There are few things more cowardly than a hit-and-run accident, especially when innocent victims are left injured and unable to get the help they so desperately need. Even when you can obtain medical care in a timely manner following the accident, the fact that the offender left you completely responsible for your financial, physical, and mental wellbeing after the accident is a grave injustice.
Fortunately, the field of personal injury law can help you get the compensation you deserve after such a needless tragedy, potentially covering losses like:
- Physical suffering
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Lost wages
- And more
If you decide to retain a Norcross hit-and-run accident lawyer, we will do everything in our legal power to hold the liable parties accountable for their reckless actions.
Our personal injury attorneys will work to build your case with these injustices in mind, ultimately fighting to get you back on your feet and moving in a positive direction.
If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to recover damages related to any financial, physical, and mental losses.
To learn more, contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation at (678) 201-0953. Our personal injury law firm can be there with you every step of the way.
The Unfortunate Frequency of Hit-and-Run Accidents
According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run accidents in 2015. That equals a hit-and-run crash about every 43 seconds around the United States. Knowing these statistics, it should come as no surprise that these senseless accidents resulted in approximately 138,500 injuries that year.
Unfortunately, these dangerous crashes are not going away. In 2016, there were over 2,000 fatalities from hit-and-run accidents, the largest amount of deaths ever recorded.
Thankfully, Georgia has laws in place to protect victims in these cases, allowing you to take legal action against your aggressor. In fact, some victims are even eligible to receive punitive damages, which are awarded in egregious cases of recklessness as a means of punishing the offender. As a result, these unique damages send a much-needed warning to the public.
The better people understand the consequences of their actions, the safer Norcross will be.
For a free legal consultation with a hit-and-run accidents lawyer serving Norcross, call (404) 888-8888
Georgia Law Surrounding Hit-and-Run Accidents
As detailed in state law O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, the following circumstances require a driver to stop after being involved in an accident:
- The accident caused an injury to another party
- The accident resulted in the death of another person
- The accident resulted in vehicle damage
However, simply having the courtesy to stop does not qualify as following the law. Drivers owe it to the other party to provide the following services:
- Giving their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle they are driving.
- If asked to present it, assuming that it is readily available, the driver must show their driver’s license to anyone involved with the vehicle they hit.
- They must provide reasonable assistance in the seeking of medical attention for any party who is injured. This includes driving them to a medical care facility or otherwise arranging for them to be taken to a hospital within the best of their ability.
- If the accident victim is rendered unconscious, or is otherwise disposed and unable to help themselves, the driver must make reasonable efforts to contact emergency medical services and local law enforcement so they can report the accident and better assist the injured party.
Norcross Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Criminal and Civil Repercussions for Hit-and-Run Drivers
Hit-and-run accidents are different from offenses like aggressive driving, for example, because they can be treated as both a serious crime and a traffic violation, depending on the severity of the act in question. Accordingly, the respective charges may result in a range of criminal penalties under Georgia law.
If there are no injuries to the victim, the hit-and-run is seen as a misdemeanor. However, if the victim sustains serious injuries, including death, the offense becomes a felony that may result in hefty fines and multiple years in prison.
In civil cases, the criminal charge does not matter. However, the severity of the driver’s negligence can play a role in the amount of compensation you are awarded. This is where punitive damages may factor into the judgment if the court sees fit.
Unlike many other states, Georgia has no limits on the amount of compensation you can receive for most damages. In accordance with O.C.G.A § 51-12-5.1, punitive damages are the only form of compensation with a monetary limit, capping out at $250,000, with 75% being paid into the state treasury. More intricate details surrounding the treasury payment will depend on the judge’s unique stipulations.
A Norcross hit-and-run accident lawyer may be able to help you better understand how damages are calculated in our state, including the use of multipliers by attorneys.
To learn more about the laws that govern hit-and-run claims in Georgia, contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation at (678) 201-0953.
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Contact the Office of a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney for Help Today
Barring an unforeseen medical event that caused the accident, the liable parties in hit-and-run cases are displaying a blatant disregard for the safety of their fellow man. When people’s lives hang in the balance, there is no excuse for this sort of self-centered behavior.
As such, a Norcross hit-and-run accident lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers will take the time to give your case the attention it deserves. If an accident has negatively affected your life in any way, we can fight to right the wrongs of the liable parties.
Before you make any decisions about your potential legal case, it should be noted that Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims – as detailed in state law O.C.G.A § 9-3-33. Knowing this, it may be better to act sooner, rather than later.
To get started today, contact our personal injury law firm for your free consultation at (678) 201-0953.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form