Atlanta is one of the busiest cities on the East Coast, and locals and visitors alike typically contend with heavy traffic. Multiple highways, including I-20, I-75, and I-85, converge in the downtown area, and smaller local streets are often congested as well. Accidents happen every day, and hit-and-run accidents in Midtown Atlanta can raise complex legal questions that the average person will need help answering.
Legal Options for Hit-and-Run Accidents in Midtown Atlanta
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a collision and then flees the scene of the crash. These accidents may involve unattended parked vehicles, and owners return only to find their vehicles severely damaged. They can also occur in active traffic, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. The first steps you take after such an accident are crucial, and you should hire a hit-and-run lawyer at your first opportunity.
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reported 1,797 deaths and about 8,660 suspected serious crash injuries from accidents statewide in 2022. Hit-and-run accidents are more common than many drivers realize. A 2022 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study reported that between 2018 and 2022, about four million drivers were involved in hit-and-run accidents, and more than 12,000 of these accidents resulted in fatalities.
State law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident and report it to 911. Leaving without reporting a crash can lead to serious penalties, even if the drivers involved exchange personal insurance information and contact details. If you are involved in any accident, you should call 911 to report it right away. If another driver hits you and flees, try to record as much information as you can about them and their vehicle, and then call 911 to report the crash.
An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove fault for this accident and calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim. If you can provide any details about the at-fault driver and their vehicle to the police, this will help identify and locate them so they can be held accountable. The hit-and-run driver will then face criminal charges from the state as well as civil liability for your damages.
Claiming Compensation for a Hit-and-Run Accident in Midtown Atlanta
Identifying and locating the at-fault driver may be one of the biggest initial challenges in your accident case, but a skilled hit-and-run lawyer can help with this and then determine your recovery options. They can also explain how the state’s criminal case against the hit-and-run driver could influence your recovery.
If you can locate the at-fault driver and prove they caused the accident, it’s possible for you to claim compensation for your economic and non-economic damages with an auto insurance claim. However, you may need to file a personal injury suit against them if they do not shave insurance or if their policy cannot fully compensate for your damages. Your attorney can assess your options and help you recover as much compensation as possible.
Ultimately, suffering injuries and other losses in a hit-and-run accident can be incredibly frustrating, but you can have some peace of mind in this difficult situation if you hire a hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. The team at Hall & Lampros, LLP has more than 60 combined years of experience representing clients in accident cases throughout the Atlanta area, so reach out to our firm right away to learn how we can help with your case.
FAQs
What Are the Penalties for Hit-and-Run in Georgia?
In Georgia, the penalties for hit-and-run vary based on multiple factors. This offense usually qualifies as a misdemeanor, leading to a fine, driver’s license suspension, and possible jail time. A defendant with a record of multiple hit-and-run offenses could see increased penalties. If a hit-and-run causes serious bodily injury or death, the defendant can face felony prosecution, and this could mean much heavier fines and several years in state prison.
How Do You Prove Fault for a Hit-and-Run?
You can prove fault for a hit-and-run using multiple types of evidence that a skilled attorney can obtain for you. Witness statements, nearby security footage, or traffic camera footage, if available, can help you prove fault for the accident. Since hit-and-run is a criminal offense, the police will be looking for the defendant, and your attorney may coordinate with local law enforcement to identify and locate them.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Hit-and-Run Accident in Midtown Atlanta?
If you are hurt in a hit-and-run accident in Midtown Atlanta, you may be able to recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages with an attorney’s help. These may include vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Additionally, when a defendant causes a personal injury by breaking the law, they may be forced to pay punitive damages to the plaintiff.
Do Police in Midtown Atlanta Care About Minor Hit-and-Run Accidents?
The police in Midtown Atlanta will document all reported hit-and-run accidents, but whether they actively pursue at-fault drivers is another matter. Police generally prioritize cases that have some evidence available right away, such as the hit-and-run driver’s license plate number or traffic camera footage showing the accident, and they will also pursue at-fault drivers after hit-and-run accidents that result in serious injuries or death.
Why Should I Hire a Hit-and-Run Lawyer?
You should hire a hit-and-run lawyer to have a better chance of securing compensation for your damages after this type of accident. Your attorney can be an invaluable asset for gathering and preserving crucial evidence, accurately assessing your total damages, and determining the optimal way for you to recover compensation once the at-fault driver is identified and located. You’re more likely to reach a favorable outcome with an attorney’s help.
Suffering injuries and other losses in a hit-and-run accident can be frustrating and traumatic, but if you hire a hit-and-run lawyer to handle your case, you are more likely to find the at-fault driver, hold them accountable for their actions, and secure the compensation you need to recover from the accident. If you’re ready to learn how a hit-and-run attorney can help, contact Hall & Lampros, LLP today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
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