Road trips are a great way to see more of the country with family or friends. They give you a chance to stop at out-of-the-way places and discover more on the way to your destination.
But what if you’re in an accident on a road trip? According to the car accident lawyers at Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C., there are several steps you should take after a car collision. Whether you’re in Georgia or have travelled elsewhere, what you need to do after an accident is much the same as if you were in one at home.
Call the Police
In most states, you’ll need to call the local authorities after an accident that has costly damages, serious injuries, or fatalities. They will make a police report and take down important information that will be instrumental in making your claims. If anyone is severely injured, they will make sure that the paramedics are summoned as well.
Obtain Contact Information
After calling the police, you’ll want to get the contact and insurance information from everyone involved in the accident. Most people will cooperate, but for those that don’t, you can capture a photo of the license plate or get it from the police report. If anyone witnessed the accident, you will want to get their information too.
Document the Scene
Use your phone to get photos and videos of the accident scene. Take photos of your car, focusing on the damages as well as capture the surrounding area. You should also take photos of the other vehicles involved or if there was any debris in the road that caused the accident.
Get Medical Treatment
Your wounds may not be gaping and gushing with blood, but regardless, you should let the paramedics check you out. You may even feel fine, but things like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding have symptoms that don’t present themselves immediately. If you were to have one of these injuries, not seeing a doctor is dangerous. Plus, it can work against you in your claim which will mean you may not recover the money you spent on all those medical bills for your care.
Contact Your Insurance Carrier
Even for a small accident, you need to notify your insurance company. This is important even if you were not at fault. Most policies have clauses that stipulate you must contact them in the event of an accident no matter who was at fault within a certain timeframe.
Don’t Give in to Payoffs
A seemingly small accident may be tempting to brush off, especially if the other driver offers you a bunch of cash at the scene. However, it likely won’t cover the cost of the damages to your vehicle. Plus, if you are injured, it certainly won’t cover your medical bills. The same is true with settlements in that you must find out what your future medical outlook will be like before deciding if the offered settlement is sufficient enough to cover all of your damages.
Find a Lawyer That Handles Car Accidents
If your road trip took you to the state of Georgia, you will want to consider a lawyer here that knows the rules of the road. One thing you may find different from your home state is that the comparative negligence laws may be different.
In Georgia, if it is found that you contributed to more than 50% of the damages in an accident, you won’t receive anything for your injuries. It must be found that the other party is mostly at fault. If you bear any fault in the accident up to 49%, you will be compensated based on your percentage of fault.
Another thing that will be different for those out of state and visiting or driving through Georgia is that traffic laws may vary. The laws on the road are different in each state. Some may have similar laws, but the nuances between states can get confusing.
Regardless of where your accident happened on your road trip, it is wise to work with a car accident attorney that can help you recover your losses. Most people only think about the repairs to their vehicles or the immediate doctor bills. Few consider the long-term costs associated with accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, which is something a lawyer can help you estimate to get a just and fair outcome.
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