- Car Accidents
Steps to Take When Injured in a Car Accident in Georgia
Getting injured in a car accident is overwhelming, but your response in the first hours and days can affect your health, your insurance claim, and your ability to recover costs. Knowing the exact steps to take when injured in a car accident helps you stay in control and avoid costly mistakes.
In this blog, you’ll learn the four essential steps to take when injured in a car accident, including how our Atlanta car accident injury clinic at Hurt 911® can support your recovery with fast, reliable medical care.
Step 1: Get to Safety and Call Emergency Services
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, your first priority should be safety. Quick, clear actions protect your well-being and establish the groundwork for your insurance claim and medical care.
Move to a Safe Location if Possible
If the vehicles involved are drivable and there is no immediate danger, move to the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Staying in the road can cause further injuries or lead to a major collision. If moving the vehicle is not possible, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until emergency personnel arrive.
Call 911 and Request Help
Always report the accident, even if it seems minor. Call 911 and provide accurate information about the accident location, the number of people injured, and any immediate hazards. Request both police officers and emergency medical services. If someone is injured in a car accident, emergency responders must assess the situation on site.
Comply with Georgia Law
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273), drivers must report any auto accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. Failing to report can affect the claims process and limit your ability to seek compensation. When police arrive, do not admit fault. Stick to clear facts about what occurred.
Start Creating a Record
The police report becomes a key part of any insurance claim. Ask for the police report number before leaving the scene. This document supports your case with insurance companies and helps verify the accident date, parties involved, and the initial assessment of vehicle damage.
Step 2: Exchange Information and Document the Scene
After calling for emergency help, your next task is to gather accurate information and record what happened. This step supports your insurance claim and helps prove who was responsible for the accident.
Collect Key Information from All Drivers
Speak calmly with the other driver. Exchange your driver’s license number, insurance information, phone number, and vehicle registration. Write down the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved. If there are passengers or witnesses, ask for their names and contact details as well. This helps identify all parties involved in the accident.
Take Clear Photos of the Accident Scene
Use your phone to take pictures of vehicle damage, traffic signs, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Photograph all vehicles from different angles. Be sure to capture the layout of the accident scene and anything that may have contributed to the crash. This visual evidence can be critical when dealing with insurance companies or filing a personal injury claim.
Do Not Admit Fault
Stay factual. Do not say anything that could be taken as admitting fault, even if you feel responsible. Let the police officers and insurance adjusters determine who caused the accident based on reports and evidence. Admitting fault at the scene can hurt your insurance claim or your ability to seek compensation later.
Request the Police Report Number
Before you leave, ask the responding officers for the police report number. This report will include the accident date, statements from drivers, and an initial assessment of the accident scene. Your insurance company will ask for this during the claims process.
Step 2: Exchange Information and Document the Scene
Once the scene is secure and emergency services are on the way or have arrived, begin gathering the details you will need for your insurance claim and any future medical or repair expenses.
Exchange Contact and Insurance Details
Speak with the other driver calmly. Collect their driver’s license number, insurance company name, insurance policy number, vehicle registration, and phone number. Record the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved. If there are passengers or witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. This information is necessary for identifying all parties involved in the car accident and supporting your insurance claim.
Take Photos and Video of the Accident Scene
Use your phone to capture clear photos of the vehicles involved, any property damage, traffic signs, skid marks, and weather conditions. Take close-ups of vehicle damage and wide shots of the entire accident scene. Document your injuries if they are visible. This visual evidence can help prove the cause of the auto accident and support your case with insurance providers or medical professionals.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Do not guess or speculate about what caused the accident. Do not say anything that could sound like admitting fault. Stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver and the police officers. Fault will be determined later based on the police report, witness statements, and evidence from the accident scene.
Get the Police Report Number
Before leaving the scene, ask the officers for the police report number. This report is often required when filing insurance claims and may help establish who caused the accident. It includes details such as the accident date, vehicles involved, driver statements, and any citations issued.
Step 3: Get Medical Attention Immediately
After leaving the accident scene, your next priority is to seek medical attention. This protects your health and creates a medical record that supports any future insurance claim.
Do Not Delay Treatment
Some injuries from a car accident are not immediately apparent. Pain from whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries can appear hours or even days later. Waiting to get care may lead to complications and can weaken your personal injury claim. Insurance companies may argue that delayed treatment means the injury was not serious.
Visit an Injury Clinic After the Accident
Go to a qualified medical professional as soon as possible. Hurt 911® provides treatment at our Atlanta car accident injury clinic for accident victims. Our medical team can evaluate your condition, order imaging if needed, and begin necessary medical treatment. Visiting a clinic also helps document your injuries clearly and promptly.
Keep Medical Records and Reports
Ask for copies of all medical records, treatment plans, and bills. These documents are important for filing insurance claims and proving the link between the accident and your injuries. Keep everything organized, including notes from follow-up visits and referrals to specialists.
Watch for New or Worsening Symptoms
Report any new pain or symptoms to your doctor immediately. Some conditions may take time to appear. Keeping a daily log of how you feel can also help support your claim and guide your medical treatment plan.
Step 4: Report the Accident and File Your Insurance Claim
After getting medical care, report the accident to your insurance company and begin the claims process as soon as possible. Acting quickly helps avoid delays and protects your right to compensation.
Notify Your Insurance Provider Promptly
Call your insurance company and report the car accident. Provide basic facts such as the accident date, location, names of the parties involved, and a summary of what happened. Share the police report number if you have it. Stick to the facts and avoid offering opinions or accepting blame. Insurance companies use your initial report as part of their investigation.
Submit All Required Documentation
Your insurance provider will request supporting documents. Be ready to share the police report, photos from the accident scene, medical records, and repair estimates. Include medical bills, emergency service charges, and receipts for expenses such as a rental car. Accurate records help prove the value of your claim and speed up the process.
Watch What You Say to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters may contact you to ask questions or request statements. Be careful with your words. Do not admit fault, guess about your injuries, or downplay your condition. Their goal is to minimize what the insurance company pays. Direct all questions about medical treatment to your doctor and keep communication clear and limited.
Track All Accident-Related Expenses
Keep a file of all costs related to the auto accident. This includes vehicle repairs, medical expenses, follow-up care, prescriptions, and lost wages if you miss work. Organizing this information will help you seek full compensation for your injuries and related costs.
Injured in a Car Accident? Consult With Hurt 911® ASAP!
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. Our team at Hurt 911® is here to guide you through the recovery process with professional medical care, detailed injury documentation, and support that puts your health first. At our Atlanta car accident injury clinic, we treat accident-related injuries quickly and thoroughly, so you can focus on healing while we help you stay organized for your insurance claim.
Contact us at 404-687-9000 for a free consultation today!
