The Five Steps Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers Want You To Take After An Accident
Any accident that causes personal injuries is a frightening event. Our attorneys offer various suggestions on how to proceed after an accident, as well as what you can do to protect yourself and your family. The following advice may apply in some circumstances but not in others. However, the ideas discussed have a universal theme throughout and can be amended to apply in almost every situation. In many cases, your instincts will take over, and panic will set in. That is perfectly normal. This article is not designed to persuade you to override your instincts. Instead, we want to give you some things to think about if you experience an accident.
Step One
The immediate aftermath of any accident is typically chaotic. The first thing you will want do is take stock of whether you and the occupants of your vehicle have any injuries. Check yourself first. Your inclination might be to check others first, especially if you are traveling with loved ones, but do not. The reason is simple: you might be hurt but not know it because you are so concerned about someone else. Take a second to examine how you feel, then try to help anyone else who might need assistance. Seek medical attention if you feel like there is something wrong. You could have internal damage or other injuries even if you think you are only a “little banged up.”
Step Two
Report the accident. Georgia state law requires people to report car accidents if someone was hurt. However, our advice is not limited to car crashes. You should report any incident to the store manager if you slip and fall in a supermarket, store, restaurant or other place of business. Additionally, you must report a work-related incident and injury within thirty(30) days to a superior or another designee if you are hurt on the job and could require medical attention.
Step Three
Do your best to remember how the situation felt. Your memories will be important at the scene. Recalling the situation accurately will help you report the incident to police or other authorities. That is important because what you tell police or reporting authority will become part of an official record of what transpired. Perhaps more importantly, what you tell the people who respond to your accident might need the information you give to prevent another incident from happening. Additionally, those memories will be important later on if you have to retell your story. Remembering the feelings you have may help you retain an accurate memory of the circumstances surrounding your accident.
Step Four
Try to stay calm. This advice works hand-in-hand with step three. You cannot tell people what happened if you are screaming and yelling. Keeping your wits about you will help you give people accurate information. That does not mean you cannot be upset. Getting upset is a natural response to a traumatic situation, but getting overly angry or aggressive can be detrimental to your potential claim and should be avoided.
Step Five
Contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney Montlick & Associates as soon as practicable after the accident. Our attorneys will advise you on your legal rights as well as what steps can be taken to protect those rights.
Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Montlick & Associates today for your free consultation. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Our auto accident attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast for over 39 years.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333