Essential Steps For Maximizing Compensation in a Car Accident Claim
There’s no getting around it, Atlanta has some great neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the sprawling city also has some dangers. Atlanta ranks 22nd as the deadliest city in the US, and this stat includes fatalities in traffic accidents.
If you’re involved in a car accident in Georgia are you ready to navigate the legal process? The steps you take after an accident can affect your compensation and you don’t want to do anything that may reduce the overall value of your injury claim.
Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Law
Before diving into the steps you should take immediately after an accident, it helps to have a general understanding of Georgia’s insurance laws. Georgia is an at-fault insurance state. When you’re involved in an accident, you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
Your insurance provider typically stays out of the claim. This is good news for your monthly premiums. Your rates should stay the same since you’re not filing a monetary claim against your policy. In other words, your auto insurance carrier isn’t paying a dime to cover your damages.
Along with following at-fault insurance rules, Georgia is also a comparative negligence state. This is when more than your monthly insurance rates can be affected. Your compensation amount can also be impacted by comparative negligence rules. This insurance rule allows for more than one involved party to be responsible for causing the same accident.
If you’re assigned fault, your compensation amount is reduced by your percentage of blame. As long as you’re not assigned more than 50% of the blame, there shouldn’t be a reason why you can’t still pursue compensation.
Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident
You’re probably going to feel a little dazed and even confused immediately after being involved in a car accident. This is pretty understandable, it’s not like you planned to be in a vehicle collision.
Take some time to settle down and get your bearings. Take a few deep breaths and check yourself over for any injuries. Are there passengers in your vehicle? Make sure they’re okay.
Immediately Call 911
Georgia law is pretty clear. All vehicle accidents with injuries, fatalities, and/or property damage exceeding $500 must be immediately reported to the authorities. This isn’t a suggestion, it’s state law.
Failing to report a collision or leaving the scene of the accident can result in a hit-and-run charge. This is something you want to avoid. The ticket is expensive and you may even be facing jail time. Besides, receiving a hit-and-run ticket can make it harder to recover compensation for your damages.
Carefully Exit Your Vehicle
Don’t just explode out of your vehicle after a traffic accident. You’re running the risk of being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Take a minute to assess your surroundings. If your vehicle’s sitting in the middle of a traffic lane, try to move it to the shoulder. The last thing you want to do is be the reason another accident occurs.
If your vehicle is undrivable, stay inside until the authorities arrive. If it’s safe to exit your vehicle, put up warning flashes. Most vehicles come with roadside assistance kits that usually have a couple of reflective triangles. At the very least, turn on your vehicle’s flashers so other drivers know to get out of the way.
Document the Accident Scene
If your injuries are severe, let the authorities handle gathering evidence and documenting the scene. Your personal injury lawyer should also have resources that can gather evidence to help support your injury claim.
However, if your injuries aren’t forcing you to hop into an ambulance, grab your smartphone. Use the camera to take some pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle. Try to get some shots of your vehicle’s position. This can help prove negligence and prevent you from being unfairly assigned a percentage of the blame.
Do you have any minor, visible injuries? Get a few pictures to add to your medical records. Look around for any surveillance cameras. Albuquerque has traffic cameras up at most major intersections so your accident may be caught on video. Even if there isn’t a traffic camera in the area, businesses may still have surveillance systems. Your accident attorney can subpoena the footage.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’re not carted away from the accident scene in an ambulance, your injuries probably aren’t severe. This doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t seek immediate medical attention. Some injuries like soft tissue ones can take several days before signs and symptoms start appearing.
Along with being proactive about your health, you’re also taking steps to prove your accident claim. If you’re claiming medical expenses, you’re going to need to submit proof of injuries. This means you need your medical records.
Contact the Insurance Company
As soon as you’re able, go ahead and contact the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This is who you’re going to file a claim with. Let them know you suffered damages in the accident and are planning on filing an injury claim. This quick phone call can help get the ball rolling on your accident claim.
What you don’t want to do is start answering any questions about the accident. This isn’t the time. Wait to have this discussion when you’re ready to file your claim. You also don’t want to let the insurance adjuster record your initial conversation. This is just a courtesy call.
Remember how we mentioned comparative negligence rules? The insurance adjuster is often responsible for assigning fault. You don’t want the insurance adjuster to use anything you say to try and reduce the value of your injury claim.
Ensuring You Receive Compensation for Your Vehicle Accident
Going through the claim process after a car accident can be challenging. You have steps to follow, phone calls to make, and damages to calculate. This is even before you file your claim.
Working with an experienced Atlanta accident attorney can help simplify the legal process while also ensuring you can receive compensation for your damages.
For more information on safeguarding your assets, head over to GatorRated.com.
