Get safe and call 911. If you can, move out of traffic. Then check on everyone involved. Get medical care. Let paramedics check you, and see a doctor within 24–72 hours even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash and concussions, can take days to show up. Report the accident. Georgia law requires you to report any crash that causes injury, death or significant property damage. Get the officer’s name and the report number. Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, your injuries, the road conditions and any traffic signs. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance details and license plate number. Also get contact information for any witnesses. Don’t admit fault. Stick to the facts, because even a polite “I’m sorry” can be used against you later. Be careful with insurance companies. Notify your own insurer, but don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer or sign anything before you talk to an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer. Georgia generally gives you two years to file a claim, but evidence disappears fast. A lawyer can protect your rights while you focus on recovering.

Every case is different. Value depends on how serious your injuries are, your medical bills, your lost income, how long you’ll need to recover, and how the injury affects your daily life. Insurance policy limits also play a role. Be wary of anyone who quotes a number before reviewing your records.

Simple claims can settle in a few months. Cases with serious injuries, disputed fault or a lawsuit can take a year or more. Most attorneys recommend waiting until you’ve finished treatment before you settle, so the full cost of your injury is known before you accept an offer.

Yes. Georgia is an at-fault (tort) state, so the driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for the damages. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, with your own insurer, or file a lawsuit directly against the driver.

In most cases, Georgia gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Claims involving a city, county or state government have much shorter notice deadlines, some as short as six months. Don’t wait. Missing a deadline can end your case completely.