Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Sandy Springs, GA

Pedestrians and drivers on the roads and sidewalks of Sandy Springs, Georgia expect to be safe as they go about their day-to-day business. The last thing you expect when driving or walking around is to be hit by a driver who then goes on the run, trying to escape the consequences of their actions. 

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents can happen anywhere, and that includes the community of Sandy Springs. After these accidents, victims may be left with serious injuries and accident-related bills that just keep piling higher. 

We hear from hit-and-run survivors who want to know the answers to their important questions like these: 

• How can I recover financially from a hit-and-run accident if the driver flees the scene?
• What happens if we never find the driver? 
• How do I get my insurance company to give me a fair payout for my losses? 
• Am I limited to filing just a criminal or civil claim, or can I file both? 

A hit-and-run accident lawyer can answer these questions for you and help you file a claim. The Scott Pryor Law Group offers compassionate, knowledgeable legal guidance to victims of hit-and-run collisions. Contact us for a free consultation to review your case and put you on the path to recovery. 

• Hit-and-run accident laws in Georgia
• What to do after being injured in a hit-and-run in Sandy Springs
  • Move to Safety and Call 911
  • Seek Medical Treatment 
  • File a Police Report
  • Gather Evidence
  • File an Insurance Claim
  • Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney in Sandy Springs 
• What kind of compensation can you collect after a hit-and-run accident? 
  • Economic Damages 
  • Non-Economic Damages
  • Punitive Damages
• Benefits of working with a hit-and-run attorney in Sandy Springs
• Hit and Run Accident FAQs
• The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you recover from your hit-and-run crash

Hit-and-run accident laws in Georgia

Georgia’s laws are written to protect people from the actions of hit-and-run drivers. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a driver who commits a hit-and-run may be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony. 

Even if the driver is facing criminal charges, you can still file a personal injury claim against them. The criminal case holds hit-and-run drivers accountable by assigning legal guilt, fines, and possible jail time, and the civil case recovers monetary compensation for the victim(s). 

According to Georgia state law, these are the facts of hit-and-run accidents: 

• Any driver who flees the scene of an accident will be charged with the crime of hit-and-run.
• When a hit-and-run results in serious injury or death, the driver will be charged with a felony and face a minimum prison sentence of 1-5 years.
• If there are no major injuries and it is the driver’s first offense, they will be fined $300-1000, be placed on probation, and face up to one year imprisonment. 
• Drivers are required to provide their contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number; failure to do so can be considered a hit-and-run. 
• If a driver who causes severe injury, death, or over $500 in property damage and does not wait until law enforcement arrives is considered to have left the scene of the accident illegally. 

What to do after being injured in a hit-and-run in Sandy Springs

Many of the steps to take after a hit-and-run accident are the same as the steps you should take after any other accident. However, there are some key differences, because the driver may have fled immediately or in the aftermath of the crash.

Move to Safety and Call 911

As long as your car is operable and you are physically able to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic. Pull to the right shoulder of the road and call 911. You will need to wait for first responders to arrive. 

Under normal circumstances, you would use this opportunity to exchange contact information with the other driver. If they immediately flee, do your best to memorize the details of the vehicle that hit you. If you can, jot down any details before you have a chance to forget. 

Do not chase a fleeing driver! 

Seek Medical Treatment 

If you are seriously injured, you may be taken from the scene of the accident by an ambulance or even a medical helicopter. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to seek medical attention from emergency responders and follow up with your own healthcare providers. 

Keep all official documentation of your injuries, including appointment notes, medical records, discharge notes, bills, and receipts. These documents will be an important part of any legal claim you make in the aftermath of the crash. 

File a Police Report

When law enforcement responds to your 911 call, they will assess the circumstances and draw initial conclusions about the cause of the accident. They will do this by interviewing eyewitnesses, collecting physical evidence, and taking your statement. 

During this process, do not admit any fault or apologize for the accident. Unfortunately, these statements made in moments of high stress can be used to poke holes in your case later. 

Gather Evidence

The police will gather evidence from the scene of the accident, but you can, too. Take photos and videos of the scene, if it is physically safe to do so. If there are witnesses, collect their contact information so that you or your attorney can contact them later. 

File an Insurance Claim

In most accidents, injured parties can file a claim against the insurance of the at-fault party. However, this doesn’t always work in a hit-and-run accident, because you may not be able to identify the other driver. 

The good news is that even if you cannot locate the other driver, you can still start the insurance process with your own provider. Then, once the driver is found and identified, your insurance company will be responsible for negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurer. 

If the other driver fled because they don’t have insurance, you may still be covered under your own uninsured or underinsured driver policy.

Contact a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney in Sandy Springs 

You can contact a hit-and-run attorney even before your insurance claim is finalized. In fact, because insurance companies may try to invalidate your claim or offer you a very low settlement, it is a good idea to work with a personal injury attorney before you agree to a settlement from your insurer. 

The problem is that once you have agreed to a settlement offer, you no longer have a legal path to compensation. A hit-and-run attorney from The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you understand your options. 

What kind of compensation can you collect after a hit-and-run accident? 

It is difficult to estimate how much your case may be worth because the value of a case is dependent on many unique factors. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney, like the ones at The Scott Pryor Law Group, can evaluate your case and help you understand what compensation you may be able to collect. 

Georgia law allows you to collect compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages in some situations. 

Economic Damages 

Any financial losses related to your accident are categorized into economic damages. This includes:  

• Lost wages from missed work
• Lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work
• Emergency medical care expenses
• Follow-up doctor’s appointments and other medical care costs
• Prescription medications
• Surgical costs
• Physical therapy
• Other therapies (occupational, mental health, etc.) 
• Property damage 

Non-Economic Damages

Not all losses are financial, and yet they are still serious and life-changing. 

Financial compensation cannot make up for losses like pain, suffering, and permanent disability, but an experienced attorney can help you get compensation for these losses nonetheless. This is a step in the right direction toward justice or wholeness. 

Some examples of non-economic damages include: 

• Catastrophic Injury
• Chronic Pain
• Disfigurement
• Emotional Trauma
• Loss of Consortium (the loss of intimacy and companionship)
• Loss of Limb
• Mental Anguish
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Wrongful Death

Punitive Damages

Lastly, punitive damages may be a part of your case, if the driver engaged in an act of gross negligence when causing the accident. In these situations, the state may pursue punitive damages from the at-fault driver. A judge or jury can increase the total compensation award or settlement by assigning punitive damages, which are called “vindictive damages” in Georgia. 

Benefits of working with a hit-and-run attorney in Sandy Springs

Personal injury attorneys who have hit-and-run experience can provide you with legal guidance to help you cope with the aftermath of your accident. 

These are some of the benefits of choosing a Sandy Springs hit-and-run lawyer. Your attorney can: 

• Explain your legal options
• Help you understand complex legal issues related to your case
• Investigate your case
• Gather evidence, including police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and expert testimonies
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
• Communicate with other attorneys so you don’t have to
• File all documentation with the court
• Answer your questions 

Hit and Run Accident FAQs

How will my insurance company help, especially if we can’t find the hit-and-run driver? 

Your insurance company will cover your initial losses. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, that plan should pay for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. 

Is there a statute of limitations on hit-and-run accident claims in Georgia? 

In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against the other driver. The good news is that this gives you time to track down the other driver and build a case against them. The bad news is that if this time passes, you will forfeit your right to file a claim. There are a handful of exceptions to this rule, including accidents involving minors or wrongful death. The Scott Pryor Law Group is happy to answer your questions about your eligibility to file a claim. 

Can I still file a claim if I only have a partial description of the vehicle that hit me?
Yes. Even with limited information about the hit-and-run vehicle, you can still pursue a claim. Any details you can remember, such as the vehicle’s color, make, model, partial license plate number, or distinctive features, can help law enforcement locate the driver. 

Additionally, your attorney can work with investigators to gather surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, interview witnesses, and use other investigative techniques to identify the vehicle and driver. Even if the driver is never found, you may still be eligible for compensation through your own insurance coverage.

The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you recover from your hit-and-run crash

The devastating impact of a hit-and-run accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. At The Scott Pryor Law Group in Sandy Springs, we understand that each case represents more than just legal proceedings. Rather, your case is about your personal journey to recovery—and justice. 

Our dedicated team stands ready to champion your cause, whether that means going toe-to-toe with resistant insurance companies or ensuring your story is heard in the courtroom. While we’ve achieved notable successes, including multiple seven-figure settlements and a 90% case success rate, our true measure of achievement is helping clients rebuild their lives.

We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. Though no attorney can guarantee specific outcomes, we commit to pursuing every avenue available to secure the best possible result for your case.

Take the first step toward resolution today. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how our experienced hit-and-run accident attorneys can help you move forward.