Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Gainesville, GA

Car accidents happen in an instant and before you have time to even realize what’s happened, the other driver can just speed off. Fleeing the scene of a crash is illegal, but that doesn’t stop some irresponsible drivers from doing it.

You did the right (and legal) thing, though, and stayed at the accident site—especially if you were badly injured by the collision. But if the other driver disappeared, what are you supposed to do? How will you be able to get compensated or prove who was at fault?

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents happen all the time in Gainesville. If you’re badly injured from your accident and aren’t sure who to turn to for answers, The Scott Pryor Law Group is here to help. Our attorneys can take on your hit-and-run case to help you pursue compensation and start your recovery process.

• What to Expect When You Work with Our Gainesville Attorneys
• Georgia Hit-and-Run Accident Laws You Need to Know
• Investigating Hit-and-Run Accidents
  • What Happens if the Hit-and-Run Driver Can’t Be Found?
• Compensation You Can Collect After a Hit-and-Run
  • Economic Damages
  • Non-Economic Damages
  • Punitive Damages
• We’ll Help You Recover from a Hit-and-Run Crash

What to Expect When You Work with Our Gainesville Attorneys

Our Gainesville attorneys have worked with hit-and-run victims before, so we’re familiar with which strategies may work best.

Some of the benefits of hiring The Scott Pryor Law Group are:

• Thorough explanation of your legal options
• Helping you understand the complex legal issues of your case
• Full investigation of your accident
• Gathering evidence, collecting police reports, and contacting experts for testimonies
• Negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf
• Communication with other attorneys on your behalf
• Filing all court documentation and necessary paperwork
• Answering all of your questions as quickly and thoroughly as we can

Unlike your insurance company, we put your needs and interests first. Our goal is always working to make you “whole” again, by getting you a reasonable compensation package for your injuries. We’re dedicated to your recovery.

Georgia Hit-and-Run Accident Laws You Need to Know

Georgia makes it illegal to hit and run and anyone who does it can be charged with a crime. Just because a negligent driver gets arrested and charged, however, doesn’t mean you can’t file a civil personal injury claim against them.

The criminal case holds the hit-and-run driver responsible with fines and possible jail time and the civil suit recovers monetary damages for you, the victim.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind concerning Georgia’s hit-and-run accident laws:

• Any driver who flees the scene of an auto accident can be charged with a hit-and-run crime.
• If the hit-and-run results in serious injury or death, the fleeing driver can be charged with a felony and face a minimum prison sentence of 1-5 years.
• If the accident doesn’t leave any major injuries and it’s the driver’s first offense, they can be fined $300-$1,000, be placed on probation, and face up to one year in prison.
• Drivers who stay on the scene but don’t provide their contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number can potentially be considered guilty of a hit-and-run.
• Drivers who cause severe injury, death, or over $500 in property damage and don’t wait until law enforcement arrives before leaving the scene of the crash can potentially be considered guilty of a hit-and-run.

Investigating Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents can be trickier to deal with than collisions where the drivers involved stay on the scene. If a driver flees, and you didn’t happen to see what type of car they had, the license plate number, or any other identifying information, it can be very difficult for law enforcement to track them down.

In some cases, a hit-and-run crash occurs near a surveillance camera on a traffic light or private business, and law enforcement can use the footage from the time and date of the crash to help identify the fleeing driver. Dash cam footage from your vehicle or another vehicle nearby could prove useful too.

Some other ways law enforcement track down hit-and-runners is:

• Examining vehicle debris to determine the type of car
• Getting accounts from eyewitnesses, if any
• Checking social media or forums for tips
• Searching in the vehicle registration database

What Happens if the Hit-and-Run Driver Can’t Be Found?

You can still recover compensation, even if the driver who fled the scene can’t be identified. You may be able to use uninsured motorist coverage or collision coverage.

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This can cover costs associated with injuries and may be able to cover property damage, depending on the details in your policy. Georgia insurance companies are required to offer this coverage to drivers, but drivers are allowed to opt out in writing. So if you didn’t opt out of yours, you probably have uninsured motorist coverage.
• Collision Coverage: This type of insurance coverage can help pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in a hit-and-run, no matter who’s at fault. This coverage isn’t standard, however. Insurers make it optional so you might not have it.

Compensation You Can Collect After a Hit-and-Run

We can’t tell you the value of your case until we’ve had a chance to learn about your hit-and-run accident. Factors like the severity of your injuries, the extent of the property damages, whether the at-fault driver has been identified, and where the accident occurred all affect the amount of compensation you may be entitled to.

The Scott Pryor Law Group can examine your claim and let you know what kind of damages you can pursue. There are usually economic and non-economic damages with hit-and-run claims.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are any financial losses related to your accident. Examples are:

• Lost wages from missed work
• Emergency medical care expenses
• Lost future earning capacity if you can’t return to work
• Doctor’s appointments and other medical costs
• Prescription medications
• Surgical costs
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Counseling
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Not all losses are financial, but you can still be compensated for them if they’re considered serious or life-changing. Money can’t make up for things like pain and suffering or permanent disability, but it represents an important step toward justice or “wholeness.”

Examples of non-economic damages in hit-and-run cases are:

• Chronic pain
• Catastrophic injury
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium (loss of intimacy and companionship)
• Loss of limb
• Mental anguish
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death

Punitive Damages

There’s a third type of damages you may be able to receive, depending on the nature of your case. Punitive damages might apply in your situation if the at-fault driver was found to be grossly negligent in the accident. The judge or jury in your case may order the at-fault driver to pay an additional amount to discourage this kind of behavior in the future.

We’ll Help You Recover from a Hit-and-Run Crash

A hit-and-run accident is devastating, confusing, and overwhelming. You might feel helpless without an identified driver, but you can still take action and pursue justice. The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you do it.

We know that this is more than just a legal case for you. It’s a personal journey to recovery. It’s getting fair compensation for what you’ve suffered so you can start living your life again. Our compassionate team is ready to advocate for you, whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court.

Our Gainesville hit-and-run attorneys handle the legal proceedings, keeping your case on track, so you can worry about your injuries. We’re committed to helping you pursue justice at every step of the process.

Start your recovery journey today by contacting The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation.