Things to Remember in a Car Accident

Things to Remember in a Car Accident

If you’ve ever been in a car or truck accident, you know there are a few things you can’t forget—the sound of metal ripping, the feel of impact, and the lengthy process of dealing with an insurance company. If you have never been in an accident, the sad truth is that sooner or later you will. Statistics show that a person is injured or killed in an accident involving a heavy truck every 16 minutes. That’s just trucks, not counting motorcycles, cars or any other type of vehicle. So, it is better to be prepared for the eventuality as it will happen to all of us at some point.

The following is a checklist of things to do when you have been in an accident:

1. Seek medical help as soon as possible for yourself and anyone else in your car

2. Use a cell phone or if you have not been injured, walk to the nearest house to call the police.

3. Do not attempt to run your car off the road or disrupt the scene in any way. This can sometimes make the police think that you are trying to hide some detail.

4. Start collecting the evidence you’ll need later to get a settlement with the insurance company or another driver. This includes taking pictures of the scene, taking names of eyewitnesses for later statements, and anything else you can think of.

5. Do not talk to the other driver or any representative of your insurance. They are not here to help you. Do not make statements that could be interpreted as an admission of responsibility. Do not enter into any contract or deal.

6. Contact an Atlanta personal injury attorney. Make sure they specialize as Atlanta car accident attorneys or Atlanta truck accident attorneys depending on your case.

The last step is a must unless you are well versed in the intricacies of insurance company operating procedures. Many Atlanta personal injury attorneys have experience as judges, worked for years in the field, or represented insurance companies in the past. That kind of inside knowledge is essential if you want to be treated fairly and get what you deserve.

When selecting your attorney, don’t be unnecessarily discouraged by money issues. Most personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means your payout is a certain percentage of the prize they win for you. If they don’t win your case, then they don’t get paid. However, be careful because some fees associated with your case are not counted as attorney fees and you will still be responsible for payment.