Being involved in a car accident raises a lot of questions: Who will pay for damage to my car? How long will my injuries take to heal? Will I be able to return to work, and if not, how will I pay for my costs of living?
All of these questions can be very stressful, and if you were not at fault for the car accidents, the stress can be compounded by worries about dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. Luckily, working with a car accident attorney and adhering to the following advice about what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault can be a boon to your case.
1. Get the Other Driver’s Information
If you are in a car accident that is not your fault, something very important to do is to get the other driver’s information as soon as possible (preferably while you are waiting for law enforcement to arrive). This is because per Georgia’s at-fault laws, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will act as the party responsible for processing your claim and paying for your damages.
2. Collect Evidence
Another thing that you should do while you are waiting for the police to arrive is to start collecting evidence that provides insight regarding a) how your crash occurred and b) the extent of your damages. This might include talking to witnesses (and getting their names and contact information), taking photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, etc., and even photographing or journaling your own injuries.
3. Seek Medical Care/File Your Claim
After you leave the scene of an accident, there are two things that you should do immediately: seek medical care, and notify the insurance company of the incident. The first insurance company that you should call is your own; ask your insurance company if they will handle contacting the insurance company of the other driver on your behalf. If not, be sure to call the at-fault driver’s insurance company to report your accident and initiate the claims process as soon as possible.
Even if you don’t think you are injured, seek medical care. Be sure to keep a record of all care received.
4. Contact an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Attorney
Even if you take all of the right steps after a car accident, whether it was your fault or not, an insurance company may try to deny you the damages to which you’re entitled. They may do this by disputing fault, denying the extent of your injuries, saying that there is a policy or filing error, claiming that you failed to file your claim in time, and more.
Regardless of the excuse, if your claim is denied or you are offered a settlement that you feel is less than you deserve, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney in Georgia. Your attorney will know how to negotiate with the insurance adjuster, present any evidence to bolster your claim, and ultimately improve your chances of getting the compensation award you deserve.
The foregoing answer is not legal advice and is merely a general overview. You are advised to consult a lawyer to address your specific situation. Feel free to send comments or questions to: steve@aa-legal.com of Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, or call (404) 377-9191.
