What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia

An accident is always a traumatic experience, especially when you or a family member has suffered significant or even grave injuries. But when an accident was caused by another driver and that driver speeds away before the dust even settles on an accident scene it’s even more disturbing. Then, when an accident victim seeks compensation it quickly becomes further distressing under Georgia’s at-fault insurance laws. In an at-fault state like Georgia, accident victims must file claims against the party at fault in an accident rather than from their own insurance provider.

Nearly 11% of car crashes in Georgia are hit-and-run accidents, but there are steps you can take after a hit-and-run to protect your physical and financial well-being.

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

It can be very challenging to remain calm in the aftermath of an accident, especially if you or your loved ones are injured. If you’re seriously injured, you may be unable to do anything other than wait for emergency services to arrive and help you, but if you are able to use your phone and move around safely there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Alternatively, you can hand your phone to an uninjured person and ask them to do the following:

• If possible, take a photo of the at-fault driver as they’re fleeing the scene, focusing on the license tag of their vehicle
• Call 911 to report the accident
• Take photos of the accident scene and all involved vehicles
• Take photos of anything relevant to the accident that shows fault, such as traffic signs and signals
• Record details of the accident, vehicle, and driver description into your phone to capture the memories while they are fresh, since trauma sometimes causes later fuzziness
• Give the police a detailed description of the color, make, and model of the hit-and-run vehicle and a description of the driver if you’re able, and share any photos of the vehicle that you were able to capture

After you accept a ride with emergency services to a hospital, undergo a complete medical evaluation. Be sure to tell your doctor about every symptom, even if it seems minor. Then do the following:

• Ask for a copy of the doctor’s report detailing your injuries, recommended treatment, and prognosis
• Follow all of your doctor’s instructions carefully and keep copies of your medical bills
• Ask for a copy of the accident report
• Call an personal injury attorney in Atlanta, GA with experience in hit-and-run accidents in Georgia to investigate the circumstances of your accident and insurance status.

Damages After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia

Your Atlanta car accident attorney is the best resource for investigating the details of the accident and determining the best way to file a claim. You may be able to file a claim against your own insurance if you have collision coverage. In most cases, uninsured motorist insurance will not cover a hit-and-run unless the police identify the at-fault driver and determine that he doesn’t have insurance coverage. In the majority of cases, the police eventually locate the at-fault driver, in which case, either their coverage or your own uninsured motorist coverage will provide compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses and future medical expenses for ongoing treatment or care
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Any other appropriate non-economic damages like emotional trauma and punitive damages. 

In some hit-and-run cases, the state allows claims for punitive damages. Punitive damages serve as a form of punishment and deterrent to the hit-and-run driver while also maximizing the amount of financial recovery for the plaintiff in the case.