What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia: Step-by-Step Checklist (2026)

# What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia: Your Complete Checklist

> **QUICK SUMMARY — After an accident in Georgia:**
> 1. Check for injuries and call 911
> 2. Move to safety
> 3. Exchange information — do not admit fault
> 4. Document the scene (critical under Georgia’s 50% fault bar)
> 5. Report if $500+ damage (within 10 days)
> 6. Notify your insurance company
> 7. Seek medical attention

Georgia has the 4th highest accident count in the US (~387,000/year). Under Georgia’s strict **50% fault bar**, being assigned half or more of the blame means losing your entire claim. Thorough documentation is your best protection.

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## Step 1 — Check for Injuries and Call 911

– Check yourself and passengers
– Call 911 if anyone is hurt
– Do not move seriously injured people unless there is immediate danger
– Georgia law requires stopping and rendering aid

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## Step 2 — Move to Safety

– Move vehicles to the shoulder or parking lot if safe and drivable
– Turn on hazard lights
– Stay out of traffic lanes

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## Step 3 — Exchange Information

Collect from the other driver:
– Full name, contact info, driver’s license number
– Insurance company and policy number
– License plate number, vehicle details

Get witness names and phone numbers.

**Do not admit fault.** Under Georgia’s 50% bar (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), if you are assigned 50% or more fault, you recover nothing.

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## Step 4 — Document Everything

Georgia’s strict fault rule makes evidence critical.

**Photos and videos:**
– All vehicle damage (multiple angles)
– Road conditions, traffic signs, signals, skid marks
– License plates, weather conditions
– Your injuries

**Write down:** Time, date, location, and your detailed account.

**Dashcam:** If you have dashcam footage, preserve it immediately.

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## Step 5 — File a Report

### When Required
– Property damage exceeds **$500**
– Anyone is injured or killed

### Deadline
Georgia gives you **10 days** — the longest reporting window among major states. But do not wait. File as soon as possible while details are fresh.

### How
– Call 911 at the scene for an official police report
– File with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) if needed

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## Step 6 — Notify Your Insurance Company

– Contact your insurer promptly
– Stick to facts, do not speculate about fault
– Georgia is a **fault state** — the at-fault driver’s insurance pays
– If you have UM/UIM coverage, it protects you if the other driver is uninsured

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## Step 7 — Seek Medical Attention

– See a doctor even if you feel fine
– Delayed-symptom injuries: whiplash, concussions, internal injuries
– Medical records are essential for linking injuries to the accident

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## Your Rights Under Georgia Law

– **Fault state:** At-fault driver pays
– **Modified 50% bar:** At 50%+ fault, you recover nothing (stricter than TX/FL’s 51%)
– **Statute of limitations:** 2 years for PI, 4 years for PD
– **Minimum insurance:** 25/50/25
– **Hands-free law:** Using phone while driving can affect fault determination

Full guide: [Georgia Car Accident Laws](/georgia/car-accident-laws/)

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## What NOT to Do

– Do not leave the scene
– Do not admit fault (especially important with the 50% bar)
– Do not post on social media
– Do not accept the first settlement offer
– Do not skip medical treatment
– Do not use your phone while driving — Georgia’s hands-free law violations can increase your assigned fault

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### How is Georgia’s fault rule different from other states?
Georgia’s **50% bar** is stricter. If you are exactly 50% at fault, you get nothing. In Texas or Florida (51% bar), you would still recover at 50% fault.

### How long do I have to report?
**10 days** for the DDS report. But file a police report at the scene if possible.

### How long to file a lawsuit?
**2 years** for personal injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).

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## Related Guides

– [How to File an Insurance Claim in Georgia](/georgia/insurance-claim/)
– [Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Georgia?](/georgia/do-i-need-a-lawyer/)
– [Georgia Car Accident Laws](/georgia/car-accident-laws/)

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**DISCLAIMER:** This website is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general educational information only. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. This is not medical advice. If you have been injured, seek immediate medical attention. Last updated: March 2026.