[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/what-happens-when-you-are-at-fault-for-a-car-accident\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/what-happens-when-you-are-at-fault-for-a-car-accident\/","headline":"What Happens When You Are at Fault for a Car Accident?","name":"What Happens When You Are at Fault for a Car Accident?","description":"Does the insurance company say you\u2019re at fault for a car accident? You\u2019re probably worried about what to do next, especially if you\u2019re left with expensive medical bills and other losses. But don\u2019t give up hope. Depending on the circumstances, you could still be entitled to compensation in Georgia.\u00a0 On...","datePublished":"2022-08-25","dateModified":"2025-06-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/puttingpeoplefirst\/#Person","name":"Underwood Law LLC","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/puttingpeoplefirst\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bbcb6205a3d1f6a31659220b0b5f3faafdc2850d6a558e85ff3f28182ee73ad1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bbcb6205a3d1f6a31659220b0b5f3faafdc2850d6a558e85ff3f28182ee73ad1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Underwood Law LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/William-F-Underwood-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/William-F-Underwood-Logo.png","width":448,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Burn-Injuries-in-Albany-GA.png","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Burn-Injuries-in-Albany-GA.png","height":800,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/what-happens-when-you-are-at-fault-for-a-car-accident\/","about":["Car Accident"],"wordCount":581,"articleBody":"Does the insurance company say you\u2019re at fault for a car accident? You\u2019re probably worried about what to do next, especially if you\u2019re left with expensive medical bills and other losses. But don\u2019t give up hope. Depending on the circumstances, you could still be entitled to compensation in Georgia.\u00a0On this page, the personal injury attorneys at Underwood Law LLC explain what happens when you are responsible for a car crash in the Peach State.\u00a0What Happens If You Are at Fault for a Car Accident?Always contact an experienced car accident attorney if the insurance company claims you are at fault for a crash. Determining the cause of an accident is more complicated than it seems. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate the collision and identify everyone who should be held liable. Georgia law may allow you to obtain compensation even if you share responsibility for a crash, but the facts matter.\u00a0\u00a0You can help your case by:\u00a0Staying at the accident scene \u2013 Georgia law requires every driver involved in an accident to stop and exchange insurance information with the other driver(s) and help anyone who suffers injuries. Fleeing the scene could lead to criminal charges, complicating your claim.\u00a0Calling 911 \u2013 Summon law enforcement to the crash site. When the police arrive, answer their questions but do not admit fault for the crash, even if you suspect your actions led to the collision. Anything you say could be put in a police report and used against you if you seek compensation from the other driver. Moreover, an investigation may reveal you were not entirely at fault.\u00a0 \u00a0 Notify your auto insurance company \u2013 Insurance companies require policyholders to report accidents within a specific timeframe. Check your policy for the deadline. You don\u2019t need to make an official statement to your insurer about the cause of the accident. A lawyer can handle that.\u00a0If you are at fault, your insurance company should cover the costs of the other driver\u2019s medical bills and related expenses up to your policy limits. But expect challenges to your claim. They\u2019re common.What Happens If I\u2019m Partially at Fault?\u00a0\u00a0In most states, the driver who causes a car accident is liable for the other driver\u2019s injuries and related losses. But sometimes, more than one party is to blame.\u00a0Georgia is a fault state, meaning both parties have a chance of recovering compensation after a traffic collision. It uses a legal doctrine called the modified comparative negligence rule to assign blame in cases of shared fault.\u00a0The law states claimants must be less than 50 percent at fault to recover compensation. Even one percentage point higher is enough to prevent you from receiving any money. With such high stakes, it\u2019s smart to get a car accident attorney on your side.\u00a0Compensation for LossesCompensation in a Georgia car accident case can include money for losses such as:\u00a0Medical expensesLost wagesLost earning potential\u00a0Damaged propertyPain and sufferingLost quality of lifeContact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer for HelpHave you been involved in an accident that you believe was your fault? Before talking to the insurance company, discuss your case with an experienced car accident attorney at Underwood Law LLC Contact us today for a free consultation.Useful articles:What happens when you are at fault for a car accidentCar Accident Settlement Process and Timeline in GeorgiaWhat to do after a minor car accident in Georgia"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Happens When You Are at Fault for a Car Accident?","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/what-happens-when-you-are-at-fault-for-a-car-accident\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]