Auto accidents are common, but a motorist is expected to pull over and exchange insurance information if they cause one.
A hit-and-run accident happens when the negligent motorist flees the scene of a crash. They may do this for many reasons, but regardless, the act is prohibited by law.
A driver who commits a hit-and-run may face additional consequences beyond civil liability. An auto accident can leave the victim with serious injuries and expensive bills, so when a driver runs from their responsibility, it can be detrimental to an entire family’s finances.
A lawyer can provide support throughout the delicate process of recovering from a hit-and-run accident. Your attorney will help you weigh your options for financial recovery, representing you along the journey.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is a trusted Georgia firm with Dalton attorneys ready to help you after your hit and run. The first step is meeting for an initial consultation to break down the details of your case and discuss your options for recovering compensation.
Schedule a free case review with a Dalton personal injury law firm today when you call (706) 307-4676 or contact us online.
A Dalton Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Advocate for You Through the Process of Damage Recovery
Recovering from a hit-and-run accident can be more complex than managing the aftermath of a traditional crash because of the added challenge of finding the negligent driver.
During this stressful time, an attorney can represent the victim of the crash by:
- Communicating with insurance companies: While law enforcement attempts to find the other driver, your attorney may begin the process of finding alternate routes of damage recovery. Your own insurance coverage may be useful in recovering from a hit-and-run, so your attorney will work diligently to check the viability of each avenue for recovery. Once the responsible driver is found, another insurance claim will be necessary, and your attorney can speak on your behalf again.
- Preserving evidence: Hit-and-run accidents can be more time-consuming because of the additional time it takes to find the liable party, and in that time invaluable evidence could be lost. An attorney can promptly obtain important data like surveillance footage and black box data before it’s too late.
- Negotiating liens and medical bills: Even though the process of finding the liable party after a hit and run takes time and patience, the bill collectors may not be so lenient. Your attorney can work with debt collectors to minimize the burden of liens and bills while you search for the negligent driver.
- Working with law enforcement: Your attorney will be in close contact with local law enforcement to stay consistently updated about the case. They can also speak on your behalf during certain conversations with the assigned officer so you don’t have to constantly relive the experience. The legal partnership between your attorney and the local police department can be efficient in tracking down the liable party.
- Emotional support: It can be relieving to know that a team of experienced professionals is working exhaustively to move your case along. An attorney can provide legal guidance when decisions need to be made and act as a support system for questions or pressing concerns.
Why Do People Hit and Run?
According to AAA, the rate of hit-and-run accidents has steadily increased by 7.2% since 2009. Even though it is against the law to flee the scene of an accident, many motorists may still take the risk.
Hit-and-run accidents happen for many reasons, including:
- Lack of proper insurance/licensing: If a motorist believes that they cannot afford the cost of the damage they caused, they may flee the scene of the accident. In Georgia, all drivers are required to have liability insurance, so a driver who is not following this regulation may be nervous about additional fines. Moreover, drivers without proper licensing may also flee because they face repercussions, such as suspension of the ability to obtain a license in the future.
- Fear of consequences: Hitting another vehicle can result in civic liabilities, increased insurance premiums, or even criminal charges. Each of these consequences will affect the negligent driver in some way, so they may feel tempted to run from the responsibility altogether.
- Impaired driving: A driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not have the same clarity that they do when sober. An impaired driver has affected judgment and decision-making skills, which can cause reckless actions like running from the scene of an accident. A drunk driver may also feel nervous about stopping because of their inebriated condition.
- Panic: When we feel threatened, flight or fight responses will kick in to protect us from the immediate danger that the brain believes the body is in. In a hit-and-run case, the negligent driver may flee out of instinct because of panic or fear of their actions.
- Criminal history: Someone with a criminal history may run from an accident because they do not want to be found by the police. In this case, the negligent driver could add multiple charges to their sentence, such as evading arrest, fleeing the scene of a crash, and reckless driving.
- Unaware of collision: It is unlikely, but there are situations where the liable driver may not realize that they have just been in an accident. If the motorist is heavily inebriated or distracted by something like loud music, they may brush off a collision as a bump in the road or unrelated noise. You can use flashers and the car horn to alert the driver of the accident.
What Are the Legal Repercussions for a Motorist Who Hits Another Car and Runs?
In Georgia, causing an accident and abruptly leaving the scene is a criminal offense, and can result in a variety of consequences from fines to jail time.
If the accident did not result in any serious damage, a misdemeanor charge, fines, probationary action, or a combination of said repercussions may apply. At most, a misdemeanor charge will result in up to a year of prison time.
A hit and run is considered a felony if it results in serious injuries or death. So, in addition to traditional charges such as vehicular manslaughter, an additional penalty may be added for fleeing the scene.
This can add years to a person’s sentence.
In 2010, a Georgia woman was sentenced to almost 40 years in prison for killing five people in a hit-and-run accident on Easter Sunday. She was found guilty on all 15 charges, including five counts of vehicular manslaughter.
How Will Law Enforcement Attempt to Find the Negligent Driver?
After a hit and run is reported, law enforcement will work diligently using creative and exhaustive methods of searching for the negligent driver.
Many types of evidence can be useful in finding the driver who hit you and ran, such as:
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Physical evidence
- License plate recognition systems
- Social media
How Can I Recover a Settlement for My Damages After a Hit and Run?
Even in the event law enforcement finds the liable party responsible for causing your accident, they may not have the level of insurance necessary to cover the damages. This is a common cause for hit-and-runs but leaves the victim in a nerve-wracking position.
If the negligent motorist does not have sufficient insurance coverage, an attorney may recommend exhaustive damage recovery through other routes like:
- Your own insurance: The first route of recovery that your attorney will exhaust is your own policy’s benefits. Some insurance policies offer coverage for their policyholders in the event they endure an accident with an underinsured motorist. Other policies provide benefits for medical expenses and other related costs. An attorney can thoroughly review what coverage you pay for and help you understand how it can offset the financial burden of your accident.
- Other at-fault parties: There may be more than one at-fault party in a hit-and-run accident. Another motorist, a car part manufacturer, or the city may hold some responsibility for your damages. If there was a malfunction with the vehicle or the road conditions were poor, this route of recovery may apply.
- Lawsuit: If the negligent driver does not have comprehensive auto accident insurance that covers the cost of your damages, you may still be able to secure a settlement through a formal lawsuit against the motorist.
Call a Dalton Hit and Run Accident Law Firm for Representation Through Financial Recovery
Managing your recovery after a traditional car accident is time-consuming and frustrating enough, but the added time and oversight that it takes to comprehensively manage a hit-and-run recovery will take even more precious time out of your day. These cases also move forward at a more unpredictable pace, but your attorney can keep all of your applicable tasks and responsibilities organized efficiently.
Your lawyer is your right-hand man throughout the course of financial recovery, providing guidance and advocacy where it’s needed. A hit-and-run accident may be more complex to settle, but an attorney can help you face it head-on.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has dedicated associates standing by to help you schedule an initial consultation where you can review all of the specific details of your case with a Dalton hit-and-run attorney. Call (706) 307-4676 or contact us online to schedule your free case review today.
