Compared with all car accident situations, being injured by a hit-and-run driver has to be one of the most frustrating. You don’t know how to find the person responsible. You don’t know if you will be able to get assistance paying for your medical bills and damage to your car. You don’t know if there’s any way to seek compensation for the pain you’ve suffered or to meet your needs for the future.
But a Decatur car accident lawyer can help. A dedicated personal injury lawyer who understands the dynamics of hit-and-run incidents in Decatur could work to help you find the responsible party and demonstrate their liability. At Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, our compassionate legal team can help you work with insurance companies and medical providers so that you are able to obtain the care and financial resources you need after Decatur hit-and-run incidents. We put clients first, and we’re here to help you from start to finish.
When is a Car Accident Considered a Hit-and-Run Incident?
A motor vehicle accident is considered a hit-and-run incident when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene of the accident without giving contact information such as their name, license number, and insurance company. The collision could involve a motor vehicle hitting a pedestrian or bicyclist or a vehicle hitting another vehicle. Georgia law requires a driver to stay at the scene of an accident any time there is:
- Injury
- Death
- Damage to a vehicle
The driver is supposed to provide their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle they are driving, and they are supposed to show their driver’s license if asked. In addition, the law requires the driver to provide “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured in the accident, including transporting them to the doctor or hospital if requested. If an accident victim is not conscious, the driver is supposed to ensure that emergency services are contacted. The driver is not supposed to leave the scene until they have fulfilled all of these obligations.
Moreover, in these situations, or when the collision results in property damage of $500 or more, the driver is also supposed to report the incident to the local police, county sheriff, or state police. But instead of following these requirements, many drivers flee quickly without checking to see if anyone needs assistance. Often they panic, and fear causes them to run without thinking about the consequences.
Drivers who fail to follow the requirements of the law at an accident scene are guilty of a crime. Hit-and-run drivers can be sentenced to jail time and required to pay substantial fines. How does this help an accident victim? First, it provides police with an incentive to investigate and locate the hit-and-run driver. Second, once the driver is located, a criminal conviction can make it easier to demonstrate liability so that you can recover compensation for your losses.
What Should You Do if the Other Driver Flees the Scene of the Accident?
Even when the other driver behaves illegally and irresponsibly, that should not impact your actions. You should not try to chase them, although it would be helpful to try to take a photo if you can. Write down or record any memories of the accident as soon as possible, even if you didn’t see who hit you. Your recollections could prove valuable later.
Call for emergency assistance immediately, regardless of whether you notice injuries. Explain the accident and apparent damage or injuries, and then wait for police to arrive. Tell the police about as many details as you can remember, and take photos of the accident scene, including damage to your vehicle, skid marks, and any property damage. Preserving information now can help the police locate the driver and help you later in proving liability.
Collect contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident and ask them to speak to the police. Bystanders often feel a great sense of outrage when they see someone flee the scene of an accident, so they may be more likely to take photos of the vehicle or provide detailed accounts to the police. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from strangers in this type of situation because they often want to be of assistance to help you achieve justice.
Get a thorough medical exam as soon as possible after the accident, even if you feel “fine” or just a little “shaken up.” The rush of adrenaline after a hit-and-run accident can hide a variety of symptoms, and many injuries do not become apparent right away, even when they are serious. Have a doctor check you for injuries, and if you notice new symptoms later, go back and report them. Traumatic brain injuries, damage to internal organs, and other potentially life-threatening injuries often do not reveal any symptoms until hours or even days later, and these symptoms can be subtle. Make sure that the doctor examining you is aware that you were in a collision, so they know to be on the lookout for these types of injuries.
After receiving the medical care you need, it is a good idea to consult an experienced Decatur car accident lawyer for advice. The right attorney can guide you through the steps necessary to ensure your physical, mental, and financial recovery after a hit-and-run accident. At Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, we offer personalized assistance because we work with clients on an individual basis, but we have the experience of a large law firm company and know how to stand up to insurance companies.
Finding Hit-and-Run Drivers
Police in the Decatur area are busy, so it can be helpful to work with an attorney who is prepared to assist in locating and identifying drivers responsible for Decatur hit-and-run incidents. Your attorney could help with taking photographs and locating witnesses to assist in the investigation. Your attorney will know how to cooperate with police to share information and avoid any actions that could interfere with the official investigation.
Hit-and-run accidents sometimes leave telltale signs of damage on the vehicle of the driver responsible. Sometimes, the license plate is damaged, dislodged, or even knocked off completely. Traffic cameras often capture hit-and-run incidents or show the vehicles approaching or leaving the scene of an accident. Between witness accounts, video footage, and physical evidence, it is easier than ever before for police to identify and locate hit-and-run drivers.
While it can be frustrating to wait for the conclusion of an investigation and criminal action, these factors can make it easier for your attorney to prove your case and can allow a seasoned Decatur car accident lawyer to seek additional damages due to the trauma of abandonment after the accident and injuries.
Pursuing Compensation from Your Own Insurance Company
If you have certain types of coverage under your own motor vehicle insurance policy, your insurance provider could be responsible for paying for at least some of your losses. However, you will need to comply with the requirements in your policy, including notification requirements. Our team can assist with the notification process. In addition, if your insurer refuses to pay or offers less than they should, we can work to ensure that the insurance company lives up to its legal obligations. Insurance companies operate to make money, and they do so by paying out as little as possible. They often try to deny paying or reduce the value of the claim unless the policyholder raises appropriate objections.
The most common type of coverage that provides assistance for your own injuries and property damage in a hit-and-run incident is UM/UIM coverage, which stands for uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage. While this coverage is designed to assist those who are hurt by drivers who are either not insured or who lack enough insurance to cover all the losses, UM/UIM coverage can also provide benefits in the case of a hit-and-run accident.
Georgia law does not require drivers to pay for UM/UIM coverage unless they are paying off a loan on their vehicle. However, insurance companies are required to offer this type of insurance coverage, and they are supposed to require drivers to take deliberate action to reject this coverage if they don’t want it. As a practical matter, many drivers end up rejecting or limiting uninsured motorist coverage without realizing it. We can review your policy to see whether you have coverage to protect you in case of an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.
Let Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC Help You Gain Justice and Fair Compensation After a Hit-and-Run
When someone causes a car accident, they damage you and your life. Leaving without trying to help adds insult to injury. At Michael M. Day Law Firm, LLC, we work to hold drivers responsible for Decatur hit-and-run incidents, and we fight to obtain the compensation you need to rebuild your life and move forward. You don’t need to wait to call a Decatur car accident lawyer. Instead, contact us to get a free consultation and put our team to work for you right away. To get started, call 404-480-4284 or contact us online today.