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If you were involved in an auto accident and the other driver fled the scene without exchanging contact and insurance information, you can still recover compensation for your accident-related damages.
At the Hines Law Firm, our hit-and-run accident lawyers can help you identify the responsible party or file a claim with your insurer. We understand how an auto accident can impact every aspect of your life, from preventing you from returning to work to requiring extensive, ongoing medical treatment. Our legal team is here to help guide you through the claims process and pursue the fair compensation you’re owed due to the negligent actions of another.
Our highly experienced lawyers will contact you for a Free Legal Consultation.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with a driver who fled the scene, you may still be able to recover compensation.
An experienced car accident attorney at the Hines Law Firm can investigate the hit-and-run car accident and work with law enforcement to identify the at-fault party.
If the negligent driver is found, they may face criminal charges and can be held financially responsible for any bodily injury and any accident-related damages.
If the driver does not have auto insurance coverage, your hit-and-run accident attorney can help you pursue compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, you may be unable to recover compensation. The negligent driver may not have the assets to cover the cost of your damages.
If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can file an insurance claim with your provider.
When you’re involved in an auto accident caused by an uninsured driver, uninsured motorist coverage can help cover the cost of your accident-related damages.
Without uninsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy, you may have to pay for medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
UM coverage provides compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In Georgia, when a driver is involved in an auto accident, they are required to stop at the accident scene, even if they hit an unoccupied vehicle.
If a driver hits an unoccupied vehicle, they must leave a note with their name, address, and contact information.
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After a hit-and-run collision, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help cover the financial and personal losses caused by the traffic accident.
Here’s a breakdown of the main types of compensation that are often available in hit-and-run cases:
Immediate Medical Costs: Covers emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and any immediate medical attention required after the accident.
Ongoing Medical Care: Includes costs for future treatments, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, follow-up doctor visits, and any long-term care necessary due to the injury.
Prescription and Medical Supplies: Reimbursement for medications, medical equipment (like braces or crutches), and other supplies needed for recovery.
Lost Income: Compensation for wages or salary you missed out on while recovering from the accident.
Loss of Future Earnings: If injuries prevent you from returning to work in the same capacity, you may be compensated for the difference in potential earnings.
Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injuries impact your ability to work or advance in your career, you may be eligible for compensation reflecting this long-term effect.
Vehicle Repair or Replacement: This covers the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident.
Personal Property: Compensation for other personal items damaged in the crash, such as electronics, clothing, or other belongings inside the vehicle at the time.
Physical Pain: Compensation for the physical discomfort and pain endured because of the accident.
Emotional Distress: If the accident has caused anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional challenges, you may be compensated for these psychological effects.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the accident and injuries have affected your ability to enjoy daily activities, hobbies, or time with your family, you may seek compensation for this impact.
Disability: If you suffer a long-term disability due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the ongoing impacts on your life and ability to work.
Disfigurement: Compensation may be available if the accident causes visible scars, loss of limbs, or other disfigurements that affect your quality of life.
In cases where injuries affect your relationship with a spouse or family members, you or your loved ones may seek compensation for loss of companionship, support, or intimacy.
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault driver is located and it’s found that their actions were especially reckless or intentional.
If the hit-and-run driver cannot be identified, you may be able to file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you have it. UM coverage can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages similar to a typical liability claim.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit after a hit-and-run accident generally depends on the type of accident claim you are pursuing.
Here’s an overview of the relevant deadlines regarding hit-and-run cases:
Time Limit: 2 years from the date of the accident
If you sustained injuries in a hit-and-run accident, Georgia law allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent parties and seek maximum compensation for your losses. This deadline applies to all personal injury claims, including those involving hit-and-run drivers.
Time Limit: 4 years from the date of the accident
For claims involving vehicle damage or other property losses, Georgia’s statute of limitations extends to four years. This gives you a longer period to seek compensation for damages from liable parties.
Time Limit: 2 years from the date of death
In cases where a hit-and-run accident results in death, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of the individual’s passing. This time frame allows surviving family members to seek compensation from the guilty party for the loss of a loved one due to the accident.
Unidentified Driver: If the hit-and-run driver is unidentified, you may need to pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM claims are often subject to the same two-year personal injury statute of limitations, but it’s wise to report such accidents and initiate the claim as soon as possible.
Minor Victims: If the injured party was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. In Georgia, the two-year clock for personal injury claims generally begins when the minor turns 18.
Even with these timeframes, it’s best to start the claims process as soon as possible after being involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Evidence, such as witness statements and surveillance footage, can become harder to obtain as time passes, and initiating a claim promptly strengthens your case.
If you’re unsure how the statute of limitations applies to your case, a dedicated attorney can help you understand the specific deadlines for your automobile accident circumstances.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, following the steps below can help protect your health, your rights, and your claim:
Move your car off the road and check if you or another party in the vehicle was injured. If anyone was injured, contact 911. If no one was injured, contact the non-emergency police number.
Wait for law enforcement to arrive at the scene. Provide only the facts and do not admit fault. Be as descriptive as possible regarding what the driver looked like and provide information regarding the vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number if you wrote it down.
Write down everything you can remember about the other vehicle and the driver while the information is still fresh. If anyone witnessed the accident, obtain their names and contact information. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
Even if you do not believe you sustained any serious injuries, you must have a medical professional evaluate you.
Some injuries do not present symptoms for several hours or days following an accident. Make sure you keep the medical bills and treatment instructions.
This documentation can help tie your injuries to the accident and prove the extent of your injuries.
Notify your insurance company that you were involved in a hit-and-run accident. Most insurance companies require their policyholders to notify them of an accident 24-72 hours following a collision.
Accident victims should contact a skilled car accident attorney at the Hines Law Firm to schedule a free initial consultation.
An experienced personal injury attorney will discuss the details of the hit-and-run crash, as well as provide legal guidance during this challenging time.
At the Hines Law Firm, our legal team has handled many accident claims that have involved the following types of injuries:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Neck injuries
Spinal cord damage
Nerve damage
Back injuries
Chest injuries
Amputation
Broken bones/bone fractures
Crush injuries
Internal organ damage
Leg and arm injuries
Soft tissue damage
Whiplash
Facial injuries
Dental injuries
When assessing your damages, your experienced attorney will review your medical records and may consult with experts to determine the cost of medical treatment and what your medical needs will be in the future, depending on the severity of your injuries and your prognosis.
Our goal is to ensure you receive the compensation you need to continue to receive medical treatment now and in the future.
Our highly experienced lawyers will contact you for a Free Legal Consultation.
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident that was caused by a negligent driver, contact a hit-and-run accident lawyer at the Hines Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. Let our legal team guide you through the complex legal process, every step of the way and recover the compensation you deserve, as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more.
We assure clients that we provide knowledgeable, committed legal solutions for them.
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