A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver strikes another vehicle or a person and flees the scene before the authorities arrive. This not only leaves injured victims severely vulnerable, but it is also a serious criminal offense.
In Georgia, a hit-and-run is more than just an accident resulting in an insurance claim. These kinds of accidents typically lead to police investigations and criminal charges for the driver who fled the scene. Investigation might take time before the other driver can be identified, and charges may vary from a misdemeanor offense to a serious felony, depending on the situation. Getting compensation for your injuries might take time since the police have to investigate first, and prosecutors will want to try the other driver in criminal court. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you should call for help immediately, try to make a note of any details you can, and speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Call our Georgia car accident lawyers at (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free review of your hit-and-run accident with our dedicated team at Howe Law.
Police Investigations After Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Georgia
Being injured in a hit-and-run crash can be frightening, disorienting, and frustrating. You might exit your car after the crash only to find nobody else around. How do you file an insurance claim if there is no other driver? Whom do you sue for damages? If you find yourself in this situation, you need to call for emergency help and the police.
An accident becomes a hit-and-run when one driver leaves the accident scene before the police arrive. Many hit-and-run accidents involve drivers fleeing the scene without checking to see if the other driver is okay. Sometimes, they do not even stop or slow down. However, many other hit-and-run accidents play out differently. Perhaps the driver did stop and check if you were okay, but they still left before the police arrived. They would still be in trouble for a hit-and-run.
Hit-and-runs are serious criminal offenses. Any details you can provide the police will aid them in their investigation and hopefully allow them to find the other driver faster.
If the other driver flees, inform the police. The authorities will investigate, find the other driver, and bring them to justice. Once the other driver is identified, our Georgia personal injury lawyers can help you take legal action for compensation.
Potential Criminal Charges and Penalties in Georgia Hit-and-Run Accident Cases
Criminal charges for hit-and-run offenses can range from misdemeanor offenses to severe felonies. The gravity of the charges usually depends on the nature of the crash and whether anyone was seriously injured.
Georgia’s law for hit-and-run accidents can be found under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270. Under this law, drivers are required to stop and remain at the scene after an accident. If the accident results in relatively minor injuries or only vehicle damage, the other driver might be charged with a misdemeanor. If the accident resulted in serious injuries or death, felony charges may be assessed, and the defendant might be sentenced to at least 1 but no more than 5 years in prison.
It is not unusual for hit-and-run accidents to be severe. In many cases, defendants flee because they panic and fear dealing with the police. Meanwhile, the people they injure are left injured and alone on the side of the road.
Suing the Other Driver in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia
You can and should sue the driver who hit you and fled the scene. Unfortunately, this is not so simple. The problem many injured drivers have in hit-and-run accidents is identifying the other driver so they can be named in a lawsuit. If you cannot identify the other driver, you cannot sue them for compensation.
Plaintiffs usually must wait for the police to investigate to find out who the other driver is. The police have much experience handling cases like this and are adept at tracking down drivers. Even a brief description of the other driver’s vehicle can help speed up the investigation.
While you might wait a while before you can get your claims into court and get compensation, there are certain advantages to waiting. If the other driver is found guilty or enters a guilty plea in criminal court, we can use the verdict or their plea as evidence in your civil lawsuit.
Not only that, but you might have far greater damages available to you because of the nature of your claims. Hit-and-run accidents tend to be very traumatic for accident victims. As such, they may claim significant non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and more.
What You Should Do If You Are the Victim of a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, your top priority should be to remain calm and call for help. Since the other driver fled the scene, you might be alone, and there might be nobody else to call for help. If you have trouble calling for help alone, you might rely on someone passing by to stop and help, which might take a while.
Once you have gotten medical attention for your injuries, you should contact the police and speak to them about the accident if you have not done so already. Some people speak with the police at the accident scene. Others get treatment first and talk to the police later. Either way, speak with law enforcement as soon as possible, as any information you have about the crash might be invaluable to the investigation.
Finally, you should talk to an attorney about taking legal action while you wait for the investigation to turn up the other driver. The fact that the other driver has yet to be identified does not mean you cannot do anything about your case. Your lawyer can help you begin preparations for an insurance claim and lawsuit. This way, you can take legal action immediately once the other driver is identified.
If You Were Hurt in a Hit-and-Run Crash, Call Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers About Taking Legal Action
If you were injured in a hit-and-run, call our Atlanta car accident lawyers at (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free review of your case with our dedicated team at Howe Law.
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