What to Do After a Multi-Car Accident in Atlanta: A Step-by-Step Guide

Being in a car accident is incredibly frightening. This fear can only intensify when the wreck involves more than one vehicle. Multi-car accidents, or pileups, can be dangerous wherever they happen. Here is what you should do if you’re in a multi-car accident.

Pileups most often occur due to dangerous weather conditions, with fog being the main culprit. Heavy rain and snowstorms can also cause multi-car collisions. However, they can also happen at intersections if a car runs a red light and causes an accident in the intersection. In order to outright avoid a pileup, it’s important to be aware of the weather conditions and to drive according to the weather that may occur on the road. It is also important to drive defensively at all times.

Despite preparation, sometimes pileups are unavoidable. Multi-car accidents can happen very quickly, and are often caused by a chain event on the roadway. After a multi-vehicle crash, the collision scene is hectic, and the flow of traffic may be stopped.

After a pileup, the most important thing you can do is to stay calm and contact 911 immediately. Check your passengers and yourself to make sure that there aren’t any major injuries. You should also stay in your car. Due to the nature of pileups, it is hard to predict when the collision scene is safe. If the collision is not over, another vehicle may injure you as you exit the vehicle. Keep your seatbelt fastened, turn on your hazard lights, and do not leave your car until you are instructed by first responders.

If you’re able to do so, taking photos will help support your case later down the line. Remain in your vehicle, but try to obtain any photographic or video evidence. This may be the only tangible piece of evidence that you have once the collision is over. Before reporting your claim, take notes and write down all the details from what happened, including any injuries. Make sure to stay and give your statement to the police.

Once first responders have arrived, make sure to get yourself checked out by the paramedics. Even if you do not have any immediate injuries, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries may have symptoms that do not occur until hours or days later. If you have been cleared by paramedics, make an appointment with your doctor within the coming days to get a full assessment of your health.

After a multi-car accident, insurance claims can be a lengthy process. It’s difficult for an insurance company to decide who is at fault. This is why you will need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney before contacting your insurance company. Here at Greathouse Trial Law, we want to help you understand what your rights are as a passenger in a car accident.

Contact us today for your free case evaluation. We aim to serve the great people of Atlanta and to give a voice to the voiceless.

Greathouse Trial Law

100 Galleria Parkway

Suite 1460,

Atlanta GA 30339

(678) 310-2827

www.atltriallaw.com