How to Recover from a Hit and Run

By Grant Law Office on July 14, 2020

Being involved in a car accident is stressful, and even more so when the other driver flees the scene of the accident. The at-fault driver should compensate you for any bodily injury or property damage suffered in the accident. But how do you pursue a claim when the other driver leaves without providing contact and insurance information? Your options can depend on your auto insurance coverage.

What Are Your Options If You Have Been Involved in a Hit and Run?

Georgia is among the U.S. states that do not have no-fault insurance laws. Under our fault-based insurance system, your options for recovering compensation after a hit and run accident are:

Track down the at-fault driver and file a claim to recover compensation for your losses: If the accident caused bodily injury, police would investigate to locate the hit and run driver. Any information you can provide could help the investigation. This may include a description of the at-fault driver’s vehicle (make, model, and color), a description of the driver, a full or partial license plate number, information provided by an eyewitness to the accident, surveillance video footage, and pictures of the scene of the accident.

Recover compensation under your uninsured motorist coverage: If you are involved in a car accident caused by a hit and run driver and have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company should cover your losses as it would if the hit and run driver was uninsured.

What Should You Do If Your Insurance Company Is Less Than Helpful?

Auto insurance companies are in business for profit and primarily concerned with their bottom line. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, but your insurance company fails to compensate you for your losses promptly after a hit and run accident, your best course of action is to speak with a lawyer for assistance in resolving your claim. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys are skillful negotiators and experienced litigators who can deal effectively with the insurance company on your behalf.

What Is the Law Concerning Hit and Run in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, any driver involved in an accident causing bodily injury or property damage must immediately stop at the scene of the crash. That driver must:

• Provide his or her name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license (upon request) to the other party;
• Render aid to any person injured in the accident, including transporting that person to receive medical assistance, if necessary;
• Make every reasonable effort to contact emergency medical services and local law enforcement if someone injured in the accident is unconscious, appears to be deceased, or is unable to communicate; and
• Remain at the scene of the accident until all these legal requirements have been fulfilled.

If the accident causes death or serious injury, hit and run is charged as a felony with penalties including one to five years in prison. If it causes only minor injuries or property damage, hit and run is charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to one year of jail time and fines.

Why Choose the Grant Law Office After a Hit and Run Accident?

Attorney Wayne Grant has been practicing law since 1979. Kimberly Grant, the other half of our husband and wife legal team, has been practicing since 1993. We provide aggressive personal injury legal representation, with a history of success for our clients. If you have been hurt in a hit and run accident, call us at (404) 995-3955,.