What to Do After a Car Wreck in Georgia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Car accidents happen in mere seconds, but the effects of those accidents can drag on for weeks, months, or even years (in the absolute worst cases). What you do immediately after an accident can have an impact on the after-effects. You probably haven’t thought much about it, especially if you’re a safe driver who practices defensive driving.
This guide is a car accident checklist for Georgia and will walk you through exactly what to do after a car wreck. The idea is to stay safe and make sure everyone gets home after the initial accident, and then follow up with your car insurance company.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Wreck in Georgia
First things first on the list of Georgia car accident steps. You need to check everyone’s health and safety. Here’s what to do right after an accident as the first (and arguably most important) part of the car wreck guide for Georgia.
Ensure Everyone’s Safety: Move to a Safe Location
First, take a moment to assess your surroundings. This is one of the most important steps after a car accident in Georgia. If anyone is injured or might be injured, call 911 right away. Your safety is the top priority. If your vehicle is drivable and it’s safe to do so, move it out of the flow of traffic. Georgia’s “Steer It, Clear It” law requires you to move operable vehicles after a crash to help prevent further accidents.
Check for Injuries: Call 911 If Necessary
Even if injuries aren’t obvious, calling emergency services ensures that anyone who needs medical attention receives it quickly. Having a police officer at the scene also creates an official report. You’ll find later that an official police report is a key document for your insurance claim.
Stay Calm and Avoid Apologizing: Protect Your Legal Rights
It’s natural to want to apologize, but in an accident, those words can be interpreted as admitting fault. Stick to factual statements about what happened. Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system, meaning if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you can’t collect damages. Be sure to keep an eye on other factors that make you liable for a car accident in Georgia.
How to Gather Important Information After a Car Wreck in Georgia
There’s a bit of an art to getting the information you need after a car wreck. Ideally, you need to exchange insurance information with the other parties to the accident, as well as get an honest accounting of photos, damages, witnesses, and license plates. All of these things matter when it comes to filing a car wreck insurance claim in Georgia.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver(s)
Georgia law requires that you share:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle registration and license plate number
- Insurance company and policy number
If you hit an unattended vehicle, leave your contact information in a visible location.
Collect Witness Statements and Contact Information
Ask witnesses for their names and contact details. Their accounts can help clarify what happened if fault is disputed. Make sure to get at least a phone number and a name to help with the steps afterward.
Take Photos of the Scene, Damages, and License Plates
If you can do so safely, take photos before moving the vehicles. You’re going to want to document the following types of things:
- Overall scene, including road signs, traffic lights, and skid marks
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- Close-ups of damage and any visible injuries
- License plates and insurance cards
How to Report a Car Wreck in Georgia
The key party you’re going to want to report the wreck to is the police, as well as other authorities, as needed. All of this can be done with a 911 call if the situation is particularly unsafe. Georgia accident reporting steps are also enshrined in law — as you saw previously.
When to Call the Police and File a Report
Under Georgia law, you must report any accident that involves injury or death or property damage of $500 or more. This is especially important for navigating claims after a hit-and-run.
Understanding the Georgia Accident Reporting Requirements
When law enforcement responds, they’ll file a Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report. You can request a copy from the agency. And it’s important to keep this for your insurance claim.
What to Do If the Police Don’t Come to the Scene
If officers are unable to respond, you can complete a Georgia SR-13 Personal Report of Accident for your records. While it’s not filed with the state, it provides a detailed record for your insurance claim.
How to Handle Insurance Claims After a Car Wreck in Georgia
In the aftermath, you’ll need to get your insurance company up to speed. The keys here are speed, detail, and understanding the law. Here’s how to do things as efficiently as possible.
Contact Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible
If the accident is your fault, notify your insurer promptly. Provide the date, time, location, and a basic description of the incident, along with the police report number. If the accident is another driver’s fault, contact their insurance as soon as possible to get your vehicle repaired and secure a rental car to use in the meantime. If you are injured, you’ll need to use your own health insurance for immediate needs and look to the other drivers’ insurance to reimburse you or your health insurance plan.
Understand Georgia’s Fault Laws and How They Affect Your Claim
Georgia is an at-fault state. The at-fault driver’s insurance covers damages, but if you share some responsibility, your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance or if the at-fault driver leaves the scene.
The Importance of Keeping Track of Medical Expenses and Damages
Organized records make everything smoother. And it’s also especially important to support your case if disputes arise. Keep track of the following items, especially as the case progresses further:
- Medical bills and prescriptions
- Repair estimates and invoices
- Lost wage documentation
- Receipts for transportation or other accident-related costs
You may want to consider keeping these records in a dedicated cloud storage program.
Legal Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Georgia
Not every accident is a clean and simple situation. In fact, most aren’t. But when is the right time to call a lawyer? Here are some steps to consider.
When to Contact an Attorney for Legal Advice
Consider speaking with a Georgia personal injury attorney if the injuries are particularly serious (either to yourself or the other parties involved in the accident), if fault is very unclear or disputed by either side, and if a commercial or government vehicle was involved. Any one of those situations can require some legal professionalism — and that early advice can potentially help you to avoid mistakes when filing your claim.
Understanding Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
The long and the short of Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for car accidents is this: You have two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim, and four years to file a property damage claim. There may be exceptions, and that’s why you’ll also want to consider a lawyer if needed. For example, the involvement of a government vehicle may speed up the timeline.
How Velox Insurance Makes Filing a Car Wreck Claim Easy
A car accident is stressful enough, but the claims process shouldn’t add to it. When you work with Velox, you get the help you need to get your claim filed promptly through experts who know the car wreck legal requirements in Georgia. We’re a part of the Peach State community, and we’re here to help. If you’re ready to get started with your own customized auto policy, give us a call at (855) 468-3569, request a quote online, or visit us in person at one of our many offices around the state.
FAQs
Do I Always Need to Call the Police After a Car Accident in Georgia?
Yes, if there are injuries, fatalities, or property damage of $500 or more. For smaller accidents, it’s still often beneficial.
What Are Georgia’s Fault Laws, and How Do They Affect My Insurance Claim?
Georgia is an at-fault state. If you’re partially at fault, your payout is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover damages.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Georgia?
Two years for injuries and four years for property damage. Deadlines may be shorter if a government vehicle is involved. Be sure to follow this step-by-step guide for filing a car insurance claim.
Can I Switch My Insurance Policy After an Accident?
Yes. You can change policies after an accident, but existing claims stay with the insurer you had on the date of the incident. Talk to an agent if you need more info about this type of situation.
