After a car accident, it is normal to feel shaken up and confused. Your accident might have left you with lingering injuries and an uncertain future. In the days, weeks, and months following the crash, you might find yourself wondering what to do next. Where can you turn for help?
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect after a car accident in Atlanta.
The Day of the Car Accident
Your first priority should be your safety in the immediate aftermath of the car accident. If you can, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. If you can not drive or safely move your vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.
The best thing you can do is call 911 after your crash. This will alert emergency medical teams and police to your accident.
If the police come to the scene, they will examine the accident and interview you, the other driver, and any eyewitnesses. It is crucial to be honest when talking to the police, but you should avoid giving too much detail or speculating about what might have happened.
Officers at the accident scene will then fill out a police report. This police report will include valuable information about how the accident occurred, the damage sustained, and who they believe is at fault.
Be sure to get a copy of the police report.
If you are not injured, get the contact information from the other driver, including their name, insurance information, and license plate number. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Even if you did not suffer an injury in the car accident or if your injuries seem minor, seek medical attention. It is essential to get checked out by a doctor. In some cases, injuries that seem insignificant at first can turn out to be more severe than they initially appeared. Documenting your injuries is critical when filing an injury claim.
The Days After the Car Accident
Once you have taken care of the accident’s immediate aftermath, it is time to start dealing with the practicalities. You will need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. Your insurance company will then open an investigation into the accident.
As part of this process, insurers may ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened. Do not give a recorded statement without first speaking to an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney. Insurance adjusters get trained to ask questions that will help them reduce their liabilities. Your attorney can help you avoid making any critical mistakes when talking to the insurance company.
The insurance company will also likely send an adjuster to inspect the damage to your vehicle. Once the insurance company has all the information it needs, it will decide about who is at fault for the accident and how much money will be paid out under the policy.
The Weeks After the Car Accident
You might struggle to recover from injuries or return to work in the weeks following a car accident. This is common but difficult for many accident victims. During these weeks, it is essential to take the following steps to protect your rights to compensation and rebuild your life.
- Avoid posting about your accident on social media.
- Do not miss any doctor appointments or rehabilitation sessions
- Fill all medications
- Keep a pain journal and document your recovery
- Attend all follow-ups or specialist appointments
- Do not get your car repaired too quickly
- Do not go to work unless your physician fully clears you
- Keep all receipts and bills
It is important to remember that insurance company adjusters will look for any reason to deny or reduce your claim. Missed doctor’s appointments and unfilled pain medications send them a strong signal that you are not as injured as you claim.
The best way you can protect your rights to full and complete compensation is to contact an experienced and skilled Atlanta car crash attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers
If you got into a car accident in Atlanta, we can help you pursue justice. Our law firm offers FREE initial consultations and reviews, so you can get the answers you need – when you need them. Call 404-587-8946 or fill out our confidential contact form. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case! Just call and JUST WIN.
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