One of the most important issues in an auto accident case is fault. Determining who was at fault for the accident can make the difference between settling a case and taking a case to trial. The most common cause of auto accidents is human error. Human error is a catch-all phrase which includes:

• Distracted Driving;
• Driver Fatigue;
• Speeding;
• Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol;
• Aggressive Driving; and
• Ignoring Traffic Control Devices and Traffic Signs.

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According to a 2008 report from the Georgia Department of Transportation, between 2000 and 2006, over six million people were involved in auto accidents in Georgia, either as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian.  During that same time period, over one million people were injured in Georgia auto accidents and 11,345 people lost their lives in traffic accidents.

What To Do At the Accident Scene

If you’re involved in an auto accident, Georgia law requires you to stop.  This is true even in minor traffic accidents.  If possible, you should move your car off the road so as not endanger other drivers.  You should also:

• Assist the injured;
• Call the police;
• Identify the other driver and get his name, address, phone number, year, make, and model of his car, and his insurance information;
• Obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses;
• Take notes about the accident and draw a diagram showing the position of the vehicles before the crash and after the crash;
• Take photos of the accident scene; and
• Don’t admit fault to anyone at the scene, including the police officers.

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