roadwise.Open study app

Georgia driving lesson · Crashes and Traffic Stops

At the scene of a crash

A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Crashes and Traffic Stops
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
51

Even a minor crash brings legal duties. Georgia requires you to stop, report serious crashes, help the injured and exchange information. Staying calm and following these steps protects you and everyone else involved.

If you're involved in a crash:

  • Stop immediately in a safe place
  • Notify police right away if anyone is injured or killed, or if damage exceeds $500
  • Give reasonable help to anyone who is injured
  • Warn approaching drivers if it's safe: hazard lights, and reflective triangles if available
  • Give your name, address, plate number and license number to others involved; get theirs
Handbook p. 51 ↗
$500

Property damage above this must be reported to law enforcement immediately

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

If you damage an unattended vehicle, find the owner, or leave your name, address and the name of the owner of the vehicle you were driving in a conspicuous place where the owner will find it.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Aiding the injured:

  • Don't assume someone isn't hurt just because they say so
  • Send for professional help as soon as possible; unskilled handling can worsen injuries
  • Don't move or lift a victim unless absolutely necessary; if you must, keep them as found
  • Stop serious bleeding with thick, clean cloth pads pressed by hand
  • Keep the victim warm with blankets or coats if needed
Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

Georgia's Good Samaritan Law holds anyone harmless for civil damages resulting from an act or omission while giving emergency care.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Put it into practice

You back into a parked car in an empty lot. Find the owner, or leave a note in a conspicuous place with your name, address and the name of the owner of the car you were driving.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Above what dollar amount of property damage must you notify law enforcement after a crash?
  1. $250.00
  2. $100.00
  3. $1,000.00
  4. $500.00

Answer: $500.00

You must notify the nearest law enforcement agency if property damage exceeds $500.00, or if anyone is injured or killed.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What should you do immediately after being involved in a crash?
  1. Drive to the nearest police station before stopping
  2. Wait until you reach your destination to report it
  3. Stop immediately in a safe place
  4. Continue driving if traffic is heavy

Answer: Stop immediately in a safe place

The first step after a crash is to stop immediately in a safe place.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
If you damage an unattended vehicle and cannot locate the owner, what must you do?
  1. Wait at the scene for up to 24 hours
  2. Leave your name, address and your vehicle owner's name
  3. Call your insurance company; no note is needed
  4. Leave only your phone number on the windshield

Answer: Leave your name, address and your vehicle owner's name

You must locate the owner or leave your name, address and the name of the owner of the vehicle you were driving in a conspicuous place.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What does Georgia's Good Samaritan Law protect a person from?
  1. All criminal liability for any act at a crash scene
  2. Traffic citations issued at the scene
  3. Civil damages for giving emergency care
  4. Liability for causing the original crash

Answer: Civil damages for giving emergency care

The Good Samaritan Law holds a person harmless for civil damages from acts or omissions while rendering emergency care.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What information must you exchange with others involved in a crash?
  1. Nothing unless a police officer is present
  2. Only your insurance company's phone number
  3. Name, address, plate number and license number
  4. Your name and phone number only

Answer: Name, address, plate number and license number

You must give your name, address, license plate number, and driver's license number to others involved, and get the same from them.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
Should you assume a person involved in a crash is uninjured simply because they say so?
  1. Yes, take their word for it
  2. No; send for professional help
  3. Yes, unless they are unconscious
  4. Only if they are standing up

Answer: No; send for professional help

Do not assume a person is not injured simply because they say so; send for professional help as soon as possible.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Crashes and Traffic Stops

All Georgia lessons