Though car accidents happen every day, they are unexpected and unwelcome events. But usually, people respect their obligations under the law, and in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, assuming no major injuries or damage, both cars pull to the side of the road to assess the damage and to begin to collect information. But what happens when the driver who hit you keeps right on driving? If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, having an experienced Kennesaw car accident attorney on your side can increase your chances of recovering your damages.
Hit-and-run under Georgia law
The term hit-and-run describes the event that occurs when a driver hits a vehicle or pedestrian and then drives away. In Georgia, as in other states, drivers are required by law to stop at or near the scene of an accident, exchange certain information, and provide aid to any injured parties. Conviction of the most serious hit-and-run charge under Georgia statute O.C.G.A. 40-6-270 carries a six-month license suspension and possible imprisonment up to five years, depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries.
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Actions To Take Immediately After A Hit-and-run
Trying to find the driver of a hit-and-run accident can be very difficult. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, there are a few actions that you can take at the scene to increase your chances of finding the offending driver and recovering any compensation.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident – If you saw the driver continue driving after the accident, you may be tempted to follow the driver to try and track him or her down. Do not. Remain at the scene of the accident and call 911 to report the accident. In every accident, the police report is a key document that helps with the claim process through insurance companies.
- Calm down and think – If you are not seriously injured, think back to the accident and record every detail that you can remember. Include important details including the time, place, speed and direction you and the other driver were traveling. If you got all or part of the license plate, write it down. If you were unable to get the license plate, write down any details you remember about the make, model, year, and color of the car. Record details that may seem irrelevant, like any smells or sounds that you can remember.
- Look for witnesses or recordings and take pictures – If you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident and other motorists were around, it is likely that other drivers stopped to offer help. Try to collect the contact information of these drivers and any others who may have seen the accident. Additionally, look up and around the area where the accident occurred to see if there are any cameras on stop lights or nearby buildings that may have captured all or part of the accident. If you have a cellphone with a camera, use it to take pictures of not only the damage to your vehicle, but also of the surrounding area.
How We Can Help
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run, contact experienced car accident attorney Roger Ghai who serves clients in the Kennesaw, Marietta, and Acworth areas. Compared to a more traditional accident, hit-and-runs make dealing with insurance companies more even difficult than usual. Contact the Law Offices of Roger Ghai, P.C. today at 770-792-1000 for help recovering the compensation you deserve.
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