Damages are those payments made to a car accident victim when they have left the accident scene with serious injuries. Economic damages include things like lost wages, funeral and burial expenses, and medical expenses. Non-economic damages are often more challenging to quantify because they include things like pain and suffering.
Georgia law also states specific caps for non-economic damage awards, so it’s critical to get the support of your car accident lawyer immediately after the accident so that you know what to expect.
What Can You Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Hit and Run Accident in Georgia?
If you or someone you love is paying the price because of negligence or reckless behavior exhibited by another driver, speak with an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Knowing your potential for damage recovery and having someone in your corner fighting for compensation can help you focus on your medical care, which is the most important thing for you following an accident.
The right Georgia car accident lawyer will sit down with you at the outset of the case to discuss specifics and help you determine your next steps. Hit and run accidents present unique problems that start with identifying the driver who left the scene. In some cases, your Atlanta car accident attorney might use proof like expert witness testimony or accident reports to locate a hit-and-run driver.
Even when the driver’s identity cannot be confirmed, you could be eligible to get payments for your injuries through your uninsured or underinsured vehicle accident coverage on your insurance policy. When notifying your insurance carrier about the accident, give them the general details but avoid giving a formal statement or signing anything at that point. It’s possible that the only person looking out for you in your case is your Atlanta car accident attorney, so don’t count on your insurance carrier.
Most Common Injuries from a Hit and Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident, much like any car crash, can leave severe injuries in its wake. A victim can suffer from broken bones, fractures, burns, head injuries like TBIs or concussions, spinal cord injuries, and more. Most victims will get medical attention right after the accident, but some conditions like whiplash won’t fully impact the victim until a few days later. That’s why it’s key to continue monitoring your health in the hours and days after the car accident and to get medical attention.
If further medical treatment is required or you need time off work to recover, this can put a financial strain on you and your family. The medical bills can continue to stream through the mail, adding stress to an already difficult situation.
Victims of hit and run accidents can be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering caused by the event.
Is Your Insurance Company Giving You a Hard Time?
You might feel as though you can handle this case on your own by talking to the insurance agency. Unfortunately, as many people discover far too late, your insurance company is not always looking out for your best interests. You need an advocate in your corner who is looking out for you and your family once you’ve suffered debilitating injuries.
Without an attorney’s insight, your insurance company might act as though your injuries are not that serious or might deny your claim altogether. Such a scenario could have a significant impact on your ability to recover damages and put the pieces of your life back together. Don’t let the insurance company decide about your future; leverage the support of an Atlanta car accident lawyer instead.
Georgia Law Pertaining to Hit and Run Accidents
Drivers have the responsibility to stop and exchange information when a vehicle accident. For reasons like panicking in the moment or concerns over the possible consequences, some drivers leave the scene of an accident despite the clear laws stated under O.C.G.A. 40-6-270.
There are criminal consequences for hit-and-run drivers when they can be identified and brought to justice. When minor traffic accidents happen with little to no injuries, a court can charge the driver with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene. However, a hit-and-run accident in Georgia is charged as a felony when the accident involves death or bodily injury.
Why Contact Greathouse Trial Law?
An attorney can help you manage each aspect of your hit-and-run claim when your legal counsel steps in as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you navigate the insurance claim process, manage the submission of paperwork to the insurance company or court, and even prepare your case for trial if it gets to that point.
Founded by Attorney and Atlanta native Riah Greathouse, Greathouse Trial Law has helped numerous victims in these situations in all aspects of a claim, from investigating the accident scene to uncovering the identity of the hit-and-run driver to arguing for the victim’s rights in court. Schedule a free consultation today with our office at 678-310-2827 to learn more about how to protect your interests and right to compensation.
Blog Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
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