It’s important for anyone involved in a car accident in Atlanta to understand that even though it may seem like just a minor inconvenience at the time, every car accident should be taken seriously.
Even if you feel fine at the time of the accident, an accident injury can still present itself in the hours, days, or weeks after the accident.
Accident victims should not assume that all is well simply because they feel fine at the scene of the accident.
Figuring out what to do after an auto collision in Atlanta can be confusing, especially if you’ve been injured or never been in one yourself before.
It isn’t easy to know where to start and what you should be expecting.
But, if you’ve been injured in an accident, contact an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer.
There are several other things every driver should do after being injured in a car crash in Atlanta.
We’ll go over a few of them in the article below.
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Check For Any Injuries
Not all injuries are immediately apparent after an auto accident, but if you do notice an immediate injury, you need to seek medical attention right away.
If you aren’t injured, you should check to see if anyone else involved in the accident has been injured.
If they have, call 911 to seek medical assistance and report their injuries.
In addition to EMTs to treat injuries, a police officer will also come to the scene to file a police report.
If you don’t appear to be injured, keep an eye on any changes to your health, paying particular attention to things like headaches and dizziness.
Some accident injury symptoms won’t appear until your rush of adrenaline has worn off, but they still require immediate attention.
Move To A Safe Space
If you aren’t critically injured and your car is still operational, move it off the highway or roadway, so you aren’t blocking traffic flow.
If a shoulder is available, pull off as far as you safely can.
If you’re close to an accessible parking area like a gas station or a store’s parking lot, it would be an ideal spot to keep the streets free from disabled vehicles and prevent further injury to yourself and others from passing cars.
For the sake of preserving evidence from the accident, try to take a few pictures of the vehicles as they are before you move them if it’s safe to do so.
Exchange Information With The Other Involved Parties
After the accident, you need to exchange information with the other driver once you’re in a safe spot.
Exchange contact information as well as insurance information.
This is especially important if you were injured, and you need to do it no matter who may be found at fault.
You need their insurance information, including the name of their insurance company and their policy number, to complete the insurance claims process.
You also need to get their name, address, and a contact phone number.
Exchanging information will also let you know if the other driver has an insurance policy.
If there are passengers in the other vehicle, ask for their contact information as well, should they need to provide statements at a later time.
Be sure to keep these exchanges professional and on-topic.
Gather Evidence From The Scene
Before you leave the accident scene, you need to gather as much information as possible as long as your injury isn’t too severe.
Start by taking pictures of the accident scene and any property damage done to both vehicles.
Make sure you get a picture of the accident scene from several different angles.
This will help recreate the accident to an extent, which will be helpful if you believe the other driver is the at-fault driver.
Do the same when you take pictures of the vehicle damage.
Your pictures need to clearly show the extent of the damage.
You should also take a picture of any visible injuries and snap a quick photo of the other driver’s license plate.
You should also take some notes about what happened and record your account of the accident while it is still fresh in your mind.
You will want an accurate account of the accident if you have to file an accident claim.
Having an accurate account of the wreck will help your insurance company and your personal injury attorney understand the context of the accident.
It will also help you stick to a solid explanation about the accident if you are asked to give an oral accident report.
If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, try to get their contact information.
Witness testimony is usually a crucial piece of evidence that can support your claim during legal action.
Receive Appropriate Medical Care
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Atlanta, you need to get your personal injuries treated by an accident doctor.
They will examine your injuries and develop a treatment plan so you can achieve a full recovery.
You can always visit your primary care physician after an accident, but they don’t always see accident victims.
If you have serious injuries, you should go to the Emergency Room right away or an urgent care Clinic.
If you only have minor injuries, or you don’t feel injured at all, a car accident chiropractor will be able to diagnose and treat your injuries or give you a clean bill of health.
It’s always important to see a doctor after motor vehicle accidents so you can preserve your health, but it will also document your injuries for a personal injury claim.
Your medical bills can be used as evidence when proving that the collision caused your injuries.
Once you obtain your medical records, you can release them to your accident attorney so you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses.
If you do go to the hospital after the accident, make sure you bill your health insurance provider.
Don’t send your medical bills to the insurance adjusters of the at-fault driver.
If you do, the at-fault driver’s insurance company can leverage power against you after the automobile accident.
Consult An Atlanta Auto Accident Attorney
If you’re an accident victim that has sustained an injury in Atlanta, you need to seek the legal advice of an experienced car accident attorney.
Accident lawyers specializing in auto accidents will make a massive difference in the outcome of an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Having adequate legal representation will ensure that you are compensated for your medical treatment and any property damage.
Your insurance company will have their best interests in mind and will try to get you to accept an offer that is less than what your case is worth.
Contacting the Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers at Mabra Law Firm will ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries after your car accident.
You are much more likely to have a favorable outcome in your accident injury claim.
Fill out the form below to schedule your Free Consultation with the Mabra Law Firm today.