Our Atlanta Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney Team
A hit-and-run accident occurs when one of the drivers involved in a motor vehicle collision leaves the scene before the police arrive. Georgia law requires drivers involved in most accidents to remain at the crash site until law enforcement arrives. Failure to remain at the scene can have criminal consequences, and can also make it difficult for an injury victim to hold a negligent motorist accountable.
An Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorney could help you maximize your financial recovery. Although dealing with an accident without knowing the identity of the other driver can be frustrating, there are still options available for obtaining a fair monetary award. Let the team at Mabra Law advise you of your legal options after a hit-and-run collision.
What Are My Options for Recovering Financial Compensation?
Securing a monetary award after being injured in a hit-and-run accident is possible. There are several approaches; determining which path to pursue requires legal expertise . Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit or pursue a claim with your insurance carrier.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The standard path for seeking financial compensation following a motor vehicle accident is a personal injury lawsuit. This approach is often available even when the other driver leaves the scene of the collision.
In many situations, the police are able to track down the other motorist near the scene of the crash based on the description of the vehicle. In other cases, it is possible to identify the owner of the car using their license plate number. When the fleeing drivers are identified, our Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorney team is ready to hold them accountable.
Pursue a Claim Through Your Own Insurance
The reality of many hit-and-run accidents is that the identity of the at-fault motorists are never discovered. Without confirmation of the other driver’s identity, you cannot sue the individual or make a claim on their liability policy. That does not mean you are out of options, however. The good news is that your own insurance policy might cover your losses.
Every motorist in Georgia has the opportunity to purchase Uninsured Motorist—or UIM—coverage when they buy their liability policy. As the name suggests, this coverage is designed to pay for the insured driver’s losses when they are involved in a crash with a person who lacks insurance of their own. These policies can be used in cases where the identity of the at-fault driver is undetermined.
Before you file a claim with your own insurance company, it is important to understand the type of coverage that you have. Drivers have the option to waive uninsured motorist coverage, which many do because it increases their monthly premiums. You can only rely on UIM insurance following a hit-and-run accident if you purchased it.
What is My Case Worth?
Although your paths to financial compensation can vary, there are several types of damages that you might be entitled to recover. Our Atlanta-hit–and-run accident attorney team cannot guarantee a specific outcome or settlement offer, we can identify the types of damages you may recover if your case is successful.
Medical Expenses
The cost of medical care can be overwhelming following an accident. You may be entitled to an award for both past and future medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgical procedures, ambulance transportation and other types of care.
Lost Wages
Many injuries make it impossible to immediately return to work for days, weeks, or months. If you are out of work while recovering after your accident, you might be missing out on your primary source of income. A successful injury claim could help you recoup those lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain is an unfortunate part of suffering a serious injury. It also can serve as the basis for part of your financial compensation following a crash. Although pain is subjective, our attorneys can show a jury how your suffering has impacted your quality of life.
Property Damage
In addition to your injuries, you might have a viable claim for the damage to your vehicle. Depending on the severity of this damage, you could recover compensation based on the cost of repairing or replacing your car.
The Law Requires Motorists to Remain at the Scene of an Accident in Most Cases
Georgia Code 40-6-270 makes it clear when a motorist is required to remain at the scene of an accident. While there are circumstances where a motorist is permitted to leave without waiting for law enforcement to arrive, most drivers are required to stay.
Under the statute, you must remain at the scene and notify law enforcement if you are involved in a collision that results in physical injury or death. You must also remain at the scene if you were involved in a crash with an occupied car that resulted in property damage, even if no one was hurt.
There are a handful of exceptions to be aware of. You are not obligated to remain if the other vehicle is unoccupied as long as you leave your insurance information or make some other reasonable effort to find the owner. You also are not obligated to stay at the scene if you suffer injuries that require emergency medical care.
Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of a Crash?
There are many reasons why a driver might flee the scene of a collision instead of waiting for the police to arrive. Understanding this reasoning can be useful during litigation if the other driver is ultimately identified. Some of the reasons include the following:
- Outstanding arrest warrants
- Driver was intoxicated
- Lack of immigration status
- Lack of liability insurance
- Fear of arrest
- Panic
Regardless of the reasons, our Atlanta hit-and-run accident lawyers are prepared to serve as your advocates. We can help you evaluate your options before moving forward with the goal of maximizing your financial compensation.
Steps to Take Following a Hit-and-Run Accident
The steps you take following a hit-and run-accident are important. Must-do examples include:
- Report the Accident to the Police
Your first step should be to notify the police of the collision. The sooner you are able to contact law enforcement, the better the odds are that they will be able to track down the motorist who struck you. In many cases, police are close enough to the accident scene that they will be able to find the other driver before they are too far away.
It is vital that you provide the police with as many details as possible regarding the other party. In addition to a description of the vehicle, the most important information you can provide is their license plate number. That detail allows the police to track the registration back to the owner of the vehicle. A physical description of the other driver and the damage to their car is also helpful.
- Seek Medical Care as Needed
If you were hurt, your top priority should be seeking medical care as soon as possible. Even relatively minor injuries have the potential to worsen over time. Seeking a doctor establishes the injury and its cause. Medical treatment also can prevent injuries from worsening. In addition to seeking emergency care, it is vital for you to follow up with your doctors as required.
- Investigate the Crash Scene
If you can do so safely, it could benefit you to investigate the scene of the crash, documenting damage and debris with photos or video. In rare cases, debris from the other vehicle might help to identify the owner, such as a dislodged license plate. Witnesses to the accident might also be able to bolster your case or even identify the other party in the crash.
There also are actions to avoid in these situations that could negatively impact your chances of recovering fair compensation. Some examples include:
- Do Not Attempt to Follow the Other Driver
One step you should avoid is chasing after the driver who struck you. It is natural to want to ensure they are identified, but chasing another motorist can be dangerous for a number of reasons. This behavior could increase the risk of a second accident. There also is the possibility that the other party could become violent if confronted.
How An Atlanta Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney Team Can Help
There are many reasons why an Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorney with Mabra Law could help with your injury case. We understand how frustrating it can be to have a negligent driver flee the scene of a crash they caused. That is why we are prepared to aggressively pursue the best possible outcome on your behalf. Some of the ways we can help with your case include:
- Identifying the Other Driver
The police are not always able to track down the other motorists. Unfortunately, some officers are unwilling to try. In cases where the police were of no help, our firm could investigate your accident in order to track down the responsible party. We will use the details you provide as well as conducting an investigation of your own. For example, we can reach out to nearby businesses to see if the crash was recorded on security cameras. These efforts could provide us with identifiers such as the fleeing party’s license plate,.
- Evaluating Your Injuries
Our lawyers can do more than just get to the bottom of how your crash occurred and who was responsible. We will also carefully review the extent of your physical injuries and other losses to determine what your case might be worth.
- Reviewing Your Insurance Policy
Your insurance policy could help you recover compensation following a hit-and-run accident. However, the extent of your coverage and the terms of your policy ultimately will determine what options are available. If your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, we can review your coverage and assist you with filing a claim.
- Negotiate With Lawyers and Adjusters
A negotiated settlement may be possible in your case. Whether you are pursuing a lawsuit against the other driver or an insurance claim with your own carrier, our team can negotiate on your behalf. Settlement offers in these cases are commonplace, but they are not always worth accepting. We can provide you with context to help you understand whether an offer is fair.
- Filing a Lawsuit on Your Behalf
If we cannot secure a reasonable settlement in your case, litigation might be your next and best option. We can file the lawsuit on your behalf and represent you through every stage of litigation. We will ensure that you are prepared every step of the way.
- Answering Your Questions
This process can be confusing under the best of circumstances. When you have been hurt by a hit-and-run driver, pursuing justice can become even more frustrating. Our firm is committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. We will answer your questions regarding your rights, the extent of your insurance coverage, and the legal system in general. We are always available to answer your inquiries or to offer guidance on the next steps
Let Mabra Law Help – Contact an Atlanta Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney Today
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run accident, it is crucial that you are aware of your options. You could be entitled to compensation, and the right attorney could answer your questions regarding the best way to secure a favorable outcome.
At Mabra Law, we understand the stress and worry that can follow these incidents. We know that a driver fleeing the scene adds an extra layer of concern, especially when you have been injured. We will work tirelessly to help you get the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us right away for a free consultation with an Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorney.