Avoid Doing these Seven Things after a Car Accident in Georgia

Although certain procedures are recommended after experiencing a vehicle accident, it might be important to know what you should not do. Confused and excited, you're more likely to spill confidential information that has a direct bearing on your case. In addition, you should always take care not to admit an accident was completely or partly your Fault in any forum.

In a recent report, Georgia ranked as one of the most dangerous states in the U.S. by the number of fatal car accidents. Moreover, Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. It means that if a driver showed even a fraction of negligence (texting or eating while driving), the authorities would most likely consider that person to be at fault for the accident.

In Georgia, the best strategy to do is keep quiet. Don't even apologize to the other driver out of courtesy. You should know what to avoid saying and doing before you contact an Atlanta car crash lawyer. A specialized attorney will guide you through the legal maze, but a winnable case starts with you refraining from the actions we will describe below. After all, forensic evidence and police investigations will generally identify what went wrong, and your opinion won't serve any practical benefits except to throw doubt on the official verdict.

Experts say that revealing confidential information occurs regularly, and your opposition frequently uses that information to change the narrative of the accident. As a result, you could easily lose out on receiving any compensation for your injuries or property damage.

7 Things to Avoid Doing and Discussing After an Accident

What you don't do after an accident is almost as important as what you do. Keep calm, and don't reveal any information beyond basic facts. Avoid the following situations.

1. Not Reporting the Accident to Proper Authorities

According to the National Law Review, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to report the accident. You might be tempted to avoid the red tape, but getting any compensation for injuries and property damage depends on reporting the accident to the police. It's also a legal requirement, and not reporting an accident can even lead to jail sentences.

2. Leaving the Scene of an Accident

As a result of the above, you should never leave the accident scene except to move your car out of traffic. Leaving the scene is usually interpreted as an admission of guilt, and it can result in prison time and big fines. Even if the accident was demonstrably not your fault, you have a legal obligation to remain and exchange information with the other party and present your version of events to the police.

3. Failing to Seek Medical Attention

Hundreds of injuries don't produce immediate symptoms, including internal injuries and soft injuries to the neck, back, and shoulders. These can become dangerous to your health, so you should always seek medical confirmation that you haven't been injured. Seeing a doctor protects you from discovering hidden injuries later and ensures that you seek compensation from insurance or uninsured drivers.

4. Admitting Fault

Never admit fault after an accident. Your opinion might be wrong, but admitting even partial fault can come back to haunt you when filing a claim for injuries or initiating a lawsuit. Usually, forensic evidence tells the story of what happened, and your opinion is unnecessary. The temptation to admit some degree of Fault often becomes overwhelming when the other driver demonstrates clear guilt. You might mutter, "I should have been watching the road more carefully." Such an admission can easily result in your being charged with partial responsibility.

5. Not Gathering Evidence

No matter who is eventually judged at fault for the accident, gathering evidence is a necessary step. Take photos of road conditions, car damages, and any injuries sustained, but you only should do so if you're healthy enough. Getting medical attention for any injuries caused by an accident is the critical first step. Next, you should jot down any witnesses' names and contact details and confirm the other driver's insurance coverage with police assistance.

6. Failing to Report the Accident to the Insurance Company

Always report your accident to your insurance company, but you needn't do so among a crowd of bystanders. Wait until you have some privacy. Some drivers fail to report accidents for various reasons, but failure to report accidents almost always generates negative consequences. If you have no-fault insurance, you need to report accidents to qualify for compensation from PIP coverage.

7. Posting Pictures and Information on Social Media

Some people think they have to post juicy gossip about a vehicle accident on social media. But, unfortunately, the information that you share could generate unfavorable results like informing the other driver of your strategy or admitting a degree of Fault for the accident.

Hiring an Atlanta Lawyer

Contact an Atlanta car crash lawyer immediately after getting any essential medical treatment after your accident. Fault or no-fault, your priority should be specialized assistance from doctors and lawyers. If you need to file claims for injuries or property damages, deal with insurance, or, worse, face legal issues as an at-fault driver, you need to have the best legal representation in the city.