What To Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Georgia?

February 16, 2018

Steps To Take When You Are A Victim Of A Hit And Run In Georgia
What if I wasn’t in my car when someone hit it?
Helpful tips on what to do if you hit an unattended car
Victims of Hit and Run Accidents Can Get Help Now

Automobile accidents are a scary experience for all parties involved.

It’s important to follow the right steps including what information to gather after the crash to make sure you’re injuries and damages are going to be fully covered, especially if it was not your fault.

But wait! What if the other car involved left the scene?

This makes it a hit and run. Usually, if someone flees the scene of an accident it is to cover up the fact they are involved in something illegal such as driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, they already have charges against them or something along those lines.

This may seem silly to you because a hit and run is a criminal offense and an individual can be charged for it.

Don’t let them get away with it, hiring a defense attorney to represent your case to bring the careless person to justice is your right.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the steps you need to take when you are the victim of a hit and run accident.

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY, SAVANNAH

Steps to take when you are a victim of a hit and run in Georgia:

1. Stay Calm: Nothing good comes from panic. Take a deep breath and begin to assess your situation. Do not chase after them. Right now you are the victim and if you go into rage state then it is like the old saying two wrongs don’t make a right.

2. Write Information Down: If you are okay, quickly write down the condition of the roads, the time and place of the accident, the make and model of the are that hit you, and the license plate number. If you do not know the make and model write a description and as for the license plate as much as you can get off it will at least help start the investigation process.

3. Call 911: Report the incident and if you’re hurt, make sure to say that first so they can get an ambulance to you as soon as possible. They will also send police to get a report on the accident for insurance reasons. If you provide the police with information on the vehicle that hit yours and the direction they went in then the police can send out an alert to try and capture the person while they are still on the run.

4. Medical Treatment: Always get medical treatment. Taking care of yourself is most important. Also having documents of your injuries will help you if you need to file a case to get compensation.

5. Gather Evidence: If you’re not injured, get out of the car and take pictures. Photograph the damage of the vehicle, the location, and the weather conditions in your photos. Look for anyone who witnessed the accident. Get their information so they can be contacted for further details on what happened.

What if I wasn’t in my car when someone hit it?

This is a common situation. In fact, 69 percent of hit and runs in the U.S. involve parked cars and 64 percent are in a parking lot, according to Allstate Insurance 2010 study.

If you are a victim of this type of hit and run then check your windshield for a note. Ask local businesses if they have a security camera that may have captured the accident and file a police report.

So now that you know what to do if you were the victim of a hit and run accident, let us flip the coin over to take a look at what you should do if you caused the accident.

If you are the person who hit the unattended car and don’t know what to do, follow the tips below to protect yourself.

Every state says if you flee from the scene of the crash, then it is considered a hit and run that can result in criminal penalties and jail time.