How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident?

In Georgia, you must report a car accident to the police immediately if it results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. The easiest way to adhere to this law is by calling 911 immediately after being involved in or witnessing a collision. 

Reporting a crash to the police is the first step, and after that, you might be ready to work with insurance companies. However, we highly advise that you contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer first. Your legal counsel can advocate for your rights in the aftermath of the crash.

What Should You Do After You Get Into a Car Accident? 

Knowing what to do after an accident can lower the likelihood of you panicking or exacerbating the situation by experiencing additional injuries and damages. Immediately after an accident, there are specific steps that can help you prioritize the safety of everyone involved. 

Here’s what Georgia state law requires anyone who is involved in an accident to do in the aftermath of a collision:

• Drivers must either stop their cars close to the scene of the accident or return to the scene after moving their vehicles out of the way of traffic. 
• All drivers must exchange their contact and insurance information with one another, which includes showing each other their driver’s licenses.
• Drivers must render aid to anyone who is injured, call for an ambulance if necessary, or give people any immediate assistance that they need at the scene.
• Drivers must notify law enforcement of any injuries or deaths that occurred as a result of the accident. 
• Each driver should file a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles or follow up with law enforcement to make sure the police submitted the report on your behalf. Otherwise, you could be held liable if the report does not go on record.

If you’re wondering when to hire an lawyer after a car accident, the answer is as soon as possible. Your lawyer can advise you on your next steps and stand by your side as you pursue compensation for your injuries and any damages you sustained. 

Georgia Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims

After a collision, you will be subject to a statute of limitations. This is a law that determines how much time you have to pursue legal action in your case. You must adhere to this deadline if you want to file a lawsuit. 

In Georgia, you’ll generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, a 24-month timeline is not applied to all cases. There might be exceptions for the following scenarios:  

• If the accident involved a government entity or vehicle
• If the collision caused injuries to minor-aged victims 

If you miss the deadline set by the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. The court is unlikely to hear your case, and insurers might refuse to negotiate a settlement once the filing window has closed. 

It’s also important to note that gathering evidence and building a strong case takes time. By acting sooner than later, you’ll allow your legal team to investigate the accident, interview witnesses, and collect all the documentation they need to support your claim. 

Do You Need to Report Every Car Accident to the Police?

No, you do not need to report every car accident to the police. However, state law mandates that you report any collision resulting in injury, death, or damage above $500. 

At the same time, you might want to file a police report no matter the severity of the situation because this type of documentation can be helpful if disputes arise or hidden damages appear at a later date. 

Also, please note that failing to report an accident when required can lead to the following legal consequences: 

• Fines
• License suspension
• Criminal charges

Additionally, unreported accidents may leave you vulnerable to liability claims if another party decides to take legal action. If you want to protect your rights and remain compliant with state laws, it doesn’t hurt to err on the side of caution and report the incident no matter what. 

How Long Do You Have to Notify Your Insurance Company After an Accident?

When it comes to how long you have to notify your insurance company after an accident, Georgia law does not enforce a specific timeframe. That said, one of the first things you should do after getting in a crash is notify your insurance company. 

Your insurer might require you to report an accident as promptly as you can. However, note that some companies have a specific timeframe that they require you to adhere to, so check your policy to understand what is expected of you as the victim of a personal injury case. 

In addition to reading your insurance policy to understand the requirements, you should file a report to ensure that your insurance company is prepared in the event that the other party files a claim later on. Your lawyer can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. 

Should You Report a Minor Accident if There Are No Injuries?

You should still report a minor accident even if there are no injuries. Some injuries—such as whiplash or concussions—might not become apparent until hours after the collision. Sometimes, you might not realize you’re hurt until days after the fact. 

Similarly, seemingly minor vehicle damage can result in costly repairs once a professional has assessed your vehicle. When you report the incident right away, you create a paper trail, and it can serve as an official record that you can use if disputes arise later. 

On the other hand, without a police report, it can be hard to establish fault or prove that the events of the accident happened in the way you claimed they did. Additionally, if the other party changes his or her story, a collision report can challenge the discrepancies in their claims. 

How Can a Police Report Strengthen Your Car Accident Claim?

A police report can strengthen your car accident claim because it provides an objective account of the incident. Police reports often contain details about those involved, eyewitness statements, and citations that were issued at the scene, if any. 

Insurance companies and courts alike often rely on this official documentation when determining liability, establishing fault, and assessing the validity of your claims. Without a police report, you might face disputes regarding the events that caused the accident and the severity of damages. 

Additionally, if a report is filed immediately after the collision, this demonstrates that you took the incident seriously and followed all legal protocols. When you work with a lawyer, you can easily obtain a copy of the police report and apply it to your case.

What Is the Role of Witnesses in Reporting a Car Accident?

Witnesses often play an important role because they can corroborate your account of the accident. Their statements can provide even more details about the events that led up to the collision, the behavior of all drivers involved, or the extent of the injuries you sustained. 

When you report an accident, make sure you include the names of witnesses and jot down their contact information. They can testify on your behalf, which is especially valuable if the other party decides to dispute fault or challenge the severity of the damages they caused you.

Why You Should Avoid Delays in Reporting a Car Accident

If you delay the process of reporting a car accident, you might run into consequences that were otherwise avoidable. For example, certain types of evidence—such as skid marks or debris—can disappear quickly. 

Not only does this make it harder to reconstruct the events of the crash, but it also means you won’t be able to prove that you sustained those damages if the physical proof is gone. Plus, the memories of witnesses run the risk of fading over time. 

In turn, the reliability of their statements decreases. Insurance companies might also view any delays as a red flag and question the legitimacy of your claim. They could undermine your case by arguing that the accident wasn’t severe enough to warrant immediate action. 

What to Do if Insurance Companies Reach Out to You After Getting Into a Car Crash 

Do not talk to an insurance company without the presence of your lawyer. Many insurance companies pride themselves on how quickly they pay out claims to victims like you. However, the truth of the matter is that they are in the business of making money. 

Insurance companies want to minimize how much they are responsible for paying. That’s why it’s important to hire a lawyer who will work with you and make sure you only accept a fair compensation offer. Your lawyer will also handle the negotiation side of things for you. 

An attorney with experience handling personal injury cases will apply their experience to the case and fight against the techniques that adjusters often use to discredit your claims. Your lawyer will know what it takes to secure compensation for past, present, and future expenses. 

Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Today for Help Filing Your Car Accident Claim 

Have you been injured in a car crash? Are you wondering how much time you have before you must report the accident to law enforcement? At John Foy & Associates, we offer no-obligation consultations to personal injury victims just like you. 

With experience recovering over $1 billion in compensation, we’ve been representing people who’ve been in vehicle collisions for more than 20 years. We’re here to help. 

If we take on your case, you can rest easy knowing that The Strong Arm is fighting to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn about our firm, discuss the details of your claim, sift through all available evidence, and provide you with legal advice.