One of the first steps to take if you are involved in a car accident is to call 911 and report it. Dispatch will send a police officer and emergency medical technicians to the accident scene if injuries are involved. Once the police officer arrives, they will complete a police report containing essential details about the accident.
The responding officer will talk to both parties involved in the accident and any witnesses who saw the accident happen to obtain as much information as possible about the events leading up to the crash, how the accident occurred, and whether negligence was a factor. Examples of negligent behavior include speeding, drunk driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. It is crucial that you obtain a copy of the report.
In most cases, the police report will not be available right away. It generally takes between three and four days to process the report, at which time you can obtain a copy of the report in one of the following three ways:
In order to get a copy of the report, you will need to provide the following:
Often, the police officer will provide a card with your accident report number, which you can use to request a copy of the report.
Unfortunately, if you or the other motorist did not call the police, a police officer will not complete an accident report after the fact. However, you can complete a personal accident report, allowing you to document everything that happened to the best of your recollection. You should do this as soon as possible after the accident while the details are still fresh in your head.
It is recommended that you collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including the following:
If you were injured in a car accident, contact our Savannah car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 478-254-2007 or contact us online. Located in Macon, Georgia, we serve clients in Savannah, Albany, and Atlanta.
Facing the aftermath of a serious accident can be overwhelming. Before you speak with the insurance companies, make sure you schedule a free consultation with the Macon personal injury lawyers at Childers & McCain. We can protect your rights while anticipating the insurance company’s tactics to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve. You don’t have to navigate this tough road alone – let our team of professionals help you move forward.