You’re sitting at a red light, minding your own business, when all of a sudden, someone smashes into your rear bumper. Or maybe you’re cruising through an intersection and suddenly there’s metal crunching, glass shattering, and airbags exploding in your face.
However it happens, car accidents in Georgia can leave you shaken physically, mentally, and financially. In that fog, the decisions you make can affect everything: your medical bills, your insurance claim, and your ability to recover damages.
At Brodie Law Group, we’ve helped hundreds of Georgia car accident victims, and we’ve seen the same mistakes made over and over. Not because people are careless but because no one teaches you what to do after a crash.
Let’s fix that.
Mistake #1: Skipping the Doctor Because You “Feel Fine”
This happens more often than you’d think. Someone gets rear-ended, feels a little sore, maybe their neck’s tight, but they decide not to see a doctor. Days later, they can barely move.
Adrenaline can mask injuries like whiplash and concussions, which often don’t show up right away. And if you wait too long, the insurance company may argue your injury came from something else.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-6), you can recover damages when someone else’s negligence causes harm, but you need medical records to prove it.
Go to the doctor. Even if you feel okay. Even if it seems like overkill. Better to waste two hours in urgent care than to lose your entire claim because you waited.
If you’re hurt, get checked immediately and talk to a Georgia car accident lawyer who can help protect your rights.
Mistake #2: Apologizing at the Scene
We get it. You’re a decent person, and when something bad happens, your instinct is to say, “I’m sorry.” But after a wreck, those words can be twisted into an admission of fault.
Georgia follows modified comparative negligence (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). If you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Even partial fault reduces your payout.
So when you blurt out “I’m so sorry!” at the scene, guess what the other driver’s lawyer does with that? They frame it like you admitted fault. Doesn’t matter if the other guy was speeding or texting. Your apology becomes ammunition.
Just stick to facts with the police. Tell them what you saw, where you were, what happened. But don’t guess about whose fault it was, and definitely don’t apologize for causing the accident.
Mistake #3: Not Calling the Police
Some people try to handle accidents “off the books.” No police, no insurance, they just exchange info. Sounds simple.
Big mistake.
Then a week later they file a claim saying you caused way more damage than you saw. Or they suddenly have neck pain they didn’t mention. Now it’s your word against theirs, and you’ve got nothing to back you up.
Without a police report, it’s your word against theirs.
Georgia law requires you to report accidents involving injuries, deaths, or property damage over $500 (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273). More importantly, police reports are crucial evidence.
Mistake #4: Trusting the Insurance Adjuster
The adjuster might sound nice on the phone, but remember: they work for the insurance company, not you. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. Quick settlement offers rarely cover medical bills, lost wages, or long-term pain.
They’ll ask you to describe the accident in your own words. Maybe they’ll record it. Then comes the offer: “We can settle this right now for $3,500. You sign here, we cut you a check, and you’re done. Sounds good?”
Here’s the reality: that adjuster doesn’t work for you. They work for the insurance company. Their entire job is paying you as little as possible so their company keeps more money.
That $3,500 offer? It might cover your car repairs, but what about your medical bills? Your lost wages? The pain you’re still dealing with three months from now?
Once you sign that settlement, you’re done. You can’t come back later and say “Actually, I need more money because my injuries got worse.” It’s over.
Be polite to adjusters, but don’t trust them. Don’t give recorded statements without talking to a lawyer first. And definitely don’t sign anything just because they’re pressuring you to “resolve this quickly.”
Mistake #5: Posting on Social Media
It’s tempting to update your friends, but insurance companies and defense lawyers watch your social media. Even harmless posts can be twisted to make it seem like you aren’t really injured.
Mistake #6: Waiting Too Long to Hire a Lawyer
Evidence disappears quickly, skid marks fade, footage gets erased, witnesses forget. Plus, Georgia law gives you two years to file a personal injury claim (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Wait too long, and your case is gone.
A lot of folks think, “I’ll handle this myself for now, and if things get complicated, then I’ll call a lawyer.” We understand the logic. Lawyers cost money, right? Why bring one in if you don’t need to?
Except here’s the problem: evidence disappears fast.
Skid marks vanish after a few rainstorms. Security footage gets recorded over. Witnesses forget details or move. Cars get repaired or totaled. And Georgia gives you exactly two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Miss that deadline and your case is gone. You can’t sue even if you wanted to.
Meanwhile, the insurance company’s already working on their defense. They’ve got adjusters, investigators, and lawyers building a case against you from day one.
Getting a lawyer early doesn’t mean you’re being aggressive. It means you’re protecting yourself. At Brodie Law Group, initial injury consultations help you understand what your case is actually worth, what evidence needs to be preserved, and how to avoid getting steamrolled.
You’re not committing to anything by calling. You’re just getting information.
Mistake #7: Failing to Document the Scene
Police reports are useful, but they’re not perfect. Cops are busy. They might miss things. And they definitely don’t capture every angle, every detail, every piece of evidence that could help your case.
If you’re physically able to at the accident scene, use your phone. Take photos of everything:
- Every vehicle involved. Get multiple angles, close-ups of damage, license plates
- Road conditions like potholes, poor lighting, or confusing signs
- Traffic signals and their positions
- Skid marks, debris, broken glass
- Any visible injuries on yourself or passengers
Also grab contact info from witnesses. Get the other driver’s license and insurance card. Make notes about the weather, the time of day, how traffic was moving.
Think of yourself as a detective. The more you document now, the harder it is for someone to lie about what happened later.
FAQs About Car Accidents in Georgia
Do I have to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance?
No. You’re not required to, and you shouldn’t. Direct them to your lawyer.
Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Yes, under Georgia’s comparative negligence law, you can recover as long as you’re less than 50% at fault.
How long do I have to file a claim in Georgia?
Two years from the accident date (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). But don’t wait because cases take time to build.
Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself After a Georgia Car Accident
Car accidents are overwhelming, but mistakes like skipping medical care, apologizing, avoiding police, trusting insurers, posting online, delaying legal help, or failing to document are all preventable.
At Brodie Law Group, we represent injury victims across Georgia, including Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville and Dublin. We handle the insurance companies and the legal fight so you can focus on recovery.
Call us today at (478) 239-2780 to speak with a Macon Car Accident Lawyer, Warner Robins Car Accident Attorney, or Milledgeville Car Accident Lawyer. If your crash involved a commercial vehicle, talk with our experienced Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers.
