Short answer: Stop, check for injuries, and call 911. Georgia law requires you to stop, give your information, and help anyone who is hurt, and to report any crash that causes an injury, a death, or $500 or more in property damage. Then document the scene, get medical care the same day, notify your insurer without giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, and talk to a lawyer before you sign anything. Most injury claims in Georgia must be filed within two years.
Step 1: Stop, check for injuries, and call 911
Never leave the scene. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270) requires every driver involved in a crash that injures someone or damages a vehicle to stop, give their name, address, and vehicle registration, show their license if asked, and give reasonable help to anyone injured.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if a car can't be driven, or if the other driver is uncooperative or may be impaired. If no one appears seriously hurt and the cars can be driven safely, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-275) requires you to move them out of the travel lanes. That matters on I-75, I-85, I-285 and the Downtown Connector.
Step 2: Make sure the crash is reported
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273, a crash that results in injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more must be reported to the police right away. In Atlanta, that is usually the Atlanta Police Department; on interstates it may be the Georgia State Patrol or a county police department.
Write down the responding officer's name, the agency, and the report or case number. You'll need it to get a copy of the crash report later, and insurers rely on it.
Step 3: Document everything at the scene
If you can do it safely:
- Take photos of all vehicles, license plates, damage, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Get the other driver's name, phone number, license number, insurance company and policy number.
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses. Witnesses leave quickly.
- Note the exact location, time, and weather.
- Look for cameras nearby (businesses, MARTA stops, traffic cameras). Footage is often erased within days.
Don't argue about fault and don't apologize. Even a polite "I'm sorry" can be used later to argue you were to blame.
Step 4: Get medical care the same day
Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain, and injuries like concussions, whiplash and internal injuries often show up hours or days later. A medical record made soon after the crash is also the clearest evidence linking your injuries to the accident. Insurers routinely point to a gap in treatment to argue an injury came from something else.
Step 5: Notify your own insurer, but be careful with theirs
Tell your own insurance company about the crash promptly; your policy requires it. Stick to the facts.
The at-fault driver's insurer may call within a day or two and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one. Their adjuster's job is to pay as little as possible, and anything you say can be used to argue your injuries are minor or that you were partly at fault.
Step 6: Understand how fault affects your claim in Georgia
Georgia is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their insurance, pays for the damage. Georgia also uses modified comparative negligence (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33): you can recover as long as you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame. That's why statements about fault matter so much.
Georgia's minimum liability coverage (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11) is $25,000 per person for injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Serious injuries often exceed that, which makes your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage important. See our guide to Georgia car accident laws for more.
Step 7: Watch the deadlines
- Two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in most Georgia car accident cases (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).
- Four years for property damage to your vehicle (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31).
- Much shorter notice deadlines if a government vehicle or road defect was involved: written notice to a city within six months, and to a county or the State of Georgia within 12 months.
See How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Georgia? for exceptions.
Step 8: Talk to an Atlanta car accident lawyer before you sign anything
Don't sign a release or accept a quick settlement check before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign a release, the claim is usually over for good.
At Leeds Law Firm, car accident cases are handled on a contingency basis: no fee unless we recover money for you. The first consultation is free, we're available 24/7, and hablamos español. Learn more about our Atlanta car accident practice or how personal injury lawyer fees work in Atlanta.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor car accident in Atlanta?
Georgia law requires reporting any crash that causes injury, death, or at least $500 in property damage. Because most bodywork costs more than $500, most crashes qualify. A police report also helps your insurance claim.
Should I see a doctor if I don't feel hurt after a car accident?
Yes. Many crash injuries don't show symptoms right away, and a prompt medical record is key evidence if you later need to make a claim.
Do I have to give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement?
No. You must cooperate with your own insurer under your policy, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Talk to a lawyer first.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Georgia?
Generally two years from the date of the crash for injuries and four years for property damage. Claims involving a government vehicle or agency have much shorter notice deadlines.
How much does an Atlanta car accident lawyer cost?
At Leeds Law Firm, car accident cases are handled on contingency: no fee unless we recover money for you, and the consultation is free.
Hurt in a car accident in Atlanta? Call us for a free consultation
Leeds Law Firm, PLLC, 3340 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30326. Call (678) 509-6133 or contact us online, 24/7. ## Sources
- O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270: duty to stop and render aid
- O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273: reporting crashes to police
- O.C.G.A. § 40-6-275: moving vehicles out of the road
- O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33: comparative fault
- O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11: minimum auto insurance
- O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33: two-year personal injury deadline
- O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31: four-year property damage deadline
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
