The Atlanta Police Department recently announced that it would no longer be responding to car accidents where no injuries are reported. This is a temporary measure, due to the coronavirus.
The APD made the announcement on July 30, 2020, via social media. They wrote, “to protect the health and safety of our staff and customers, and to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19, the Atlanta Police Department will not be dispatched to the scene of non-injury automobile accidents.”
If you are involved in a vehicle accident in the metro Atlanta area, the APD asks that you complete a SR-13 form, which can be found here. Burrow & Associates recommends that you print out the form and safely store it in your vehicle’s glove box, for future reference or in case you are involved in an accident in the near future.
So, what should you do if you’re involved in an accident where there are no immediate, apparent injuries? The personal injury team at Burrow & Associates recommends that you call 9-1-1 to report the accident; your call will be recorded. Next, if you are in a safe place, you should exit your vehicle and take photographs of the scene, including:
- All vehicles involved, especially the license plates
- Photos of the drivers and passengers involved
- The condition of the roadway
- Any damage to either vehicle
- Copies of the other drivers’ insurance information
Make sure that you’ve recorded all the information needed for the Atlanta Police Department’s SR-13 form.
Additionally, you may want to seek medical treatment following the accident. While someone might feel okay after a vehicle collision, they could be unaware of an underlying or developing issue. For example, soft tissue injuries (ex: bruises, sprains, muscle strains, stress fractures) can take between several hours to a few days to develop. It is better to be safe and get checked out by a medical professional.
Questions? Call the Personal Injury Attorneys at Burrow & Associates
If you have additional questions about the APD’s new policy and SR-13 form, or if you’ve been injured in an accident and need help with your personal injury case, please reach out to us at (678) 323-2394.