Traffic in Atlanta is notoriously awful, and accidents are very common, so it’s important to know what steps you should take before a fender-bender, or worse, happens.
Receiving Chiropractic treatment for auto accident injuries is stressful enough without having to ask, “I just got into a car crash in Atlanta, what should I do now?”
Because car accidents can be so disorienting, it’s a good idea to keep a checklist of post-accident steps to take somewhere readily available in your vehicle, purse, or wallet.
That way you’ll be sure not to miss anything that could come back to bite you later.
First, a few things to do before your next drive: make sure all of your important documents (driver’s license, car insurance card, health insurance card, vehicle registration, a list of emergency contacts, etc.) are in your purse or wallet, along with a pen.
Also, try to keep your phone charged at all times (or at least keep an emergency charger with you) and if your car insurance company has an app, make sure you have it installed.
After Your Car Accident Has Happened
- If Possible, Move Off the Road
Vehicles left in the roadway will cause more accidents, so if no one is seriously injured and the cars are drivable, move them over to the shoulder and out of the flow of traffic. If either vehicle is too damaged to drive, leave it for a tow truck to handle.
- Call the Police
If the accident was minor, the police might not need to file a report, but it’s best not to assume. If you don’t call and it turns out that an officer did need to be present, it can create a lot of trouble down the line.
- Remain at the Scene
If an officer doesn’t need to be present and both cars are drivable, you can just exchange insurance and contact information (after making a note of any damage and how the accident occurred, for insurance purposes) and carry on with your day. Otherwise, stay put!
If you leave the scene of the accident before you’re supposed to, especially if anyone was injured, you could face serious consequences. Just put on your hazards and wait until you’re cleared to leave.
- Contact Your Insurance Company
If your car insurance provider has an app, you should be able to take pictures of any damage and gather other information with the app itself. If not, take lots of pictures and notes to have on hand when you call them.
- Get Injury Screened
Even if you feel perfectly fine, it’s smart to get screened for any injuries within 24 hours of a car accident.
During the panic after an accident you may not notice any injuries immediately, but if you discover them later, it may be too late to prove the accident caused them, leaving you without the medical compensation you need.
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality for people who live in Atlanta, but if you keep these steps in mind (or printed out in your vehicle), you’ll be prepared for the aftermath.
