What To Do After A Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Being involved in a car accident can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, even if it wasn’t your fault. Knowing what steps to take immediately following the accident can help ensure that you are taken care of and that all of your rights are respected.
If you were involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, our Gwinnett County personal injury lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers can help. We represent car accident victims throughout Georgia and help them obtain the compensation they deserve.
Things to Do After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Read on for advice on how to handle the aftermath of an auto accident that wasn’t your fault.
Check for Injuries and Stay Safe
The first step is always safety. Make sure everyone inside the vehicles involved in the accident is uninjured. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 right away. If possible, move the vehicles out of traffic so they don’t obstruct other drivers or create additional hazards.
Call the Police
It’s important to contact local law enforcement as soon as possible after an accident that wasn’t your fault. The police will document details from both parties, including names and contact information, insurance policies and driver license numbers, the vehicle makes and models, and a description of the events leading up to the crash.
This information will come in handy when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action against the at-fault driver. It’s also important to get a copy of the police report when it is available; this document will be essential should you decide to hire an attorney later on.
Note: In Georgia, motorists are legally required to report car accidents resulting in injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $500 (Georgia Code § 40-6-273).
Gather Information at the Scene
In addition to calling police officers to file an official report, you should also collect evidence from the scene yourself if possible. Take pictures of any visible property damage, skid marks on the roadways, or other relevant information that may be useful later on in court or during settlement negotiations with insurers. Also, write down statements from witnesses who saw what happened; their accounts may provide critical information in determining who was at fault for causing the crash.
Be Careful When Providing Statements to Insurance Companies
When talking with representatives from either your own insurance company or from that of another driver involved in the crash, it is important to be honest but also mindful not to incriminate yourself or speak too freely about what happened leading up to or during the incident itself.
Remember that anything you say can potentially be used against you later on. Always consult with an experienced attorney before providing any statement or signing paperwork related to insurance claims resulting from a car crash that was not your fault.
Consider Hiring a Lawyer
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence while driving, it might be worth considering hiring an attorney who specializes in auto accident cases rather than attempting to settle directly with insurers alone, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. An experienced lawyer can help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for any losses incurred due to the other party’s negligent conduct.
Get Legal Help from Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers
No one ever plans on getting into a car accident—especially one caused by someone else’s negligence—but unfortunately these things happen to anyone. If you were involved in an automobile accident that wasn’t your fault, our lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers can help you understand your compensation options. We represent accident victims throughout Georgia, including Gwinnett County, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Fulton County, and Cobb County. Call 770-685-6400 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
