Atlanta Hit and Run Accidents
Georgia holds the dubious distinction of having one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the United States. According to recent statistics, approximately 12.4% of Georgia drivers do not carry an insurance policy. While car accidents are never pleasant, hit-and-run accidents can be especially traumatizing for victims. You can’t help but feel violated when someone hits you when you’re driving, riding your bicycle, or walking on the sidewalk and flees the scene. Considering that many drivers are uninsured, being involved in a traffic accident with a driver who flees the scene after inflicting serious harm adds another layer of stress to an already difficult situation. Our experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys at Greathouse Trial Law can help.
Whether the accident led to property damage or a severe injury, you want to bring the driver to justice. However, as our seasoned accident attorneys know, pursuing justice in hit and run crashes presents significant challenges.
The police have to find the at-fault driver, leaving you with more questions than answers as you work to recover damages and rebuild your life. In the absence of the other vehicle, determining how the accident happened becomes more difficult. As experienced car accidents attorneys know, with these types of accidents, victims find the pursuit of compensation an uphill battle because the driver responsible has already left the scene.
Regardless, if the police don’t locate the hit and run driver, you can still file a claim with your insurance company. If the police find the other person involved, you can seek additional damages by filing a personal injury claim against them.
With the help of our knowledgeable team of accident attorneys, you can explore your legal options and pursue economic and noneconomic damages. Contact us today at (678) 310-2827 to schedule your free consultation.
Key Takeaways About Hit and Run Accident Cases in and around Atlanta, Georgia
- Immediate Reporting: Report a hit and run crash immediately to law enforcement to initiate an investigation. A police report will help support insurance claims and potential legal proceedings.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Your own insurance should include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to protect you in the event of a hit and run accident where the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured.
- Legal Representation from a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer: Consider seeking the assistance of car accident attorneys experienced in hit and run cases. A hit and run accident lawyer with previous experience representing an insurance company gives you a competitive advantage. They can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Evidence Collection: Document the scene of the accident by taking photos, gathering witness statements, and preserving any physical evidence. This evidence can strengthen your case when seeking compensation.
- Emotional and Financial Support: Hit and run accidents can lead to physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. Seeking medical attention for injuries, emotional support for trauma, and legal guidance for pursuing compensation are essential steps in the aftermath of such incidents.
Common Injuries Sustained in Hit and Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents cause a multitude of serious injuries that can reduce the quality of life for the long term and threaten the life of the injured person. Common injuries from hit-and-run accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Loss of Limbs
- Spinal Cord Damage
- Neck Injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal Bleeding
- Wrongful Death
- Psychological Trauma
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What to Do Immediately Following a Hit and Run Accident
Experiencing a hit and run accident can be disorienting and stressful, but taking the following steps can help protect your well-being, gather crucial information, and aid in potential legal action.
- Prioritize Safety: First and foremost, check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone requires medical assistance, call 911 immediately.
- Secure the Scene of the Accident: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location to prevent further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Gather Information: Try to gather as much information as you can about the fleeing vehicle, such as the make, model, color, license plate number (even a partial one can be helpful), and any identifying features. Note the time and location of the incident.
- Exchange Information with Witnesses: Look for witnesses who may have seen the accident and exchange contact information. Their statements can be valuable in identifying the hit and run driver.
- Document the Accident Scene: Take photos of the scene of the accident, including damage to your vehicle, skid marks, and any debris. This visual evidence can support your insurance claim or legal case.
- Call the Police: Report the hit and run accident to the police immediately and give them all the information you have gathered. A police report supports any insurance claims and potential legal action. Keep in mind that your damaged vehicle can be an important piece of evidence to help them identify the at-fault driver.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel uninjured, it's essential to seek medical evaluation. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and documenting your medical condition is important for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Consult an Accident Lawyer: Consider consulting a personal injury lawyer with experience in hit and run accidents. After a hit and run crash, a lawyer can protect your rights, navigate the legal process, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: After consulting an accident lawyer, contact your insurance company to report the hit and run accident. Your lawyer will advise you about what to say and what not to say.
What are My Legal Options for Pursuing Maximum Compensation after a Hit and Run Accident?
Victims of hit and run accidents could potentially pursue various types of damages to compensate for their injuries, losses, and emotional distress.
- Medical Expenses: This includes all past and future medical bills related to the treatment of injuries sustained in the hit and run accident. It encompasses hospital bills, surgery costs, medication expenses, rehabilitation fees, and any other necessary medical treatments.
- Lost Wages: A victim of a hit and run car accident can seek compensation for the income they lost due to an inability to work because of their injuries from the hit and run accident. This potential compensation would cover past and potential future earnings impacted by the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages such as physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident can be included in the claim. These damages seek to address the intangible suffering experienced by the victim.
- Property Damage: A victim can claim any damage to their vehicle or personal property caused by the hit and run driver. Repairs or replacement costs for the damaged property fall under this category.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: If the victim sustains permanent disabilities or disfigurement because of the hit and run accident, they may seek compensation for the long-term impact these conditions have on their quality of life and ability to work.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where the victim's injuries affect their relationship with their spouse or family members, the injured party or their family may seek compensation for the loss of companionship, care, and support.
- Wrongful Death: If the hit and run accident leads to a fatality, surviving family members or the estate representative may pursue a wrongful death claim for damages such as funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
After a hit and run car accident, consulting a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights, assess the full extent of your damages, and pursue fair compensation for your losses is vital. A hit and run accident lawyer can build a strong case, negotiate with the insurance company involved, and advocate for your best interests throughout the legal process.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage, and Does Georgia Require It?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a type of auto insurance that provides protection to you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance, or in a hit and run car accident where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. UM coverage helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages due to accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers.
To summarize, UM coverage steps in to compensate you for your losses when the at-fault party lacks insurance coverage or cannot pay for your damages.
Georgia's Requirements for UM Coverage
In Georgia, uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory unless specifically rejected in writing by the insured individual. The minimum UM coverage limits required by law in Georgia are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
These minimum coverage limits protect Georgia drivers in the event of accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists or drivers who flee the scene of an accident. With UM coverage, drivers can seek compensation for their injuries and damages even when the at-fault driver cannot cover the costs.
Understanding the significance of uninsured motorist coverage and the legal requirements associated with it will help protect you in situations involving uninsured or hit and run drivers.
“As a former felony prosecutor, I believe that there is no fight that is too small or too big to fight when seeking justice for my clients.”
- Riah Greathouse
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Do I Need an Attorney After Being Harmed in a Hit and Run Collision?
Being injured in a hit and run collision can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but seeking legal guidance and representation from an experienced attorney will protect your rights and help you in your effort to pursue compensation.
- Navigating Legal Complexities: Hit and run cases can involve complex legal issues, especially when it comes to identifying the at-fault driver, dealing with insurance companies, and understanding the intricacies of Georgia's laws regarding uninsured motorist coverage. An attorney can protect your rights as they help you navigate these complexities.
- Maximizing Compensation: An attorney can assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage, to help you seek compensation for your injuries. For a competitive edge, seek the services of an attorney with prior experience as an insurance defense lawyer. An accident lawyer with this background understands their tactics and can negotiate with the insurance company or pursue legal action as they work to seek compensation on your behalf.
- Investigative Resources: Attorneys have access to investigative resources and expert witnesses who can help gather evidence, reconstruct the accident, identify the driver who fled the scene, and strengthen your case — all of which can significantly impact the outcome of your claim and increase the likelihood of a successful resolution.
- Legal Advocacy: A skilled attorney will act as your advocate throughout the legal process, representing your interests, communicating with insurance adjusters, and handling all aspects of your case. They will work tirelessly to pursue appropriate financial compensation, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery and your life.
- Peace of Mind: By having a knowledgeable attorney by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is in capable hands. They will handle the legal complexities, paperwork, negotiations, and court proceedings, allowing you to concentrate on your health and well-being.
- Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations for hit and run accidents in Georgia is typically two years from the date of the accident. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible to meet all legal deadlines is paramount.
Greater with Greathouse: Let Greathouse Trial Law Represent Your Interests and Protect Your Rights After a Hit and Run Accident
At Greathouse Trial Law, Greater with Greathouse is not just a catchphrase ~ it's our law firm’s mission. Our law firm focuses on personal injury cases including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, drunk driver accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice in and around Atlanta and throughout Georgia.
Our founder, Riah Greathouse, served his community for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. His service as a prosecutor yielded a tremendous amount of courtroom experience, allowing him to attack personal injury cases with tenacity, often proving to be beneficial in securing a favorable resolution.
Riah's experience as an insurance defense lawyer on behalf of insurance companies gives him a unique advantage when representing injured clients. In this role, Riah noticed the insurance companies treated victims with legitimate injuries unfairly, making it as difficult as possible for them to seek compensation. That's when he vowed to make a difference.
When you work with Greathouse Trial Law, you will experience:
Greater Health
We will connect you with the best doctors available after your injury, to get you through your recovery.
Greater Communication
Open lines of communication with our office, as well as the providers charged to help you
Greater Representation
A fighter on your side against the insurance companies and their attorneys
Contact us at (678) 310-2827 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Discover why it’s Greater with Greathouse for hit and run car accident claims.
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