If you have been involved in a car accident, you are likely to be feeling overwhelmed and frightened. Unfortunately, if the other driver flees the scene, the problem will likely become much more complex.
When you have suffered injuries in an accident where the at-fault driver left before speaking with you or the police, you need to get in touch with a Georgia hit and run lawyer.
The CEO Lawyer, Ali Awad, knows what it takes to find success for himself and his clients. He has built a successful business by earning his clients hundreds of millions in collective settlements and jury awards. His team is well-versed in Georgia car accident laws, including those regarding hit and runs. We are prepared to evaluate your case and help you determine how most effectively to proceed to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement amount.
While you have the right to handle a hit-and-run claim on your own, we want you to know why it is so vital to work with a knowledgeable Georgia car wreck attorney. The knowledge, experience, resources, and legal capabilities an attorney brings all make it much more likely that you will be able to recover from your losses, even in a situation where the at-fault driver fled.
Why You Need a Georgia Hit and Run Attorney
There are several reasons why you should hire a hit-and-run lawyer after an accident. For starters, there is a statute of limitation for taking legal action in Georgia.
Accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in our state. While most car accidents settle via negotiations, there is a higher chance you might consider filing a lawsuit because of the hit-and-run circumstances. If you fail to file within the required time, you will likely forfeit your right to compensation, and the court could dismiss your case without review. Your attorney will work with you to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines and reduce the risk of your case going nowhere.
There is also the possibility that the police will never locate the hit-and-run driver. Even when that happens, you are not out of luck. You may be able to pursue compensation from your own insurance company. However, that will depend on the type of coverage you have. You will need collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage for most hit-and-run accidents. In some cases, you may have a partial claim against another third party, as well, including another involved driver or the manufacturer of a defective vehicle.
Negotiating with any insurance company is difficult, as they have a profit-driven motive to pay you as little as possible for your injuries. They will do everything in their power to deny or reduce your payout. However, you are more likely to obtain a settlement award when you hire a injury lawyer in Georgia to handle your insurance claim. Your attorney works closely with you to manage the submission of the claim, provide supporting documentation, and directly handle any denials of coverage.
How the CEO Lawyer Can Help
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm in Georgia, we know how important money can be after a car accident. We are also aware of the challenges of getting that money when the at-fault driver leaves the scene. That is why our legal team will review your case, answer any questions you may have, and start to build a claim that proves you are owed compensation for your losses. You can contact our legal team by calling (470) 323-8779 or by contacting us online.
During the claims process, we will evaluate what you have been through, collect relevant evidence, build a case that proves negligence, evaluate your losses, and determine a fair value of compensation. Depending on the complexity of your case, the matter could go on for months or potentially longer, but we will be by your side the entire time to ensure you understand your rights and are on a positive path to recovery.
Hit and Run Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, drivers involved in an accident are bound by the duty to stop at the scene. They must collect information from the other driver, render reasonable assistance, or ensure emergency medical services are contacted. If they fail to do that, they can be prosecuted.
Georgia considers a hit and run to be a misdemeanor or felony. A minor traffic accident where no injuries occur and a driver flees is considered a misdemeanor. Anyone guilty can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months. When an accident involving serious bodily injury or death and a driver flees, they can be punished by imprisonment for one to five years. There are also additional penalties for drivers convicted of multiple hit and run offenses within a five-year period.
If you have been a victim of a hit and run, it is important to stay at the accident scene and call 911. Do not attempt to follow the fleeing vehicle. Request emergency medical service if you are injured and speak with the police when they arrive. Provide any details about the vehicle: make, model, color, partial plate, etc. Depending on the locations of the crash, investigators may be able to pull video footage from nearby stores or traffic cameras to make a positive identification.
Once you have been seen by a doctor and the immediate panic of the situation has passed, it is time to get in touch with a Georgia hit-and-run attorney.
How to File a Claim Against a Hit and Run Driver
In most instances, after a hit and run, you will not be aware of the identity of the at-fault driver. In some cases, the driver can be identified thanks to available evidence and information.
However, you still have options even if the driver is never located. In that case, you will file a claim with your own insurance company under the applicable policy. You will provide your claims adjuster with relevant information and any documentation related to the accident. This could include medical bills, police reports, property damage costs, and more. You will need to report which covered vehicle was involved, who was driving, the time and location of the crash, a basic description of the accident, and contact information for any potential witnesses.
When you work with an attorney, they can handle those conversations for you. This way, you can focus solely on recovering, and there won’t be the risk of jeopardizing your claim. Your attorney will make a note of the provided claim number, as well as who they spoke to.
Once the initial conversation has passed, the adjuster will review the claim, investigate the accident, and file their report. If you agree with the adjuster’s payment, you sign the release accepting the offer and take care of your accident expenses. If you do not believe the adjuster has offered enough, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to seek full coverage for all of your losses.
If you know the at-fault driver’s identity, the situation is a bit different. You still have the option of filing a claim against their insurance company. Not only will they be pursued for damages similarly to the procedure described above, but they could also face legal ramifications for fleeing, which could mean punitive damages are available should your case go to a civil trial. If you and your lawyer believe it is in your interest to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, they will walk you through the process. It is also possible the other driver could be facing criminal charges at the same time as your civil claim.
No matter how to choose to proceed after a hit-and-run, it is imperative to work with an experienced attorney who can explain your rights and ensure your claim is fairly valued in accordance with your losses.
Work to Maximize Your Compensation With Our Georgia Hit and Run Accident Law Firm
When you work with an attorney, they will take into consideration all of the losses you currently have experienced and future ones you will continue to experience. Whether you have to collect from your own insurance company or are able to hold the fleeing driver accountable, both economic and non-economic losses will be considered.
Economic losses are those that are directly calculable. Your lawyer will take your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage costs into consideration. You may also be able to obtain monies for the cost of transportation back and forth to medical facilities if you require ongoing care for your injuries.
Your lawyer will also take into consideration the cost of future care as well as any lost potential earning capacity, if applicable. These damages are difficult for the average person to calculate and prove, which is another reason why having a Georgia hit-and-run accident attorney can prove beneficial.
Non-economic damages refer to more subjective losses, like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment in life. If you suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident and your life has significantly shifted course, you will likely be eligible for a higher amount of non-economic compensation than if your injuries were less severe.
Because the driver left the scene without regard for your safety or their duty, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages serve to punish the guilty party for gross negligence and discourage them — and others — from acting similarly in the future.
Learn More About Your Legal Rights and Options During a Free Case Review
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our Georgia hit and run lawyers understand the struggles you are facing and are prepared to guide you through the claims process to ensure you receive the compensation you need to get your life back in order as quickly as reasonably possible.
Accident victims deserve a strong chance to recover after an accident—especially one that was not their fault. With an experienced lawyer by your side, you will be on your way to receiving the compensation you need to heal and move forward. The sooner you get in touch with our law firm, the better your chances are of pursuing a successful claim or lawsuit.
If you are ready to learn more about your rights and what steps you need to take to pursue compensation for your losses, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our law firm today using our convenient contact form or by calling (470) 323-8779.
