If you have been in a car accident in Georgia, it is important that you do not do anything that can harm your potential compensation claim. If you make a mistake and do something that makes your situation worse, you can end up obtaining less compensation than you deserve or can be responsible for paying for someone else’s negligence. Let a Duluth car accident lawyer from Barrios Virguez help you navigate the complex claims process following your car accident.
Do Not Make a Mistake After a Georgia Car Accident
Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning individuals liable for motor vehicle accidents are responsible for compensating victims for their injuries and other losses. As such, to protect your rights and any potential claim for compensation you may have after getting in a car accident, it is important to understand what you should not do. Following are twelve things you should never do after a motor vehicle accident in Georgia.
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1. Do Not Leave the Scene
Georgia law requires anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident in which there are injuries or property damage to immediately stop at the scene of the collision. Knowingly leaving an accident scene can result in misdemeanor or felony charges that can be punishable by a fine or imprisonment. If necessary, pull off to the side of the road and out of traffic, but do not leave.
2. Do Not Forget to Call the Police
Even if no one was hurt in the accident, it is important to call law enforcement. They will complete an accident report, which will serve as important evidence to establish liability. The details law enforcement includes in their report and their investigation will be essential information in your personal injury claim.
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3. Do Not Panic
After a car accident, you may be in pain or in shock, but it is important that you do not lose your cool even if another person’s negligence caused the collision. The only thing you should ask the other party is if they are okay. Stay calm, and do not blame them or yell at them, as this will only hurt your claim.
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4. Do Not Admit Fault
Never admit guilt or apologize after a car accident. This will be perceived as an admission of liability for the injuries and other damage caused by the accident. Such an admission will remove your chances of obtaining compensation for your losses and may even result in you having to pay for someone else’s damages.
5. Do Not Forget to Exchange Information
As previously mentioned, you may be in shock after a car accident. However, you must remember to exchange necessary information with the other parties involved. Exchange contact details, vehicle information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information, as this data will be important in making a claim for compensation.
6. Do Not Forget to Document the Accident Scene
It is important to document the accident scene as close to the time of the wreck as possible. If you are able, take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, and any skid marks or other unique identifiers of the collision location. These details will help demonstrate what caused the accident and who may be liable for your injuries and property damage.
7. Do Not Skip Medical Treatment
It is important that you seek immediate medical attention even if you do not think you are injured. Some injuries are not visible, and others do not have immediate symptoms. This does not mean that you are not hurt, however, and documentation of your injuries and treatment is important evidence in a personal injury claim.
8. Do Not Forget to Notify Your Insurance Company
To protect yourself after an accident, you should promptly notify your insurance company of the collision. Do not give them too many details. Rather, simply tell them when and where the accident occurred, and give them the information for the other parties involved.
9. Do Not Give Too Much Information to the Insurance Adjuster
The goal of the insurance company is to save money and pay out as little compensation as possible. As such, do not agree to give a recorded statement, and do not describe your injuries or speculate about how the accident happened. Also, never accept the adjuster’s first settlement offer.
10. Do Not Post on Social Media
After a car accident, anything you say or post online can be used against you and can hurt your personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters will use your online photos to claim that you are not really injured or that your injuries are not as serious as you say. It is best to not discuss your accident on social media at all.
11. Do Not Miss Your Time to File a Claim
Under Georgia law, you have two years after the date of your car accident to file a personal injury claim for damages. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss the statute of limitations, you will be barred from making a claim for compensation, so it is important to reach out to a Duluth car accident attorney as soon as possible to begin your claim.
12. Do Not Assume You Can Handle Your Claim on Your Own
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can quickly become complex and complicated, especially if you are injured and entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident attorney in Duluth understands how to navigate the legal claims process in Georgia and ensure all deadlines are met. We can also negotiate with the insurance adjuster to get you maximum compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.
Do not wait to contact a Duluth car accident attorney at Barrios Virguez for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you get the compensation you deserve after your Georgia car accident. We want to ensure you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company and that your legal rights are protected. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you.
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