Why Is It So Important to Call the Police After Your Atlanta Car Accident?

If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident in Atlanta, you know that the first thing you need to do is call the police. We’re taught this from an early age. The cops will come and do a thorough investigation of the accident scene. They’ll also make sure anyone who is injured is transported to the emergency room.

Not only does it make good sense to call 911 after a crash, but it’s also the law. The State of Georgia requires that all car accidents be reported. This law requires you to report any accident that causes more than $500 in property damage. It also demands that you report any Atlanta car accident that results in bodily injury or death. For the most part, this means that every crash has to be reported. It’s very hard to estimate exactly how much property damage has been caused. And, as we’ll discuss later, there’s no way to know for sure if anyone has been injured.

When Atlanta car accident lawyers find out that their clients didn’t call the cops after their accident, they know they’ll be fighting an uphill battle. You really don’t want to make your lawyer’s job any harder than it already is. The best thing to do is to call the police and get a copy of their report. Then, you should call and talk to a seasoned car accident lawyer in Atlanta right away.

The Police Report Contains Information Your Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Needs

Not only are you required to call the police after your car accident, but you should want to call them. They’ll come out to the scene and do a thorough investigation. They’ll look to see who was at fault. They’ll also create an accident report. This police report is going to contain information that will be very valuable to your car accident lawsuit in Georgia. Your lawyer is going to rely on this information in order to prove your case.

Some of the information contained in the police report include the following:

• A description of the accident scene
• Pictures of the cars and the roadway
• Contact information for both of the drivers
• License and insurance information for the drivers involved in the crash
• Witness statements
• Contact information for the witnesses

This is the sort of information that won’t be available once the accident scene is cleared. And, odds are, your Atlanta car accident lawyer won’t be able to get this information any other way. For example, a witness isn’t going to be as willing to talk to your lawyer as they would a police officer. And, if you don’t call the cops, there’s no way to know for sure if the information the other driver gave you was accurate and legitimate.

The Insurance Company Will Expect a Copy of the Police Report

Not only will your Georgia car accident lawyer need a copy of the police report. The insurance company is also going to expect this information. Like your attorney, the insurance adjuster will use this report to determine who was at fault. Without a police report, it can take a lot longer for the insurance company to pay your claim. In fact, without a police report, they may deny payment altogether. This is why it’s so important that you call 911 immediately after your crash. There is too much at stake to risk not having this report. It’s also important that you have as much information as possible to help prove your case.

Call and Talk to a Skilled Auto Accident Attorney in Georgia

Hundreds of people in Georgia get into a car accident every day. Thankfully, most people don’t get seriously hurt in these crashes. They walk away with a few bumps and bruises. The biggest bruise is usually to their ego. However, other times, these accidents can be very serious. When this is the case, you need to call an experienced auto accident attorney in Atlanta. They can review your case and give you an idea of whether you have a legal claim or not.

Call our office today and schedule your initial consultation. Let one of our seasoned attorneys review your case and answer any questions you may have. They can contact the insurance company and try to negotiate a settlement of your claim. They’ll also gather the evidence necessary to prove the other driver was at fault. The consultation is free and you don’t pay anything until your case is resolved.