Do you know there’s an average of one car accident every four hours in Atlanta, Georgia? For instance, in 2020 when the country was under a lockdown, a total of 21,478 car accidents were recorded in Atlanta.
Maybe you’re wondering, are these accidents fatal? Oh yes, they are. For instance, out of 34,446 accidents reported in 2019, 144 fatalities were recorded. That’s a high number for a city housing less than 500,000 people.
Unfortunately, you can also get involved in an auto accident. Knowing what to do beforehand can mean the difference between life and death. It can also help you protect the legal right to compensation.
Here is a checklist of what you need to do after an auto accident.
- Ensure Safety of All Drivers and Passengers
It’s the first thing you should do after an accident. Ensure that every person involved in the accident is okay.
If there are serious injuries, call 911 and request them to dispatch medical teams and ambulances to the scene. If possible, don’t move a person who has neck or back pain until the medical team arrives. Only move them when a hazard requires you to do so.
- Stay at The Scene
Yes, you’re in a hurry to get to your destination. But never leave the accident scene until you’re cleared by the relevant authorities to do so.
But why?
If someone sustains injuries or dies, you’ll be held criminally liable for being a hit-and-run driver.
- Contact Your Lawyer
Once you’re sure that everyone is safe, contact your Atlanta car accident attorney. Give a detailed analysis of what happened before the accident.
The lawyer will guide you on how to make the statement from the police. The lawyer will also get to the accident scene and gather the necessary evidence or get reports from various eyewitnesses.
The information will play a vital role should the case proceed to court.
- Call the Police
If you get into an accident, call the police. The other party may persuade you not to, but don’t fall for it.
Use emergency contacts like 911 for serious and fatal accidents. If the accident isn’t fatal or there are no injuries, use the normal police hotline numbers.
Explain to the police officer clearly and in-depth what transpired before the accident. If you’re not sure about anything, say you’re not sure.
- Contact the Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company immediately an accident happens. It works to your advantage whether you’re at fault or not. For instance, the other driver may be uninsured and thus your insurance company will have to pay for repairs.
If the at-fault party’s insurer doesn’t contact you within a reasonable time, call them and inform them you had an accident with one of their clients. Be economical with your words and only share the basic information. Don’t give a recorded statement without the guidance of your car accident attorney. In most cases, the statement comes to haunt you.
- Seek Medical Attention
Make an appointment with your doctor after the accident for diagnosis and treatment. Some injuries especially on your neck and brain will not show immediately after the crash. Earlier diagnosis is key in treating these injuries.
Conclusion
A car accident can result in severe injuries to you or your loved ones. Dealing with the repercussions of this can be a long and difficult process. It is even worse if the injuries prevent you from working. However, follow these steps, and getting quality legal advice will get you on a road to recovery.
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