If you are involved in an accident as an occupant in a motor vehicle, a motorcycle rider, or as a pedestrian, then you may have a claim for your injuries — what the law calls damages — including both physical and mental pain and suffering, recovery for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as damage to your automobile or other property.
- Call the police or local law enforcement before anyone has left the scene of the accident and if possible do not move anything until the police have arrived. Georgia and Alabama law requires each driver to notify law enforcement before leaving the scene of the collision.
- Seek immediate medical attention—it is better to be safe than sorry and many people do not realize how severely they have been injured until hours later.
- Collect Names of all persons involved. Make sure you have the name, address, and contact information of all parties involved including the drivers and any witnesses.
- Obtain insurance information on all vehicles/drivers involved in the collision.
- Never admit fault for the collision. Let the police or your attorney investigate the accident. Oftentimes, the other driver’s conduct played a role in the collision which may or may not be readily apparent to you particularly if you are injured, excited or adrenaline pumping.
- Seek qualified legal counsel—you need a lawyer who has experience in this area and remember, not every lawyer is the right lawyer for your situation. At TED MORGAN LAW your initial consultation and case evaluations are free of charge and require no commitment from you. Make sure your rights are protected and seek legal counsel immediately following your collision, ideally within 24-72 hours after your accident.
- Do not volunteer statements to insurance company reps. Remember, you are not required to give a statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before obtaining qualified legal counsel. Rest assured, they seek to minimize your claim, maximize their profits, and will not represent your best interests.