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What should you do after a road accident in Georgia?

A driver's steps under Article 27 of the road traffic law.

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Short answer

After a road accident in Georgia, the driver must stop at once, switch on the hazard lights, report to the police and wait at the scene for an authorized officer. If nobody is hurt and the drivers agree on what happened, they may draw up a sketch, sign it and register it at the nearest patrol police unit. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance and give first aid.

How to drive in Georgia: rules and road signs faq-cover-cars-and-driving.png

Why

  1. Article 27 of the Law on Road Traffic sets the duties of a driver involved in an accident.
  2. The driver must not change the scene or destroy traces, and must record the names of witnesses (paragraph 1).
  3. If an injured person must be taken to hospital urgently, the driver may leave, show documents at the medical facility and return to the scene if possible (paragraph 3).

Details

Under Article 27(1), the driver stops the vehicle and does not move it, switches on the hazard lights, checks whether anyone is hurt, reports to the police without delay and stays until an authorized person arrives. If anyone is injured, the driver gives first aid and calls an ambulance. If an injured person must be taken urgently to the nearest hospital, the driver may do it personally.

Call 112 when police, an ambulance or rescue crews are needed (112.gov.ge). Other service numbers are collected on the page about emergency numbers in Georgia. For the insurance you will need when filing the accident, see car insurance.

Tip

Photograph the scene, the plates and the other driver's documents and note the witnesses' names: the law specifically requires recording witnesses.

What may differ

The simplified sketch works only when nobody is hurt and the parties agree on the circumstances. For a rented car and an insurance claim there are extra steps, which are set out in the rental contract and the policy.

Common misconception

After a minor accident drivers can just part ways if they agree verbally.

What actually happens

A verbal agreement is not enough: the law requires reporting to the police and staying at the scene, and with no injuries it allows a sketch signed by both drivers and then registered with patrol police (Article 27).

People also ask

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Sources

This answer is for reference and does not replace legal advice. If anyone is injured, call 112 at once.

How to drive in Georgia: rules and road signs