What Do I Do Now?
- Stop. Always stop, even for a minor wreck or a fender bender. Do not ever leave the scene of an accident.
- Secure the scene and be safe. Even after a wreck, the safety of you and your passengers should be your top priority. If possible, turn off your vehicle, turn on your flashers and stay inside of your vehicle.
- Call 9-1-1. Many people do not like to get the police involved for minor wrecks. You should always call 911 and request a police officer to come to the scene. Even if you and the other driver do not want an accident report, the police officer can ensure everyone at the scene remains calm and help direct traffic around your vehicle.
- Check on the other driver. Check to make sure the other driver is conscious, alert and appears uninjured. Many times the 911 operator may ask you to do this while you are on the phone with them.
- Take pictures. Always take pictures of your vehicle, the other vehicle, the damage to both vehicles and an overall picture of the entire wreck scene. It is always smart to use your phone or your own camera to take the pictures, don’t rely on someone else to send you the pictures later.
- Exchange insurance information. Always get the other driver’s personal information and insurance information. Even if you are not planning on filing an insurance claim, you might still need this information. If you exchange insurance information at the accident scene, there might not be a need to wait for an accident report which might take a few days or a few weeks.
- Report your accident. It is always in your best interest to call your insurance company, even if the accident was not your fault. In fact, you may not know it, but this is required under your insurance contract. After an accident is not the time to worry about insurance premiums or deductibles, your insurance company is there to help you.
- Seek medical attention. If you feel any pain at all after an accident, assume that the pain will not go away and go to the emergency room or to your family doctor. It is usually best to fear the worst but pray for the best when it comes to car accident injuries.
- Pick up the accident report. If you elected to have a police officer, sheriff’s deputy or trooper prepare an accident report for you, read over the report and make sure everything is correct. The accident report should have the other driver’s insurance information on it. Remember that you will need to notify your insurance company that you have the accident report and possibly send them a copy of it.
- Protect your rights. If you’ve been involved in a car wreck or automobile accident in Tennessee or Georgia, call the law offices of Warren & Griffin and let us tell you if you are entitled to compensation due to the wreck.
Have You Been In a Car Wreck Recently?
Whether your car is in shambles or you have been hurt or seriously injured, you need an attorney on your side who will fight to get you compensated. If you have been involved in a car wreck or automobile accident in Tennessee or Georgia, we can help you! Email C. Mark Warren at cmark@warrenandgriffin.com or call our office at (423) 265-HURT (4878).