Handling the aftereffects of a car accident in Dekalb County

June 05, 2013

One of the first things you learned when you first started driving was the importance of being a defensive driver. You were taught how to put enough distance between you and other drivers and how to respond when another car braked suddenly or veered into your lane. Yet, despite all of the things that you do to protect yourself and your family, you can still find yourself the victim of a collision with a serious injury to recover from.

According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, there were over 25,000 car accidents that occurred in Dekalb County in 2011, resulting in over 8,000 injuries. While you cannot always prevent an accident, you can prepare for how to handle the aftermath of being injured in a crash and dealing with the legal challenge often associated with obtaining compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Be prepared

Everyone hopes never to be in a car accident, but given the statistics, it is a good idea to be prepared. As such, it is important to put together a plan of what needs to be done in the event of a car crash and injury. These preparations should include:
- Review your insurance policy - When examining your current coverage, you should look at whether your insurance will cover the costs of a rental car, what your deductible for a car accident is, whether you have towing coverage, and what is the minimum and maximum amount that your company will pay.
- Assemble an accident kit - The accident kit should include emergency flares to warn other drivers that an accident has occurred, an accident form, a flashlight with brand new batteries, and a disposable camera if your phone does not have a camera.
- Contact information - In the event of a car accident the one of the first calls you make should be to your insurance company. You also want a way to contact family members and your medical doctor. This information can be stored in your cell phone or in the glove box of your car.

Document everything

When you are in a car accident, whether it's a fender bender or a severe collision, it is important to document everything that you possibly can. If you are not seriously injured, you can often do this yourself by talking to potential witnesses, taking several photos of the scene, and even writing down your immediate memory to preserve it.

In the event of your being seriously injured, it is important to have a family member prepared to collect everything he or she can, including the police report, medical reports that document your injuries, doctor interviews, and medical records showing treatments, tests and other medical care that was administered.

Seek legal accountability

Dealing with insurance companies can be a challenge in the wake of a car accident. You will need to submit a claim within a timely manner, provide all of the required information, and be prepared to file an appeal if your claim is denied. This may occur when you are dealing with the other driver's insurance, since they will often try to pay as little as possible.

One thing that you want to likely consider is hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your insurance claims and seek legal accountability from the driver responsible for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle. An attorney understands these processes and can provide you with valuable advice as to what your rights are.

Article provided by William Tinkler, Jr. Attorney at Law, P.C.
Visit us at www.tinklerlawfirm.com