Mistakes legal experts say you need to avoid in the aftermath of a car crash

Whether a fender bender or serious crash, drivers involved in any kind of car wreck can experience shock and heightened emotions.

Legal experts say these at the big mistakes motorists often make after a vehicle wreck.

Reacting too quickly, causing more damage

With adrenaline rushing through the body during a crash, it is important to avoid panicking.

"Contact 911 and try to stay calm, that way the dispatchers can hear you and understand to what you're saying," a Columbia County (Georgia) Sheriff's Office spokesperson said. "Stay on the line with the dispatcher that way you can relay information the whole time until a law enforcement officer gets on scene."

If a driver immediately begins apologizing to the other party, they are opening themselves up to being deemed at fault for the crash, according to legal experts.

Regulating breathing and taking time to calm down helps drivers to better handle the situation.

Declining or avoiding medical assistance

Experts say drivers don't have to be involved in a extreme crash to receive medical assistance.

Experts advise those involved in a wreck to get checked out at the scene.

Those who decline immediate medical assistance could miss treating internal injuries or head trauma that can later cause problems.

Failing to gather evidence and information

Legal experts say the second most important priority, aside from health, should be getting evidence.

Taking pictures of all of the vehicles involved and any injuries at the scene will help with future insurance claims and criminal investigations.

While gathering evidence is important, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office said it is not necessary to keep cars in the roadway following a crash.

Under Georgia law, motorists must move their vehicles out of the roadway to create a safer environment.

"A lot of times, people argue with our dispatchers saying they will not move until the deputy gets there," a sheriff's office spokesperson said. "Especially if it happened at of our major intersections, we have traffic cameras so we can see what happened. ... It's a comforting piece of equipment because it avoids the argument about what actually happened."

If the vehicles cannot be moved due to damage, the sheriff's office said to turn on the hazard lights.

Experts also advise writing down the contact information of everyone at the scene, including any bystanders that may have witnessed the crash.

Not calling law enforcement

Georgia law requires all wrecks to be reported to law enforcement immediately via calling 911.

Deputies can gather evidence, contact witnesses, assess the road and take official pictures, according to experts.

By not calling the police, the at-fault driver could possibly get away.

Not filing the case soon enough

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for car crash claims is two years.

Experts say insurance companies may try to drag out the process, letting time run out before the claim is officially filed.

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Don't take the insurance company's word for it

Experts say insurance companies deny quality claims because the longer it takes to send payment, the more money they receive.

Hiring an injury lawyer to look over the claim can help drivers find out if they are getting a fair payment.

Experts also say the first offer from insurance companies is not the best, so continuing to pursue the case and ask for more is wise.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Most common mistakes Georgians make when they get into a wreck