How long do you have to report a car accident in Georgia? If a car accident causes injury, death, or property damage totaling $500 or more, report the accident to the authorities immediately; comply with insurance policy reporting requirements; and file any lawsuit within the statute of limitations.
If you’ve been in a severe accident, consider getting guidance from a car accident lawyer in Peachtree City as soon as possible.
Why Reporting a Car Accident Right Away Helps You
If you need to file an insurance claim, delayed reporting could affect your coverage if you fail to comply with your policy’s notice requirements. Calling law enforcement also creates an official record of the crash and allows officers to gather information from the people involved and any witnesses at the scene.
The importance of a police report in a car accident can’t be overstated, and an on-the-scene police assessment of the crash can help to limit disputes about liability later on. Although the causes of an accident can seem obvious to you, there might be several differing perspectives, and a police report can help to clarify questions affecting insurance payouts.
Speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931Calling Law Enforcement to the Scene Fulfills Requirements for How Long You Have to Report a Car Accident in Georgia
According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273, a driver in an accident causing $500 or more in property damage, injury, or death must report the accident using the quickest means possible. Calling 911 fulfills this requirement and keeps you on the right side of the law.
The main problem with trying to assess property damage or injuries is that you likely aren’t qualified to do so. Even a doctor who examines an apparently uninjured person after a car accident will advise their patient to look out for delayed symptoms.
Since you can’t be sure nobody was injured and can’t know the cost of vehicle repairs, it’s best to assume that any car accident you’re involved in meets the threshold for immediate reporting. 911 will dispatch the relevant law enforcement agency, and they will prepare a report you might need for insurance claims or to support a lawsuit.
How Long You Have to Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company
Your insurance policy will state how long you have to report a car accident in Georgia. As a rule of thumb, reporting the accident as soon as possible is advisable. You can provide the basic facts without speculating about who was at fault. Basic information to report includes:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The identities and insurance information of the other drivers
- Basic information about the crash, including your direction of travel
- Whether you have been injured
- The responding law enforcement agency and report or case number, if available
If you do not yet have a police report, tell your insurer which law enforcement agency responded to the accident. Your insurer can advise you about any additional information or documentation it needs to process your claim.
How Long You Have to Report a Georgia Car Accident Involving a Government Vehicle
If you were in an accident involving a government vehicle you believe was at fault, there is a special reporting requirement. In general, you must file a notice that you intend to pursue the matter within 6 months if a city vehicle was involved or within 12 months if you believe a county or state vehicle caused the crash.
You will still have time to pursue a lawsuit, but if you fail to comply with this reporting deadline, you would generally lose the right to pursue compensation. Direct a formal ante litem notice to the relevant authority, for example, the State Risk Management Division, county governing authority, or municipal clerk.
What to Do If You Discover Injuries After Reporting to Law Enforcement and Your Insurance Company
A police report typically specifies what officers observed at the scene of a crash. Experiencing delayed symptoms is fairly common, and you need not ask for the police report to be supplemented. To create a clear link between your accident and any injuries you didn’t notice at first, be sure to get a medical checkup even if you feel fine.
If your doctor is initially satisfied with your condition, they will tell you about symptoms that might indicate a need for follow-up. Pay attention to their advice, and be sure to inform your insurance company if you later find that you were injured in the accident.
Your medical records help to show the link between your injuries and the accident. Delaying medical care can lead to the cause of your injuries being questioned. That doesn’t automatically mean you can’t claim, but it can make the process more complicated.
How Long You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Georgia
Reporting an accident to your insurance company does not necessarily resolve all your claims. Depending on the coverage available, your own insurer might pay certain losses under your policy. It might then seek recovery from the at-fault party through subrogation.
Your policy might not cover every loss caused by the accident. If another driver or party was legally responsible, you might also pursue a third-party claim for damages not covered by your insurance, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
If the parties cannot resolve the claim through settlement, you might need to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations for car accidents in Georgia. Per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you would generally have two years from the date of your accident to do so. Consider getting legal representation as soon as possible after your accident so that they can begin preparing your case.
Claim a Free Consultation From Our Georgia Car Accident Attorney
Knowing how long you have to report a car accident in Georgia helps you comply with legal and insurance company requirements at the outset. However, the process of claiming any compensation that may be due to you becomes more complex after that.
Having a lawyer to represent you allows you to focus on your recovery while a professional works on your case. At this stage, you might not know what your options are. An attorney from Shane Smith Law can help you explore them. Your first consultation is free.
