A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling helpless and unsure of what to do next. Whether the driver fled the scene without exchanging information or failed to offer assistance, these accidents can result in severe injuries, property damage, and emotional distress. You may feel angry, frustrated, and overwhelmed by the thought of handling medical bills, insurance claims, and legal issues, all while searching for the driver responsible for your injuries. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you’re facing, and we are committed to helping you seek justice. Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to hold the at-fault driver accountable, helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
Hit-and-run accidents are not just illegal—they can have devastating effects on victims and their families. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we take an aggressive approach to these cases, investigating every detail of the accident to identify the driver and fight for your rights. We’ll guide you through the legal process, standing by your side to ensure you get the financial support you need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With our dedicated legal team, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the complexities of your case.
Learn how an Atlanta car accident lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal rights after a hit-and-run accident. Call at (404) 888-8888 to get started with a free consultation.
What to Do After an Atlanta Hit-and-Run Accident
Being involved in a hit and run accident can be a traumatic experience. Knowing what steps to take after the accident can protect your rights and help build a strong case against the responsible driver.
Gather Information
Even though the other driver has fled the scene, there are still steps you can take to gather valuable information:
- Get witness statements: If there were any bystanders who saw the accident, try to get their contact information and a brief statement about what they saw.
- Note details of the fleeing vehicle: Try to remember any details about the car that hit you, such as its make, model, color, and, if possible, the license plate number.
- Photograph the scene: Take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle, debris, skid marks, and your injuries. This can serve as important evidence for your claim.
File a Police Report
Contact the police immediately after the accident. Filing a police report is essential for documenting the hit and run and ensuring that the authorities are involved in the search for the fleeing driver. Provide as much information as possible about the other vehicle and the circumstances of the crash. The police report will also be crucial when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine after the accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Injuries from car accidents, particularly head and spinal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Having medical documentation is also important for your case, as it provides evidence of your injuries and the treatment you’ve received.
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Write Down Everything You Remember
Take the time to write down everything you can remember regarding the accident. Ask yourself questions like:
- What was the color of the other car?
- Was it a 2-door or 4-door?
- Did it have any bumper stickers or unusual markings?
- Did it have any dents or missing parts?
Were you able to see what the driver looked like, or if there was a passenger in the vehicle?
Additionally, write down everything you can remember regarding the accident and how it occurred. This information can help your personal injury lawyer in Atlanta in an investigation and in a subsequent case if the other driver is located.
Keep Track of Your Medical Records and Expenses
If you suffered any injuries related to the hit-and-run accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. You will want to keep track of your treatment expenses, diagnoses, and other medical records related to the accident.
Even if you believe that you will not find the other driver and that you may not receive compensation for your injuries and losses, it is worthwhile to have these documents on-hand just in case. Types of injuries suffered following a hit-and-run accident may include:
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Internal organ damage.
- Internal bleeding.
- Aortic dissection.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Nerve damage.
- Paralysis.
- Neck and spine injuries.
- Whiplash.
- Lacerations.
- Burns and bruising.
In some cases, victims of serious accidents do not feel the extent of their injuries due to either shock or adrenaline. Make sure to keep track of any conditions or injuries that develop from the accident later on, as well as any long-term effects of the incident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
In the event that you cannot locate the driver who caused your accident, liability insurance cannot cover your damages. Therefore, in order to have the ability to receive compensation for your injuries and losses from your own insurance company after a hit-and-run accident, you would need uninsured motorist insurance coverage.
The State of Georgia does not require that you purchase this additional insurance. Every driver in the state has the option to purchase this type of insurance in case of hit-and-runs and accidents involving motorists without valid insurance. You will have to contact your insurance company in order to determine whether or not you purchased uninsured motorist insurance coverage in your policy.
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Legal Consequences of a Hit and Run in Georgia
In Georgia, hit and run accidents are taken very seriously. The law imposes severe penalties on drivers who leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information or offering help.
Criminal Penalties
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270), leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense. The severity of the penalties depends on the circumstances of the accident:
- Property damage only: If the hit and run resulted in property damage but no injuries, the driver can face misdemeanor charges, which carry fines, jail time of up to 12 months, and a potential driver’s license suspension.
- Injuries or fatalities: If the hit and run caused injuries or fatalities, the driver can be charged with a felony. Felony hit and run convictions can result in prison time of up to five years, hefty fines, and a lengthy driver’s license suspension.
Civil Liability
In addition to criminal penalties, a hit and run driver can be held civilly liable for the damages caused. Victims can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills: This includes emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical care needed due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
- Lost wages: If the injuries from the hit and run prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation may also be available for the physical and emotional pain caused by the accident, as well as the impact on your quality of life.
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Pursuing Compensation After an Atlanta Hit and Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, you may feel uncertain about how to pursue compensation, especially if the other driver is not immediately found. However, there are still options available to help you recover financially.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver cannot be located, one option for recovering compensation is through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage is designed to protect drivers in cases where the at-fault party does not have insurance or cannot be identified. If you have UM coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, it can help cover medical bills, property damage, and other losses resulting from the hit and run accident.
Identifying the Driver
Although hit and run drivers often flee to avoid responsibility, many are eventually identified through diligent investigation. Your attorney can work with law enforcement to review evidence, such as:
- Surveillance footage: Traffic cameras or nearby business security cameras may have captured footage of the accident or the fleeing vehicle.
- Witness testimony: Eyewitnesses can provide crucial details about the fleeing driver, such as the car’s make, model, or license plate number.
- Vehicle damage: Sometimes, debris from the fleeing vehicle, such as a broken headlight or paint transfer, can be used to trace the car involved in the accident.
By identifying the driver, you can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, holding them accountable for your damages.
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Filing an Uninsured/Underinsured Claim
If you suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company if you have uninsured motorist insurance coverage on your policy. Your insurance company will then conduct an investigation into the accident, and also contact any witnesses that were at the scene of the hit-and-run.
It is important to remember that an insurance company does not always have the best interests of their clients in mind as they conduct their investigations, make determinations regarding liability, and calculate compensation.
Negotiations with insurance companies can be difficult, complex, and adversarial. In some cases, saying one thing incorrectly or inadvertently can decrease the amount of compensation offered in a settlement. Some of the tactics insurance companies use include the following:
- Requesting to tape or record official conversations in some way
- Requesting full documentation of complete medical records
- Attempting to manipulate a conversation to have a victim indicate some negligence of fault regarding the accident
- Asking seemingly innocent questions such as “How are you?” and if a victim responds “Fine” or “OK,” using those answers to decrease the amount of a settlement offer due to an indication that they were not seriously injured
Learn how an Atlanta hit-and-run accident lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf in order to receive a fair and just settlement. Contact the firm at (404) 888-8888.
Learn How an Atlanta Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be an overwhelming experience. Additionally, if you suffered injuries or losses as a result of a head-on collision, learn how the attorneys at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal rights, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and work to obtain a fair and just settlement. Contact us today at (404) 888-8888 or visit online to connect with our legal team.
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