In the event that you are a driver involved in an accident, Georgia law requires that you stop immediately at the scene, or as close as possible. This is true for any driver involved, not just drivers of the primary cars in the crash. Bellamy v. Edwards, 181 Ga. App. 887, 354 S.E.2d 434 (1987). Drivers should cooperate at the scene and exchange information, including name, address, and registration numbers. If someone is hurt, it is the responsibility of the other driver to offer reasonable assistance — including notification of emergency services and law enforcement, or even transporting the injured person to the nearest doctor, if emergency transport is not available and the injury required immediate attention.
If you are involved in a bad car wreck and you are not at fault, your first priority is the safety of you and those around you. Make sure that you are free from the danger of being hit by other cars speeding past you and if you have are on the side of the road of shoulder of the highway, make sure that you do not linger close to oncoming traffic as the car speeding by you may not see you and could wind up hitting you. Not only is being hit while on the side of the road more common than you might think, the results are usually catastrophic and often this type of accidents leave the accident victim in much worse shape than the original accident. For example, there are many cases of a fender bender taking place on the highway, the cars moving over to the shoulder of the road, and then one of the driver who was involved in the original wreck being hit and killed by a passing car as they waited for the police or ambulance to come to the scene. Don’t take any chances and don’t assume other drivers are watching out for you and can see you on the side of the road. Move as far from traffic as you can and make sure you are not in a position to be hit by a car who is traveling on the road while you wait for the authorities to come to the scene of your accident. Keep calm, make sure that the at-fault driver does not leave the scene, but most important, stay safe.
For more than 20 years, Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, personal injury, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been injured or died as a result of the negligence of others in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area, including Alpharetta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, College Park, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. He has handled car wreck cases that have also involved injuries from a second wreck as well. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or died while under anesthesia and would like quality legal representation or if you would just like to consult about a potential case, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.