The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) reports that there is one hit-and-run accident every minute in the United States. These accidents cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries on an annual basis, leading to significant medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and other damages to the victims.
Hit-and-run accidents can be difficult to handle, because the at-fault party is often not identifiable. A single accident can lead to losses and damages in the tens of thousands of dollars, and if you do not have an uninsured motorist policy to cover your hit-and-run accident, you may have to shoulder these expenses and losses yourself.
For assistance with exploring your legal options in a hit-and-run accident case, please contact a Savannah hit-and-run accident lawyer with the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team. You can reach our office at (404) 888-8888.
Understanding Hit-and-Run Accidents
Any accident in which a driver causes a collision and leaves the scene without providing his or her insurance and contact details with the affected parties is classified as a hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-run accidents can occur between:
- A driver and a pedestrian or a bicyclist.
- Two moving vehicles.
- A moving vehicle and a stationary vehicle.
- A vehicle and roadside property or fixtures.
Reasons for Hit-and-Run Accidents
There are many reasons drivers who cause an accident may leave the scene without notifying the victim or providing insurance information, which is a legal requirement. Most likely, the driver may not have insurance coverage to pay for your damages. The Insurance Information Institute (III) found that 12% of drivers in Georgia were uninsured in 2015. Uninsured drivers may have more reason to flee the scene of an accident than insured drivers.
Georgia requires you to file accident claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance. Without this coverage, a driver may be left open to a personal injury lawsuit. Many drivers may flee the scene rather than facing such a lawsuit or having to pay your damages out-of-pocket. Alternately, the driver in a hit-and-run may have:
- Been illegally using the vehicle.
- Had an expired license.
- Have prior convictions for traffic offenses that could result in jail time.
- Been underage or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The circumstances above can lead to additional consequences. As such, a driver may flee the scene to avoid a ticket or criminal charges in addition to paying for your damages.
For a free legal consultation with a hit-and-run accidents lawyer serving Savannah, call (404) 888-8888
Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents can be as dangerous as any other type of accident, and they can lead to similar injuries and damages. Injuries and damages that are commonly seen in hit-and-run accidents are as follows:
- Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs
- Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage
- Organ damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Vehicle and/or property damage
- Lost income
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses
- Ambulance fees
- Higher insurance premiums
What makes hit-and-run accidents somewhat more stressful and worrisome than other accident types for the victims is the issue of compensation. In the absence of an at-fault party to file a claim against, it may be more difficult for you to handle the cost of recovery.
A Savannah hit-and-run accident lawyer may be able to help you uncover evidence to locate the driver from your hit-and-run accident so you can pursue the compensation you deserve. The Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team may also help you handle an uninsured driver insurance claim with your own insurance company. Call us at (404) 888-8888 to learn more.
Savannah Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Hit-and-Run Insurance Coverage
Georgia is an at-fault state. If you ever suffer an accident of any kind, the party or parties responsible for the accident will likely owe you compensation through their insurance.
To file a claim, you must identify the at-fault party, gather accident evidence to support your claim, and submit your evidence and your claim to the at-fault party’s insurer. If you cannot reach a fair settlement agreement, a judge or jury can review the specifics of your case as well as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit.
With hit-and-run accidents, however, you will need to explore other avenues of compensation if there is no at-fault party against whom you can file a claim. For example, you may resort to filing a claim with your uninsured motorist policy or personal injury policy to cover your losses, depending on the type of damage and the injuries involved.
You may also use a home insurance policy if your home or some of your personal property were damaged in a hit-and-run collision.
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Seeking Legal Assistance from a Savannah Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
It can be difficult to identify compensable damages, evaluate losses, gather evidence, and handle insurance adjusters if you were injured in an auto accident. Handling an insurance claim without knowing who the at-fault party is can complicate matters even further.
Do not need to give up on recovering compensation after a hit-and-run collision. The Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team may be able to assist you. We handle personal injury cases—including hit-and-run auto accident cases—and may be able to help you:
- Gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
- Evaluate your losses and damages.
- Handle your insurance company.
- Negotiate a settlement based on your uninsured motorist policy, if applicable.
- Handle incidental expense claims such as car rentals or service fees, as applicable.
Do not hesitate to contact us today at (404) 888-8888. We can get started on your case after you complete a free consultation with one of our team members.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
