What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

By bwhlawoffices | Updated on October 15, 2025

Image of a man on the phone after a car accident. He is rubbing his neck indicating whiplash or a neck injury.

Knowing what to do after a car accident can make a huge difference in your physical and financial recovery. After an accident in Macon, GA, it’s vital to stay calm, document the scene, seek medical care, and contact a trusted car accident lawyer, especially if there are injuries caused by another driver’s mistakes or negligence. Doing so will put you in the best position to receive the compensation you need to move forward and get back on the road.

Car accidents happen in an instant.

After the shock wears off and the dust settles, the aftermath can feel overwhelming as you tend to injuries, face vehicle damage, and navigate insurance claims. It’s easy and natural to feel unsure about what to do next. Knowing the proper steps to take after a crash can help you protect your health, your rights, and your ability to pursue fair compensation.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in or around Macon, GA, here’s what you should do immediately after the wreck:

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911

The very first step after a car wreck is to check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. If someone is hurt, even with minor injuries, call 911 right away. Emergency responders will assess each person, provide medical care when needed, and create an official patient care report.

Never assume injuries are “too small” to be reported. Some conditions, like concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries, may not show symptoms until hours or days later. Getting medical attention right away not only protects your health, but it also creates a record for a potential personal injury claim.

Step 2: Move to Safety (If Possible)

If your vehicle is blocking traffic and it’s safe to move it, pull to the side of the road. It’s also wise to turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If your car can’t be moved or your injuries are too severe to operate the car, it’s best to stay inside the vehicle until help arrives, unless remaining in the car is more dangerous. Use your best judgment a put your safety first.

Step 3: Call Law Enforcement

In Georgia, you are required to report accidents that cause injuries, deaths, or property damage over $500.

It’s critical to have the local police department, sheriff’s office, or the Georgia State Patrol file an official police report of the incident. This report provides an unbiased record of what happened, and it is a valuable resource for your insurance company or your legal team, should you file a claim.

Step 4: Exchange Information

If you are physically able, exchange important details with the other driver(s). Share your:

Name, address, and phone number
Driver’s license number
Insurance company and policy number
Vehicle make, model, and license plate number

And be sure to collect the same from the other driver.

Stay polite and calm, but never admit fault at the scene. Even casual remarks like “I’m sorry” can be used against you later. Stick to the facts and let investigators determine liability.

Step 5: Document the Accident Scene

Image of someone capturing a photo of a car wreck with their camera phone.

Evidence is a powerful tool for any car accident claim. Quality evidence helps the insurance companies, investigators, and your legal team piece together what happened and how the crash affected you.

If you’re physically able, use your smartphone or camera to capture:

Photos of vehicle damage from multiple angles
Skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs
Weather conditions at the time of the wreck
Photos of visible injuries

If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information, too. Witness statements are another form of evidence that provide valuable third-party perspectives for investigators, insurance companies, and your legal team.

Step 6: Seek Medical Attention

If you are injured, seek medical treatment right away. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt (or injured at all), always see a doctor after a wreck. As mentioned, certain injuries like damage to soft tissue or internal bleeding may not appear immediately but can lead to complications without proper treatment.

A prompt medical evaluation not only ensures your safety, but it may also strengthen a potential injury case. Insurance companies may argue that delayed medical treatment means the injuries weren’t serious. Don’t give them that opportunity to dismiss or downplay what you’re dealing with.

Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Stick to basic facts, like the time of the accident, location, and the type of accident. However, avoid giving detailed statements until you’ve spoken with your attorney. Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize payouts, and saying the wrong thing could harm your claim.

Step 8: Keep Records of Everything

From the moment the accident happens, keep a file of all documents and expenses collected, including all:

Medical bills and treatment records
Prescription receipts
Car repair estimates
Lost wages if you’re unable to work
Copies of police reports and insurance correspondence

Detailed records help your attorney build a strong case for compensation.

Step 9: Be Smart on Social Media

If you do file a personal injury claim after your car wreck, be very careful what you post to social media. Your activity on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and others following the accident can come into question. Whatever you post—from reels and stories to posts, photos, and check-ins—can be evidence for the insurance company to disprove your injury claims or minimize your damage.

For example, should you claim whiplash after a car accident, but you post a TikTok or reel of you doing the latest dance trend a few days after the wreck, insurance can use the video as evidence against you.

When it comes to protecting your personal injury case on social media check out these tips:

Avoid posting details about the car accident, your injuries, or your recovery journey.
Tell friends and family not to post anything about your case, your injuries, or your recovery process.
Untag yourself from incriminating posts.
Change your privacy settings on all your accounts from “public” to private.
Limit your activity on social media while your case is active.
Do not accept friend requests or follow requests from strangers or names you don’t recognize while your case is active.

When in doubt about your activity on social media, your best course of action is stay silent.

Step 10: Contact a Trusted Car Accident Lawyer in Macon, GA

One of the most important steps to take after a car accident is contacting a personal injury lawyer experienced in handling car accident claims, like those at Buzzell, Welsh & Hill in Macon, GA. A high-quality attorney will:

Investigate the accident and gather evidence
Handle communication with insurance companies
Calculate the full value of your damages (medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering)
Fight for fair compensation through negotiation or litigation

At Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, our attorneys have decades of experience representing car accident victims across Macon, Middle Georgia, and beyond. From speaking to insurance companies on your behalf to dealing with appropriate law enforcement offices, our team works tirelessly to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Hurt in a car accident in Macon, GA, or the Middle Georgia area? Call Buzzell, Welsh & Hill at 478-217-2072.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Macon, GA, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the recovery process as we protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call to tell us about your case today: 478-217-2072

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