Hit & Run Car Accident Lawsuit Lawyers

Common Issues with Hit-and-Run Car Accidents

Although Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270) requires drivers involved in a car accident to stop, exchange information (e.g., name, registration, address, insurance, driver's license), and render assistance, if needed, many drivers still disregard the law. When a driver flees the scene of an accident, he has committed the offense of "hit and run." Hit-and-run accidents may create serious issues for the others involved in the crash. Even further, hit-and-run drivers can make it difficult for accident victims to recover compensation for injuries and property damage.

Hit-and-Run Drivers May Flee the Scene for the Following Reasons:

• An intoxicated hit-and-run driver was unaware that the accident occurred;

• An intoxicated hit-and-run driver feared arrest;

• The hit-and-run driver doesn't have a driver's license and fears arrest;

• The hit-and-run driver drove while distracted and feared arrest;

• The hit-and-run driver feared deportation; and/or

• The hit-and-run driver fled because she did not have insurance.

In many cases, the hit-and-run driver will only face criminal charges because he fled the scene of an accident. Unfortunately, some hit-and-run drivers ended up facing serious criminal charges (e.g., manslaughter) because the victim died without emergency medical services being called.

If you are involved in a hit-and-run crash, try to take down the following information from the scene:

• The color, make, and model of the motor vehicle that hit you;

• The license plate number, state, and county of the hit-and-run driver's vehicle;

• The location where the hit-and-run vehicle hit you;

• Where the hit-and-run vehicle struck you;

• Witness names and contact information;

• A physical description of the hit-and-run driver (e.g., race, sex, skin color, hair color, and clothing worn by the hit-and-run driver);

• The direction the car traveled after the crash; and

• Any distinguishing features of the hit-and-run vehicle (e.g., damage to the vehicle, bumper stickers, customized features on the car).

The above information should be given to law enforcement to help accident investigators and your accident injury attorney locate and serve the driver with a civil lawsuit. In normal circumstances, injury victims may be able to pursue an accident claim against the at-fault driver, however, the injury victim might need to file a claim under their own car accident insurance carrier through uninsured motorist coverage, if available, to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

If you or a loved one is a victim of a hit-and-run driver, The McPhillip Firm can help you. Call us 24 hours/7 days a week for a Free Consultation at (404) 999-5LAW.

You can also visit us online at www.themcphillipfirm.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form.