It can be very difficult to remain calm and collected after a car accident. Still, victims must remember to report their car accident injuries to the appropriate parties.
In Georgia, you must report your car accident injury to the police immediately. 911 should be called right away after any harmful crash. If no law enforcement officer visited the scene of your accident, then you should file your own written report with the police station that has jurisdiction where your crash occurred. Additionally, there are other reports you should submit after suffering a car accident injury. You must report your injuries to a physician as soon as possible. Next, you should also notify your insurance company. Lastly, you should file a car accident lawsuit with the help of a Hattiesburg car accident lawyer seeking monetary damages for your injuries.
If you were hurt because of a car accident in Georgia, get help reporting your injuries and pursuing compensation. Contact our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
When to Report Your Car Accident Injury to the Police in Georgia
You should call 911 and report your car accident injury to the police immediately after suffering a crash in Georgia. Under Ga. Code § 40-6-273, motorists must call the police right away after any accidents that lead to the following:
- Injury
- Death
- Property damage that exceeds $500
A driver who flees the scene of an injurious accident can be charged with a hit and run. Furthermore, by calling 911, a dispatcher may send an ambulance for anyone who requires immediate medical attention.
Also, after reporting your injury to the police, an officer will visit the scene to draft an accident report. An official accident report may contain the following information:
- Statements from drivers involved in the crash
- Statements from witnesses regarding how the events before, during, and after your accident unfolded
- A drawn diagram of your crash
- Information regarding the vehicles involved in the accident
- An officer’s notes regarding how or why a crash happened
The facts and opinions offered in an officer’s report can be crucial to our Atlanta car accident lawyers when proving that another driver was at fault for your crash. Establishing fault is a necessary step towards receiving compensation. Accordingly, it is important that a police report is filed in your case. If an officer did not visit the scene of your crash, there may be another way to submit an accident report.
What to Do if a Police Officer Did Not Visit the Scene of Your Accident in Georgia
If you suffered a car accident injury and a police officer did not visit the scene of your crash, you must submit your own written report to the police station that has jurisdiction where your accident occurred. You should file your written report as soon as possible after your accident.
When submitting your own written report, you must provide a great deal of information regarding the circumstances of your crash. Also, you will likely have to make statements suggesting how or why your accident occurred. The assistance of our experienced Macon, GA car accident lawyers can be very helpful when ensuring you have included the necessary details in your report.
Furthermore, when filling out your report, it is important not to make apologetic statements such as “I’m sorry.” It can feel natural to apologize for an accident, even if it was not your fault. However, apologetic statements can be construed as admissions of fault. You can contact our Marietta car accident lawyers for guidance and support when submitting your own accident report.
When to Report Your Car Accident Injuries to a Doctor in Georgia
You should also report your car accident injuries to a doctor as soon as possible in Georgia. Proper documentation of your injuries is necessary in order to recover damages in a car accident lawsuit. Typically, car accident injuries are proven through medical records and reports. Furthermore, defendants and their insurance companies may use a delay in treatment to suggest that you were not badly injured. Our Gulfport car accident lawyers can help refer the right physicians to treat your injuries.
When to Report Your Car Accident Injury to Your Insurance Company in Georgia
Furthermore, you should report your car accident injury to your insurance company as soon as possible. Typically, car accident victims in Georgia will seek compensation from the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. However, even when you were not responsible for the crash, you should notify your insurer of your car accident injuries right away. Most insurance companies require their policyholders to report any car accident injuries. Failure to report your injuries can cause your insurance rates to rise.
When reporting your injury to your insurer, they will likely ask you to provide a statement regarding how the crash occurred. Again, it is important not to make any apologetic statements or other statements that can be construed as admissions of fault. Even statements made to your own insurer can be used against you at trial. Our Jackson car accident lawyers can help when reporting your car accident injury to your insurance company.
When to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia
Under Ga. Code § 9-3-33, victims typically have two years from the date of their crash to file a car accident lawsuit. Noncompliance with this deadline could cause injured parties to miss out on important compensation.
Additionally, a separate time limit has been established for car accident lawsuits pursuing compensation for property damage. According to Ga. Code § 9-3-31, potential plaintiffs have four years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit seeking repayment for property damage they incurred.
There are numerous additional requirements you must comply with when filing a car accident lawsuit in Georgia. Our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers can help you file your case on time and ensure that you satisfy the necessary requirements for filing a claim.
If You Suffered a Car Accident Injury in Georgia, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident, seek assistance from our experienced Macon car accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
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