Athens Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Victims of accidents where a driver fled the scene can obtain compensation with the help of our hit and run accident lawyer in Athens.

The Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys can help you with your case. Our founder has over a decade of experience serving Athens with complex car accident cases. He can evaluate your situation to determine what it’s worth and then help you get compensated. Contact us to get started.

What Do You Do If a Driver Flees the Scene?

If you are involved in a crash and the other driver leaves the scene, there are several things you should do:

Remain at the scene and call the police

Chasing the other driver and trying to detain them can be dangerous and unpredictable, which can complicate the situation. Therefore, remain at the scene and call the police so that they can begin to track down the other driver.

Document the scene

Make sure that you are ready to provide as much pertinent information as possible following the accident. Take photos or videos and jot down as much information as you can including a description of the vehicle and the license plate number. This will make it easier for the police to find the driver.

Talk to witnesses

If there are any witnesses that saw the crash, ask them if they can give a statement about what they saw. They may have information that you missed. Make sure that you also gather their contact information as well for your own records.

Can You Still Get Compensation for a Hit and Run?

Georgia is an “at-fault” state, which means the driver that caused the accident is liable for the injuries and property damage. These damages are usually paid for by the driver’s insurance company. However, in a hit and run crash, it can be difficult to hold the other driver liable if you cannot locate them.

Therefore, if you are involved in a hit and run, you may need to file with your own insurance company for compensation through your uninsured motorist clause or file a lawsuit if you are able to locate the driver.

In addition, the state of Georgia has a Crime Victim’s Compensation Board that you may be able to file with to recoup losses when the offender has not been convicted.

Why Drivers May Leave the Scene of the Accident

Georgia state law requires that drivers involved in a collision with another driver must stop to exchange information when bodily injury and/or property damage occurred.

Georgia hit and run laws are clear: if minor injuries occurred as a result of the accident, the driver leaving the scene could be charged with a misdemeanor. If serious injuries or death occurred, they could be charged with a felony.

Some of the most common reasons that drivers flee the scene of an accident include:

Fear

They may feel threatened by the other driver and be afraid for their life. They may be afraid of being caught and convicted of a crime, so they leave the scene. They may not have a driver’s license or insurance, or they have a warrant out for their arrest, so they try to run.

Confusion

Another common reason that a driver may leave the scene is due to confusion. They may be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and not remember to stay. In some cases, they may be suffering from cognitive issues such as dementia.

How Are Hit and Run Drivers Found?

If you are involved in a hit and run accident, there are several things you can do to help find the driver:

• Contact the police and file a hit and run report. If you are injured, request that it be investigated as a crime.
• If there are any witnesses, find out if they can provide any information such as license plate number, description of the vehicle, and/or driver. If there are any residences or businesses nearby, ask if they have surveillance cameras that may have recorded the accident.
• If other drivers stopped, ask if they have dash cam or cellphone video of the accident
• If you were able to get the number of the license plate of the vehicle involved in the crash, you can do an owner search at your Department of Motor Vehicles. The owner may not have been driving, but it’s a good place to start.
• Find out if there are traffic cameras in the area where the crash occurred and request the footage. You may also ask the police to check the footage as well.
• Use social media to your advantage by posting some of the accident information in local groups. Someone may know the person that hit you and, in some cases, it may convince the driver to come forward.
• Take photos of the scene and the damage to your vehicle and any other property damage.

Damages You Can Recover From a Hit and Run Driver

If you are involved in a hit and run accident, you may have to pay for medical expenses and property damage repairs out of your own pocket. However, a hit and run victim lawyer can help you recoup some of these damages, including:

• Lost wages resulting from missed work due to injuries
• Medical expenses
• Repair/replacement of your vehicle
• Property damage
• Funeral expenses and other costs due to wrongful death after a hit and run accident
• Punitive damages

How Our Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Athens Can Help

In the state of Georgia, vehicle crashes are subject to a 2-year statute of limitations. This means that you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file your claim. However, if you are involved in a hit and run and the driver cannot be located, the statute of limitations can be tolled. This means that the clock is paused until the driver is found so that you will still be able to recover damages.

Also, the hit and run driver may face criminal charges in connection with the crash. Your personal injury lawsuit may be put on hold— but as long as you file within the specified time frame, your right to compensation is protected. Our hit and run accident lawyer can help.

Brady M. Larrison has been practicing law in the Athens area for more than 12 years as a plaintiff’s attorney. Contact us online to begin your case.