What to Do After a Car Accident in Atlanta: Complete Guide by Attorney Ronnie Mabra

Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene (First 30 Minutes)

1. Check for Injuries and Call 911

Your safety and the safety of others is the top priority. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if injuries seem minor, call 911 immediately. In Georgia, you’re required to report any accident resulting in:

• Injuries or death
• Property damage exceeding $500
• If a vehicle needs to be towed

Important: Some injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Always seek medical attention, even if you “feel fine.”

2. Move to Safety (If Possible)

If your vehicle is drivable and you’re not seriously injured:

• Turn on hazard lights immediately
• Move your vehicle to the shoulder or side street
• Set up flares or warning triangles if available
• Stay out of traffic lanes

Under Georgia law O.C.G.A. § 40-6-275, you’re required to move your vehicle from traffic if it’s safe to do so.

3. Document Everything – This is Critical!

As someone who’s handled thousands of cases, I cannot stress enough how important documentation is. Use your phone to capture:

4. Exchange Information (But Be Careful What You Say)

Collect the following from all drivers involved:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver’s license number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Vehicle make, model, year, and color
• Vehicle registration information
• License plate number

5. Gather Witness Information

Witnesses can make or break your case. If there are bystanders who saw the accident:

• Get their full names and phone numbers
• Ask them to briefly describe what they saw
• Record their statement on your phone (with permission)
• Note where they were standing/driving when they witnessed the accident

Within 24 Hours After the Accident

6. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you declined medical transport at the scene, see a doctor within 24 hours. Here’s why:

• Hidden injuries: Adrenaline masks pain; injuries may appear later
• Documentation: Creates a medical record linking injuries to the accident
• Insurance requirement: Gaps in treatment can be used to deny claims
• Legal importance: Delays can be argued as proof injuries weren’t serious

7. Report to Your Insurance Company

Georgia law requires prompt notification to your insurance company. When calling:

• Report the basic facts only
• Don’t give a recorded statement yet
• Don’t accept any settlement offers
• Don’t sign any documents
• Tell them you’re seeking legal counsel

8. Contact Attorney Ronnie Mabra Immediately

The sooner you have legal representation, the better protected your rights are. Here’s what I do immediately for my clients:

• Send a preservation letter to prevent evidence destruction
• Begin investigating while evidence is fresh
• Handle all insurance company communications
• Coordinate with medical providers
• Calculate the true value of your claim

Within One Week: Critical Actions

9. Obtain the Police Report

In Georgia, police reports are typically available 5-7 days after the accident. You can obtain yours from:

• The responding police department
• Georgia State Patrol (for highway accidents)
• Online through BuyCrash.com
• Your attorney can obtain it for you

10. Document Your Injuries and Damages

Start a detailed journal documenting:

• Daily pain levels (1-10 scale)
• Activities you can’t perform
• Work missed
• Medical appointments
• Medications taken
• Emotional impact
• Sleep disruption
• Impact on family life

11. Preserve All Evidence

• Don’t repair your vehicle until photographed thoroughly
• Keep all damaged personal property
• Save all medical records and bills
• Keep pharmacy receipts
• Document lost wages with pay stubs
• Save all correspondence from insurance companies

Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

In my 15+ years representing accident victims, I’ve seen good cases destroyed by these mistakes:

❌ Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Posting on social media: Insurance companies monitor your accounts
2. Giving recorded statements without an attorney: They’ll use your words against you
3. Accepting the first settlement offer: It’s always lowball
4. Missing medical appointments: Creates gaps they’ll exploit
5. Not following doctor’s orders: Shows you’re not really injured
6. Waiting too long to get legal help: Evidence disappears, witnesses forget
7. Signing documents from insurance companies: May include hidden releases
8. Discussing your case with others: They may become witnesses

Understanding Georgia’s Legal Timeline

Statute of Limitations

In Georgia, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). However, there are exceptions:

• Claims against government entities: 6 months to 1 year notice requirement
• Wrongful death claims: 2 years from date of death
• Property damage only: 4 years
• Hit and run with unidentified driver: 2 years from accident

Insurance Claim Deadlines

• Report to your insurance: “Promptly” (usually within 30 days)
• UM/UIM claims: Follow your policy requirements exactly
• Medical payment coverage: Often 1 year for submission

Special Situations Requiring Immediate Action

Commercial Vehicle or Truck Accidents

If hit by a commercial vehicle, time is critical because:

• Electronic logs are overwritten after 30 days
• Driver logs can be destroyed
• Video footage is often deleted within days
• Vehicles may be repaired quickly

Rideshare Accidents (Uber/Lyft)

These cases involve complex insurance issues:

• Multiple insurance policies may apply
• Coverage depends on driver’s status
• App data must be preserved immediately

Hit and Run Accidents

If the at-fault driver fled:

• File a police report immediately (required for UM claim)
• Canvas for security cameras quickly
• Check for doorbell cameras in the area
• Post on local social media for witnesses
• Notify your insurance within 24 hours

How Much is Your Case Worth?

Every case is unique, but compensation typically includes:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (current and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages (Rare Cases):

• DUI accidents
• Reckless driving
• Intentional conduct

Why Every Hour Matters: Evidence Disappears

Evidence critical to your case can vanish quickly:

• ⏰ Security footage: Often overwritten in 24-72 hours
• ⏰ Skid marks: Fade or are washed away by rain
• ⏰ Vehicle damage: Cars get repaired or totaled
• ⏰ Witness memory: Details fade within days
• ⏰ Electronic data: Deleted or overwritten
• ⏰ Physical evidence: Debris cleared from scene

The Ronnie Mabra Difference

When you hire me, you’re not just getting an attorney—you’re getting an advocate who treats you like family. Here’s what sets my approach apart:

Immediate Response Team

• 24/7 availability for new accidents
• Investigators dispatched immediately
• Evidence preservation within hours
• Direct communication with me, not paralegals

Former State Representative Advantage

My legislative experience means I understand Georgia laws from the inside:

• Know how laws are interpreted
• Understand insurance regulations
• Connections throughout Georgia’s legal system
• Fighter for consumer rights

No Recovery, No Fee Promise

• You pay nothing upfront
• We advance all case costs
• No attorney fees unless we win
• Free consultation always

Frequently Asked Questions

Remember: The insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize your claim from the moment your accident is reported. Don’t face them alone. Let me fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering.

Attorney Ronnie Mabra
Georgia Super Lawyer • Top 100
Former Georgia State Representative
Your Trusted Atlanta Auto Accident Attorney