independent people. If you continue to work, you’re more likely to win favor with jurors and recover more compensation.
Contact Our Experienced Decatur Car Accidents Attorneys Today for Legal Advice!
The Marks Law Group is a Decatur personal injury law firm that specializes in car accidents and severe injury cases. Our team of car accident lawyers has successfully represented thousands of injured clients in Decatur and throughout Georgia for decades. If you have suffered injuries in an auto accident, call (678) 251-9309 today to speak with a professional Decatur car accident lawyer.
Our attorney Aaron Marks also practices in other areas around Georgia! For more information, call an auto accident attorney today!