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Georgia law states that anyone involved in a motor vehicle collision must remain at the scene, yet people often flee if they have the opportunity. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were approximately 281,685 motor vehicle traffic accidents, in which 42,795 people died and 125,454 people were injured in 2022.
How Can a Marietta Hit and Run Accident Attorney Help Me?
The Marietta hit-and-run accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer can help if you or your loved one have been involved in an accident where the driver who caused the collision left the scene. Whoever was responsible for causing the collision is liable for compensating the victim for any damages caused by the accident.
If the driver whose negligence resulted in the collision decides to leave the scene without at least exchanging identification or insurance information, the pursuit of compensation for the damages you have suffered is a challenging task.
Hit-and-run accidents are more common than most people realize. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there were about 737,100 hit-and-run accidents in 2015.
This means that in the United States, a hit-and-run accident occurs every 43 seconds.
Car crashes are not the only type of hit-and-run accident. A large number of bicyclists and pedestrians also become victims of getting struck by vehicles that do not remain at the scene of the accident.
The victims in these situations have a greater chance of suffering from severe injuries that will require expensive long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation. The victims may even be killed by the collision or by the seriousness of their injuries, especially if they are left without any medical help.
When the driver responsible for the accident drives away, the victim or their family faces possible financial devastation on top of their injuries and property damage.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to help the victims of hit-and-run accidents. We provide our full dedication to your case and will inform you of all your legal options for seeking compensation for the damages you have endured as the result of a driver’s negligence.
We have extensive knowledge of how to help the victims of hit-and-run accidents.
Is Leaving the Scene of an Accident Illegal in Georgia?
Georgia law requires drivers involved in a car crash to stay at the scene. When a driver is involved in a collision that results in an injury or death, that driver must remain at the accident site until police arrive and are given permission to leave.
The driver may be transported to a medical facility by emergency medical personnel if necessary. Otherwise, leaving the scene of an accident is a violation of the law and a felony offense.
Georgia has strict penalties for drivers who do not stop and stay after a collision, especially when an injury or death is involved. The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury depends on the severity of the injury and ranges from a misdemeanor charge to a felony.
The fine for someone’s first hit and run in Georgia is between $300 and $1,000, and incarceration for up to a year. If the accident includes a felony charge, the penalty has increased fines and up to five years of imprisonment.
After a collision where there is only minor property damage of under $500 and there are no injuries, the drivers are still required to exchange information, including:
- Name
- Address
- Driver’s License Number
- License Plate Number
- Insurance Information
Minor accidents that did not cause injuries and where any property damage will cost less than $500 to repair do not require police involvement. If the other driver leaves the scene after a minor accident, contacting the police will give you official documentation of the incident, which will help you when you file a claim for compensation.
It is highly recommended that you call the police to report any accident to avoid being accused of being a hit-and-run driver. You will also need the police to file a claim for compensation, so even in minor accidents, protect yourself and call the police.
What Should a Driver Do if the Collision Involves an Unoccupied Vehicle?
When a driver collides with an unoccupied vehicle, that driver is required by law to make an honest attempt to find the owner of the vehicle to exchange information. If the owner is unable to be located, the driver is still responsible for providing their information to the owner and reporting the accident.
Many drivers choose to leave a note for the owner to find when they return to their vehicle.
Why Are Hit and Run Accidents So Prevalent?
Leaving a car accident scene is illegal. Drivers who choose to drive away from a collision are risking felony charges for this serious offense. If convicted, they would receive a criminal record and would likely spend time in a state prison.
Yet many people decide that leaving the scene of the accident is their best option. The most common reason why drivers choose to flee the scene of the accident is to circumvent serious criminal charges, which may include the following:
- Driving while impaired or intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
- Having a warrant for their arrest
- Driving a stolen vehicle
- Driving without a valid driver’s license
- Driving without state-mandated insurance coverage
- Possible deportation due to residency status
There are occasional instances where the driver did not realize that a collision occurred. These situations typically involve distracted driving, driver intoxication, high speeds, or driving during times of low visibility.
What Can I Do if the at Fault Driver Cannot Be Found?
Unfortunately, victims of hit-and-run accidents are not able to sue for compensation for the damages they have suffered when the driver responsible for causing the accident cannot be found. Every collision is different, but your hit-and-run accident attorney will give you advice on your legal options, given your unique circumstances.
Most often, you will be able to file a claim with the uninsured motorist coverage on your own car insurance policy.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Help After a Hit and Run Accident?
Georgia requires all registered vehicles to have at least a minimum amount of insurance coverage. This mandatory insurance does not include an uninsured motorist policy, which would cover property damage and bodily injury from a hit-and-run accident.
Insurance companies must offer this coverage, but it is possible to reject it in writing. If you did not reject this policy, the uninsured motorist coverage should pay for any damages you received from a hit-and-run driver.
Your Marietta hit-and-run attorney will file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company if the driver responsible for your injuries cannot be located or identified. The policy limits for uninsured motorist coverage are equivalent to the limits of your property damage and bodily injury coverages.
What Should I Do After an Accident if the Other Driver Decides to Hit and Run?
If you find yourself involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may feel tempted to follow the other vehicle. Any attempt to chase another vehicle is extremely dangerous and should not be considered an option.
The best thing you can do is stay at the scene of the accident, call the police, take pictures of the accident scene and your own vehicle, and record as much information about the other vehicle and driver as possible. Some information that will be very helpful for your case includes:
- The type of vehicle that hit you, including the make and model
- The license plate number, even a partial number, can help
- The color of the vehicle
- Any unique features of the vehicle, such as bumper stickers or aftermarket modifications
- Any noticeable damage to the vehicle, both from your accident and pre-existing damage
- A physical description of the driver
- Contact information for any witnesses willing to give a statement about your accident
Why Do I Need a Marietta Hit and Run Accident Attorney When I’m Dealing With My Own Insurance Company?
Even filing a claim with your own insurance company can be challenging. All insurance companies are businesses and they have to protect themselves against fraudulent or embellished claims in order to stay in operation and to keep their customers’ premiums as low as possible.
Hit-and-run accidents are difficult to prove, especially when the damage appears to have been caused by your own actions. Witnesses and a detailed police report will help you in these circumstances, but an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer will be your greatest asset.
Skilled hit-and-run accident attorneys will conduct an investigation of your accident to try to identify the driver who caused the collision and left the scene. They will use all the information and descriptions that you can provide for them, as well as the police report.
They will question any documented witnesses and procure any available surveillance footage. Depending on the circumstances, they may even consult with an accident reconstruction specialist to determine exactly what happened during your collision to prove that the fault lies with the driver who left.
Contact a Knowledgeable Marietta Hit and Run Accident Law Firm Today
Fleeing the scene of an accident is cowardly and illegal. The Marietta hit-and-run accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are experienced and will make sure that you get the compensation you need to recover from the damage caused by the driver who left.
We know what you are going through and how to deal with difficult insurance companies.
Call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today at (833) 254-2923 for a free consultation. We give all our clients personalized advice and care because we understand that every situation is unique.