First things first, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident take precautionary safety measures by putting on your hazard lights. If you are able to, move to the side of the road or a sidewalk. Otherwise, leave it where it is and get yourself and others to safety.
Once it is safe and you are able to do so, make sure you and any passengers in your vehicle are not seriously injured. Confirm with the other driver(s) that the occupants in the vehicle(s) are not seriously injured either. If anyone is hurt, call 911 for emergency services or ask someone else to call.
ALWAYS call the police to make a report. This becomes important to properly document the incident and gather all the information needed in order to make a claim with the insurance company.
ALWAYS be sure to note the responding police department jurisdiction and the officer’s name so that you are able to obtain a report later on. It is also a good idea to personally exchange information such as contact information, license plate numbers, make/model of vehicle, and insurance policy numbers of all the involved vehicles. If there are any witnesses, gather their contact information as well.
ALWAYS take pictures of all the vehicles involved even if the damage is minor. You may also want to consider taking a video at the scene of the accident as this can be helpful to document road conditions, weather, and traffic control devices (i.e. stop signs or lights).
If you are injured, call a trusted attorney who will guide you through the process and help you recover what you deserve. At Georgia Legal Counsel, we pursue all available avenues for compensation and ensure that you get the medical care you truly need. Don’t’ fight the insurance companies alone, have Georgia Legal Counsel by your side!
