What to Do When You Are in a Traffic Accident

Personal Injury, Vehicle Accidents

In Atlanta, motor vehicle accidents happen all the time. They might not even seem like a big deal, at first. Maybe you’re backing out of a parking space and the oncoming driver doesn’t see you. You could be bumped at an intersection when a red light sneaks up on you.

Sooner or later, you’re likely to get into a traffic accident of some sort.

An accident like a fender bender may seem small or innocuous, but that doesn’t mean they’re without consequence. Any accident can cause major damage, even if everything seems fine at first.

Make sure you’re prepared to deal with the inconvenience, so you can come out on the other side with ease.

Causes of Automobile Fender Benders

Many things can cause a fender bender. Slick roads from a rainy day, a distracted driver checking their phone while cruising through a parking lot, or getting rear ended in slow moving traffic.

No matter how it happened, they can have a huge impact. Even small accidents can ruin your day. Some accidents don’t have any visual damage, either to your car or to your person.

If you’re in a situation like that and don’t know what to do, the automobile accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Nicholas P. Martin have your back.

What to Do When You Are in an Atlanta Traffic Accident

There are some steps you should take in any traffic accident, no matter how small.

First, take steps to protect the lives of everyone involved. Unless it’s absolutely impossible, pull over to the side of the road and get out of the flow of traffic. Put on your emergency blinkers. Check to see if you’re injured. It’s possible some pain may reveal itself later, but for now, make sure there’s no immediate danger.

Now that you’ve protected yourself, time to assess the situation. Call the police. This step is necessary. You need to make sure you’re protected, legally and financially, and you’ll need a police report for that.

Note the other car involved. Do they have damage? Write down their make, model, color, and license plate, just in case. Take photos or video of the accident scene. Having evidence like this will only benefit you later.

Hopefully the police will arrive soon, but regardless, you’re going to have to exchange information with the other driver.

Exchange insurance information with them, and write down their full name, contact info, along with the name and phone number of their insurance company.

Keep an eye out for potential witnesses. It may just be a minor accident, but having a statement in your favor can never hurt. Also, keep calm. You want potential witnesses or police officers to remember your grace under pressure, not you shouting and cursing.

Notify your insurance company. In every situation. Don’t give into the temptation to just “work it out” with the other driver. Yes, even if it was your fault. If they bring a claim

against your insurance company, you’ll be caught with your pants down. Plus you may be legally obligated to notify them. Either way, it’s the right call.

Should You See a Doctor After a Traffic Accident?

After you leave the scene, we’d advise you receive a medical examination. Shock and pride can make you ignore a lot of symptoms.

Maybe you believe you’re not injured. Maybe you’re tempted to say something to that effect to the other driver or the police officer taking the report. Please do not do this.

Injuries can show up hours or even days after the fact. Many injuries are not obvious. Get checked out by your doctor or go to an emergency room or urgent care.

What’s Wrong With Your Car?

Just like you’re paying attention to your body in the days after the incident, make sure you pay attention to your car, as well.

Does everything feel normal with your car? Is there suddenly a new sound that wasn’t there before?

Don’t let anything slip by you just because you were able to drive away from the accident. You don’t want to be stuck with a bill months down the line because you assumed nothing was wrong.

Now is Not the Time to Ignore Anything

One more piece of advice: Be overly cautious. If you hear a noise in your car or feel a new tension in your neck, don’t think they’ll just go away.

Your body will do a lot to try to make you think you’re ok, but any car accident is an extremely fraught situation. If you’re worried something is wrong, move on it immediately.

You can’t possibly overreact. The farther away you are from the accident, the more likely you are for an insurance company to try and dismiss your claim.

Automobile Accident Attorney for Atlanta Drivers

For accidents that occur at slow speeds and involved little damage, you likely don’t need to involve an attorney. But if something goes wrong… if you’ve been injured or the at-fault driver’s insurance company is trying to cheat you, The Law Offices of Nicholas P. Martin are ready, willing, and able to get you the settlement you deserve.

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Nick Martin

Since becoming a member of the State Bar of Georgia in 2010, Nick has represented hundreds of clients.

Nick enjoys helping the people of Atlanta with their personal injury and fair labor issues. When he’s not working, Nick can be found woodworking, competitive rifle shooting, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his family.

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