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What to do after a hit-and-run accident in Georgia

Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. |
Injured pedestrian got hurt from hit and run accident.

Do this if you were in a hit-and-run crash in Georgia: Stop immediately. Call law enforcement and emergency services. While you wait for help to arrive, make notes about anything that could help police find the other vehicle and driver involved. Seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries you suffered in the crash. Talk to a Georgia car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, dealing with a hit-and-run accident isn’t easy. You may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about where to turn to seek the money you deserve for your losses. The legal team at the law firm of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., wants you to know the hit-and-run driver may have abandoned you, but we won’t. Our legal team is committed to helping you achieve justice.

Contact us now for a free and confidential claim review and find out how we can help you pursue maximum compensation from all available sources. You may have options even if the other driver is never found.

Should I Try to Catch the Hit-and-Run Driver?

Never under any circumstances should you attempt to pursue a hit-and-run driver. A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver hits a car, pedestrian, or property and then leaves the scene of the collision without exchanging information or rendering aid. If you chase after the hit-and-run driver, you also flee the collision scene. Attempting to chase the other hit-and-run offender could potentially open you to criminal charges of hit-and-run as well.

Drivers in Georgia are legally required to stay and assist others involved in an accident. Motorists are also required to remain at the scene of the crash. Not only are you protecting yourself from legal complications, but you are also protecting your health and safety. In the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash, adrenaline can mask the signs of significant injuries. Leaving the scene to chase after a reckless driver can aggravate your injuries and further endanger you and other motorists.

If you are in a hit-and-run accident, follow the law and protect yourself. Immediately pull over to a safe location and call the authorities. If you can, assist other injured victims and document the scene. Take notes on the hit-and-run vehicle’s make, model, and color. Record identifying stickers, marks, and body damage to the fleeing vehicle. Take notes about the license plate, even if you only got a partial number or just the state. Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Are There Different Types of Hit-and-Run Cases?

A hit-and-run accident can happen for various reasons. Sometimes the other driver is in an altered state and may not be aware they hit another vehicle. Other times, the driver may have such an overwhelming sense of anxiety that they panic and flee the scene, either to outrun the consequences of their actions or because they have a previous criminal history.

Some of the most common types of hit-and-run cases involve:

  • DUI
  • Uninsured drivers
  • Drivers with a suspended license
  • Drivers with a previous criminal history
  • Drivers with illegal weapons or drugs in their vehicle 
  • A collision that causes a fatality 

Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Georgia and can result in criminal and civil penalties.

Can I Recover Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Yes, pursuing compensation for a hit-and-run accident in Georgia is possible. First, check your car insurance policy to see if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Insurance companies must offer UM coverage, although you can reject this type of coverage in writing. UM coverage also protects you in case of a hit-and-run accident.

If you carry UM coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company seeking compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. It is best to get help from an experienced lawyer when pursuing a UM claim. Even though you are dealing with “your” insurance company, their interests are not the same as yours. They want to pay out as little as they can get away with. Our attorneys can fight for your right to maximum UM benefits.

Keep in close contact with law enforcement. If the authorities identify and catch the hit-and-run driver, you may pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the individual and seek compensation for your financial losses.

A civil lawsuit for compensation is separate from any criminal charges the hit-and-run driver may also face. A civil lawsuit allows you to pursue money for your losses. You only need to prove it is more likely than not that the individual caused the hit-and-run crash. A criminal case is different and may be brought against the hit-and-run driver by the state to determine guilt or innocence and levy punishment in the form of fines or jail time.

If you purchased optional medical payments (MedPay) coverage, you file a claim for your medical expenses against that policy. If you did not buy that type of insurance, you could run your medical expenses through your regular health insurance policy.

Discuss your situation with our experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys. We are ready to review your case and help you decide which avenue offers you the best chance of recovering the money you need. Numerous factors can influence which legal avenues may be open to you.

Is there a Time Limit for Filing a Hit-and-Run Case in Georgia?

You may file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation from a hit-and-run driver. However, you have limited time to file your case. Georgia gives individuals two years from the accident date to file a claim in court. If you file after the deadline passes, your case faces dismissal, and you’d lose your ability to seek compensation for your losses in court.

Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer

A hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling alone and vulnerable. What should you do after a hit-and-run accident? Where can you turn for answers? The legal team at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., can help you now. We know the challenges you face in recovering the money you deserve. Our team is ready to passionately pursue meaningful compensation for you so you can focus on what matters: the health of you and your family.

Learn more about your legal rights following a hit-and-run crash. Contact Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., to arrange for your free case evaluation. Our primary goal is to help you get back on your feet again.