The Ladder in the Live Lane on I-285
At 5:10 p.m. on a Friday, you are in the center lane of I-285 in Atlanta. Traffic is moving at 15 mph. A box truck two cars ahead drops an aluminum ladder. You cannot stop in time, hit the ladder, and your car stalls in the center lane. Your front bumper is hanging, the airbags did not deploy, and you smell gasoline but see no smoke or fire. Your passenger, who is 8 months pregnant, says she has mild cramping but no bleeding. The truck does not stop; it continues south. Another driver pulls onto the left shoulder and says he photographed the truck's logo and plate. Your phone battery is at 4%. The left shoulder is narrow, and traffic is passing on the right.
1. Must you report this crash, and to whom? What are your duties regarding the truck that left?
Read the worked answer
Yes. Georgia requires a driver involved in a crash that causes injury, death, or property damage above the statutory threshold to stop and report it. Here there is likely property damage over $500 and a possible injury, so call 911 and request police and emergency medical service for the pregnant passenger. Remain at the scene and exchange information with the other involved parties. The truck driver who left may have committed hit-and-run if the driver knew or should have known about the crash. Give the witness's photo and plate information to the officer, and report the crash to your insurer. Do not chase the truck.
2. How should you handle the witness and the physical evidence at the scene?
Read the worked answer
Ask the witness for a name, phone number, and a copy or air-drop of the photo. Ask the witness to stay until police arrive if it is safe to do so. Take your own photos of the ladder, your bumper, the lane position, and the truck's plate if visible in the photo. Note the time, lane, and direction of travel. Do not move the ladder unless it is necessary to prevent another crash or to get to safety. Preserve your phone battery by limiting calls and using text or a witness's phone. The goal is to give the officer enough information to identify the truck while keeping everyone out of traffic.