Hit and Run Accidents
If you’ve recently been a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may be feeling frustrated, angry, and confused. Worse, depending on the accident’s severity, you may be dealing with painful injuries and have a long road to recovery ahead.
Hit-and-run accidents are prevalent throughout major cities like Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs. Perpetrators believe they can slip away from their accident scenes unnoticed and pretend like the damage never occurred, avoiding any consequences. However, they often leave significant property damage and severe injuries in their wake.
Hiring a College Park hit-and-run accident attorney can help you move forward from your accident, locate the perpetrator, and seek compensation. Contact our team at The Foster Firm today to schedule a case evaluation and begin the compensation process.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Hit-and-run car accidents occur when the responsible party flees the scene without providing contact information. As a result, the victim has no way to contact them to submit an insurance claim, leaving the victim financially responsible for the damages.
Hit-and-run accidents are not only frustrating, but they’re also against the law. According to Georgia Code § 40-6, drivers who collide with another vehicle must make every attempt to locate and notify the vehicle owner. When drivers cause an accident that results in injuries, they must stop their car, give their contact information, and provide assistance.
However, at-fault drivers often fail to meet these requirements. They may flee the accident scene if they do not want to be liable for financial damages. They may also escape if they have drugs or other illegal substances in their vehicles that they do not want authorities to discover.
Examples of Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents can take several different forms. These accidents can occur when:
- A driver strikes a pedestrian and drives away
- A driver hits an unattended vehicle and flees
- A driver strikes someone’s property other than a vehicle and leaves the scene
- A driver collides with another driver and doesn’t stop
In all of these cases, the at-fault driver leaves the accident scene without providing contact information.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
In a typical car accident, you could recover damages from the at-fault driver. However, in a hit-and-run accident, you may not know who the at-fault driver is or how to contact them.
If you cannot locate the at-fault party, you may be able to receive compensation from your own insurance company. You’ll want to check with your insurer to review your coverage and determine if you have uninsured motorist coverage, which would cover you in the event that the at-fault party does not have insurance.
However, at The Foster Firm, we’re committed to helping clients like you locate the at-fault driver and receive the compensation they need to move forward. We have resources to help find the perpetrator and investigate the details surrounding the accident. We can also help you understand all of your options for receiving financial assistance.
What To Do If You Are Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Car accidents can be stressful, and you may not be able to think clearly following your accident. However, taking the proper measures can improve your case outcomes.
Here are a few steps you should follow after a hit-and-run accident:
- Write down as many details about the driver as you can, such as:
- The make and model of their car
- The color of their car
- Their general appearance
- Any digits you can remember from their license plate
- Contact the police to file a police report.
- Talk to any witnesses of the accident to determine if they remembered any more details.
- Record details about the accident, such as:
- Where it occurred
- What time it occurred
- Any weather conditions
- How the driver caused the accident
- Take photos of the damage.
- Consult a hit-and-run accident lawyer.
Hiring an attorney is one of the most important steps you can take following your hit-and-run accident. An attorney can:
- Help you locate the perpetrator
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Guide you through insurance claims and lawsuits
- Improve your chances of receiving compensation
At The Foster Firm, we have extensive experience helping clients across Atlanta navigate hit-and-run accident cases. Contact us today at 404-559-8325 to schedule your complimentary consultation with an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney.