If you have never been in a car crash, you won’t know how stressful and difficult it can be. If you are in a car crash with injuries, the experience can be very traumatic.
Often people who have been hurt in crashes don’t know what to do. They may make mistakes like admitting blame or failing to get medical attention when they are hurt. When you are injured in a car crash, the adrenaline can kick in. Sometimes the pain doesn’t hit until later.
Three things to do after a car crash with injuries
These three steps will help you ensure that your rights are protected in a car crash with injuries.
1 Call a Police Officer
It may seem obvious, but some people who are hurt in a car crash, don’t think they need to call the police. They may think it’s sufficient to obtain the other driver’s insurance details.
While this may be sufficient in a fender bender in a parking lot, if you have injuries you should call the police, even if you believe they are minor ones.
By calling the police, you can get the circumstances of the crash documented. The police report is likely to be invaluable in a future personal injury claim. If another driver is charged with a criminal offense, it may also help your case.
However, you should not rely on police evidence alone. It can be inaccurate and the accident scene may have changed by the time an officer arrives. Take pictures on your smart phone and get statements from witnesses, if you are not too seriously injured. These can help your case.
2 Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to seek medical attention if you have been injured in a car, truck or a motorcycle accident. While getting your injuries documented will help your case, it’s important to seek medical attention because you may be seriously hurt.
Never assume that the soreness or the pain that you are feeling after a collision is going to go away. Typically, the pain from an injury can exacerbate in the hours and days after the wreck.
Make sure to document any new complaints that crop up in the days and weeks after the wreck because long-term injuries may take longer to show pain or symptoms.
Seeking medical attention immediately will help any insurance claims you may have from the accident. The longer you delay medical treatment, the more likely the insurance company will seek to downplay the extent of your injuries. They may say they could not be serious if you did not seek medical attention at the time.
There’s also a danger that any injuries will get worse without medical attention. This will complicate your case and harm your claim later on.
3 Contact An Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Attorney
The roads of Georgia can be very dangerous, particularly around Atlanta. Often an insurance company will try to negate or downplay your claim. It makes sense to hire an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer.
Once you have hired an attorney, you won’t have to deal with the insurance company and risk saying things that can harm your claim. However, you should refrain from discussing details with family members and friends and posting on social media. Often people with an ongoing lawsuit disable their social media accounts.
If you have a strong personal injury claim, your lawyer can guide you through the process. This may be complicated if you have already given statements to the insurance company. It makes sense to hire a lawyer early on in the process so as the attorney can take over your claim. Call us today at (404) 913-1529.