Council & Associates September 2018

CAR ACCIDENT What to Do After a

HELPFUL STEPS FOR GEORGIA DRIVERS

Getting into a car accident is nobody’s idea of a good time. It’s stressful, chaotic, and can result in serious injuries. All of the commotion and adrenaline can lead you to make bad decisions in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Taking the right steps after you’re in an accident is crucial to getting you what you deserve in the event of an injury or property damage. These four tips can help make the moments after an accident less stressful. 1. Stay at the scene. Georgia law states that if you can move your car safely out of oncoming traffic, you should do so. Beyond that, you’ll want to stay as close to the site of the accident as possible. Fleeing the scene may cross your mind in a moment of panic, but DON’T DO IT. It will only lead to fault for the accident being placed on you. You could also face criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident. 2. Exchange important information. Even if your accident is the tiniest of fender-benders,

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? Listen to your body. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. Wake up naturally. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. Kick the screen habit. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time. HOW TO ACHIEVE A MORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP

you’ll want to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved.

Everything may seem fine with your car, but you won’t really know until it is thoroughly inspected. Without the other driver’s information, it will be nearly impossible to track them down. 3. Report the accident.

You must report any accident that involves injuries or damages totaling more than $500 to Georgia law enforcement. It’s best to err on the side of caution if you are unsure

about whether or not to file a police report. For smaller accidents, you can file a Personal Report of Accident form, available on the Georgia DMV website. 4. Seek medical attention. The same rule applies here as with the police report. If you think there’s even a tiny chance you’re hurt, get yourself checked out. Not seeking medical attention can hurt your chances of receiving full compensation

if you’re injured.

Call us. Council & Associates has years of experience handling auto accident cases, and we are happy to provide a free review of your case. Call us at (404) 526-8857 to see how we can help.

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