Being in a car accident can be life-altering. Whether you walked away unscathed, or you had a whole host of injuries that required a lengthy hospital stay, a car accident can be pretty traumatizing for both drivers and all passengers inside the vehicles. However, a hit-and-run accident can add an additional sense of worry when you’re involved in a car crash.
It’s hard to imagine that a driver would be so irresponsible to leave the scene of the accident, but it occurs more often than we’d like to think.
If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, it can be difficult to know what your next steps are—especially if you are trying to seek compensation for your injuries and your vehicle damage.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT?
After you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, the first thing you should do is call the police and file a police report (assuming that your injuries are not life-threatening and you require immediate hospitalization).
The police may be able to track down the driver who fled the scene—especially if you or any other witnesses wrote down or took a photo of their license plate number or know details of the make and model of the car. In their report, the police will be able to take down details of the crash, what caused the crash, and note that a negligent driver left the scene.
If the police are able to track down the driver, you are going to need the police report to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. You will also need a copy of the police report if you are trying to file a claim with your own insurance company.
HOW DO I RECEIVE COMPENSATION AFTER A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT?
If the police track down the person who fled the scene of the accident, you could be eligible for compensation for medical bills and/or lost wages by filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company. If the driver did not have insurance, you could possibly obtain a civil judgment against the driver, assuming you could identify him or her.
Fleeing the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in the state of Georgia. If the driver is charged criminally, you may be able to get compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage repair, or lost wages as part of their restitution.
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident is not something you can really prepare for, which is why you’re going to need a legal team that understands your needs and your rights. If you have been in a hit-and-run accident in Georgia, learn more information about how the Fry Law team can help you and set up a consultation today.
