Atlanta Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me

WHY CHOOSE ROSS MOORE LAW TO MANAGE YOUR ACCIDENT CASE?

• Years of Georgia Law Legal Experience
• Won Multi-Million Dollar Settlements for Accident Victims Throughout Georgia
• You Only Pay Us If We Win Your Case
• Available 24/7 by Phone
• We Handle Your Entire Claim on Your Behalf – Speaking to Insurance Company to Gathering Evidence & Beyond

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5 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT

STEP ONE: REMAIN AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE

If you’ve been in a hit-and-run accident, immediately call 911 and report any injuries. Stay in a safe location and wait for emergency services to arrive.

STEP TWO: GET WITNESS INFORMATION

Gather as many details as you can from all parties involved. This includes passengers and witnesses to the accident. If it is possible, try to get the following information from all parties:

• Name
• Contact information (phone number, address, driver’s license number, etc.)
• Insurance information (company, policy number, etc.)
• Details of the hit-and-run vehicle (tag number, make/model, etc.)

STEP THREE: DOCUMENT THE ACCIDENT

Take as many photos and videos of the scene as you can. Get pictures of the property damage, both your vehicle and others involved, and any injuries. Capture as many details as you possibly can and don’t solely rely on the accident report for key information.

STEP FOUR: SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Whether or not you believe you’ve been injured, seek medical attention. If emergency medical care is on the scene, get checked out there. If they’re not present, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries do not show signs or symptoms until hours or days down the road, and refusing medical attention could negatively affect your health and your accident case.

STEP FIVE: CONTACT A GEORGIA HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT LAWYER

Lastly, seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle your case. Don’t try to tackle the insurance company on your own, and talk with your attorney before speaking to the insurance company. Our dedicated hit-and-run accident attorneys in Atlanta, GA are here to help and address the insurance company on your behalf and help you get the compensation you deserve.

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HOW TO FILE AN HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT CLAIM?

As a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may have legal options to recover damages and receive maximum compensation. At Ross Moore Law, we’re experienced in handling the complexities of these cases and are here to help. We provide a free initial consultation to examine the details of your case, discuss your legal rights, and recommend legal options. Our dedicated team will manage the entire claims process for you.

Our Georgia personal injury law firm will handle details like exploring your eligible coverage, communicating with the insurance company, collecting evidence for the trial, and taking care of any additional steps to aid in the success of your case. If you have experienced a hit and run accident in Georgia, contact Ross Moore Law for a free consultation!

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WHO PAYS FOR THE DAMAGES AFTER HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT?

In a hit-and-run accident, the responsibility typically falls on your own insurance company when it comes to paying expenses. If you feel like this creates some adversity between you and your insurance company, that is normal. While your insurance policy is there to protect you, the insurance company is armed with powerful lawyers whose jobs are to protect the insurance company. That’s why a trusted attorney team, like Ross Moore Law, is an important piece to getting the money you need.

If Driver is Caught:

Your Atlanta accident attorney can pursue a personal injury suit against the hit-and-run driver. The at-fault driver or their insurance company can be found responsible for your medical costs, lost wages due to the accident, and pain and suffering. In addition, the at-fault driver can be sued for punitive damages which punish them for their dangerous, deliberate, and conscious decision to flee the scene.

If Driver is Not Caught:

In this case, your personal insurance company should be responsible for your compensation. The state of Georgia refers to this driver as a “phantom driver,” and phantom drivers are typically covered by your auto insurer with uninsured motorist coverage. You most likely have this coverage but contact your insurance company to be sure.

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WHY DRIVERS ILLEGALLY FLEE THE SCENE OF HIT AND RUN

It’s unfortunately common for a driver to flee the scene of a hit-and-run accident, and there are several reasons why a driver may leave following an accident:

• The driver was uninsured.
• The driver was driving with a suspended license or no license.
• The vehicle was stolen.
• The driver was an undocumented immigrant.
• The driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Fear of criminal prosecution.

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PENALTIES FOR LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT IN GEORGIA

Most of the time, Georgia law rules a hit-and-run charge as a misdemeanor, but in specific cases, the court may charge the driver with a felony. Hit-and-run drivers who receive felony charges most likely fled the scene of an accident where a serious injury or fatality occurred.

Georgia law states that any drivers involved in an accident must stop at the scene and exchange information. This includes name, contact information, driver’s license information, registration, and insurance information (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270). Additionally, this statute requires the driver to assist the injured parties and render aid, such as calling for emergency services or taking the injured parties to a medical facility. If the driver fails to comply with this statute and flees the scene that is when the hit-and-run becomes a felony.

If the accident resulted in any injuries, they must be reported to both law enforcement and your insurance company as soon as possible, especially if it is a hit-and-run situation. Remember to collect witnesses’ contact information and any details they can recall about the hit-and-run vehicle to help the authorities track down the driver.

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IMPORTANCE OF UNINSURED MOTORIST INSURANCE DURING A HIT AND RUN CLAIM

In most hit-and-run accidents, your compensation is generally handled by your own insurance company. This is usually possible with uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage includes bodily injury coverage to assist with medical costs, and property damage coverage to assist with costs of repairs to your vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage is typically affordable, but the protection it can provide is priceless. Talk to your insurance company about adding it to your policy if you don’t already have it.

COMMON TYPES OF HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS

Many Atlanta hit-and-run accident attorneys represent victims in a variety of situations. The NHTSA report shows these are the most common types of hit-and-run accidents:

• A driver hits a parked car and leaves without notice.
• A driver hits another vehicle, causing injuries and property damage.
• A driver hits a pedestrian or bicyclist, causing injuries and property damage. One in five pedestrian deaths is attributed to hit-and-run accidents.

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DAMAGES YOU CAN RECOVER AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT

• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Property damages
• Pain and suffering
• Other intangible losses
• Punitive damages

According to Georgia law, punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of malicious, wanton, fraudulent, or negligent behavior with a disregard of health and safety displayed by the defendant (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1(a)). If it was clear to any ordinary person that an accident had taken place and injury had occurred, punitive damages could be recovered for a hit-and-run accident.

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HOW MUCH COMPENSATION DO I GET AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT IN GEORGIA?

Although our attorney team has recovered multi-million-dollar settlements for accident cases, each case has its own unique details determining its value. When considering what constitutes a fair settlement, we will evaluate your:

• Condition’s severity.
• Necessary medical treatment.
• Day-to-day function.
• Pain levels.
• Ability to work.
• Recovery period.

Property damage will also be assessed by looking at receipts, invoices, and medical bills to determine the cost of your damages.

If the driver of your hit-and-run accident is located, then you can file a claim against their insurance company. You will have to provide evidence that the driver caused the accident, but they can also be found liable for leaving the scene by a court of law. This can actually make it easier for you to receive compensation from the offender. In the event that the hit-and-run driver cannot be located, your personal uninsured motorist coverage will be your means of compensation.

If you are a pedestrian or bicyclist involved in a hit-and-run accident, it’s still possible to use your uninsured motorist coverage. This policy provides coverage whether you were in a car or using the road as a pedestrian or bicyclist. In addition, if you were living with a family member at the time of the accident, you can utilize their uninsured motorist coverage, as well.

Filing a claim with your uninsured motorist coverage is similar to filing a claim with another driver’s insurance company. In this case, your own insurance company is acting as your adversary. It still remains important to seek legal counsel, even when filing a claim with your own insurance agency.

WRONGFUL DEATH IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT IN GEORGIA

At Ross Moore Law, our hearts are with those who have tragically lost a loved one to an irresponsible hit-and-run driver. We understand how difficult this time can be and we are here to help. Let us assist you in seeking justice and accountability by filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia.

Our Atlanta-area team is able to negotiate settlements with insurance companies and help with financial compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. In addition, we can provide grief counseling, emotional support, and guidance throughout this difficult process.

If you have lost a loved one in a hit and run accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses, such as funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more. At Ross Moore Law, we are always here for you and your family, and our experienced wrongful death accident lawyers will handle every aspect of your case with ease, offering trusted legal advice and support as you seek justice for your beloved.

Legal Counsel for Wrongful Death

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HOW TO PROVE A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT IN GEORGIA

If you intend to make an uninsured motorist claim, you will have to prove to your insurance company that there was in fact another vehicle involved, the driver is unknown, and the phantom driver is at fault.

If your vehicle was struck in the accident, you must be able to show that the other vehicle made contact with yours. This can be proven with evidence of property damage. If physical contact was not made with the hit-and-run vehicle, but their negligent, erratic driving caused your accident, you will need a credible witness to testify on your behalf (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11(b)(2)).

If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, here are some things you can do following the accident that can help your claim:

• Call 911
• Write down as much as you recall about the other driver, including gender, age, facial characteristics, weight, or any other identifying characteristics, and details about the vehicle that hit you, including any portion of the license plate, color of the car, and its make and model. Do this as soon as you can.
• Obtain witnesses’ contact information and ask that they also give it to the police.
• Take photos of the property damage to your car, the location where it came to rest, and any injuries endured, including those of your passengers if they are present.
• Provide the police with as much information as possible.
• Get medical care as soon as possible and do not refuse care by EMTs. It’s important to have your injuries documented and confirmed.

Oftentimes, law enforcement can successfully find the vehicle that fled the scene by canvassing nearby neighborhoods and asking people to call in any tips or notice new property damage on a neighbor’s vehicle. If the accident resulted in serious injury or a fatality, the hit-and-run driver may turn themselves to accept responsibility or minimize liability.

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HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT STATISTICS IN THE U.S.

These statistics were found by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, outlining facts about hit-and-run accidents in the U.S.:

• Hit-and-run crashes are when a driver leaves the scene of a car accident without providing personal information or helping out anyone involved.
• 7% of all motor vehicle accidents in the US are hit-and-run crashes.
• 1 in 5 pedestrian fatalities are hit-and-run crashes.
• About 23% of hit-and-run drivers have been found to have had alcohol in their system. Males are more likely to be involved in hit-and-run crashes than females.
• Young drivers are more likely to flee the scene of a crash than older drivers.
• Drivers with no license are more likely to flee the scene of a crash than drivers with a valid license.
• Most of these crashes occur in urban areas, at night, and over the weekend.
• The most common way to reduce the risk of hit-and-run crashes is to use red light cameras.