Car accidents will happen. In theory, the legal system in Georgia is set up so that everyone gets the help that they need and deserve. However, in the case of a hit and run accident in Alpharetta, Georgia, the at-fault driver leaves the scene, leaving a potentially injured driver or pedestrian alone, helpless, seemingly with no recourse. That is where our hit and run accident lawyer near Alpharetta comes in.
According to Georgia state law, if you find yourself in an accident, you must do all of the following:
- Report the accident to law enforcement if there is property damage totaling more than $500 or if anyone is injured or killed.
- Provide your name, contact information, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance details to the other driver. They should provide the same to you.
- Assist any injured persons if you are able, including calling an ambulance if needed.
- If anyone is seriously injured or killed, you must remain at the scene until emergency services get there.
Often, drivers who flee the scene of an accident do so to avoid facing additional charges, including DUI, driving without insurance, driving with a suspended license, or driving a stolen vehicle. Unfortunately, data from the Insurance Information Center suggest that the number of hit and run accidents nationwide has been on the rise since 2009, and even more distressingly, 60% of the victims of hit and run accidents are pedestrians.
If you or someone you love was injured in a hit and run accident, don’t lose hope. Contact an injury firm near Alpharetta today and let us help you seek justice.
What Kinds of Cases Can a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Alpharetta Help With?
Here at The Weinstein Firm, we are proud to say that we believe everyone deserves competent and experienced legal representation, and we have hit and run accident attorneys with experience in cases very much like your own. The different kinds of hit and run accidents our lawyers handle include:
- A driver hitting a parked car and leaving the scene.
- A driver hitting an occupied vehicle, resulting in injury and/or property damage.
- A driver hits a pedestrian, causing injury and/or property damage.
In all of the above cases, the driver leaves the scene before exchanging information with anyone, does not contact police or emergency services, and simply vanishes. If one of these situations describes yours, a hit and run accident lawyer near Alpharetta may be able to help.
What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Alpharetta?
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, the first thing that you should do is try to get as much information about the other vehicle as you possibly can. If you see it, make it a point to remember details. If you do not, try to find someone who did. If you can remember even a portion of the license plate number, this will be a big help in tracking the vehicle down. If you can’t, simply try to get the best description of the vehicle that you can. Make a note of the vehicle’s color, body style, make and model, any damage, and other distinguishing features, such as a body panel that doesn’t match, rust, or custom elements.
Write down as much as you can about the vehicle as soon as you can. Were you able to see the driver or passengers? Write down as many details as you can. Even if the description is vague, everything you can offer can help the police track down the responsible party.
Take note of the time and location of the accident. Make a note of which direction the driver came from, and fled to if possible. If there are witnesses, get information from them so that you or your hit and run accident lawyer near Alpharetta can contact them later.
Then, call the police and make sure a police report is completed. You will be able to request a copy, and you should. Your hit and run accident attorney will want a copy as well. It may seem like you can’t provide much information, but the police report will be a big help in filing a claim with your insurance.
Before you leave the scene, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, as well as any debris, damaged property, or other details like broken glass, skid marks, and other details of the accident scene.
From there, the only thing that remains is to contact a hit and run accident lawyer serving Alpharetta. If the other driver is found, you will be able to file a claim with his or her insurance company. You should always report the accident to your own insurance as well, and if you have uninsured motorist coverage, it should help to cover your losses.
Whether or not the at-fault driver is caught, it is highly recommended to consult with a hit and run accident lawyer anytime a hit and run accident causes serious damage, injuries, or fatalities. Your hit and run accident attorney will assist in gathering available evidence and will mount an investigation of his or her own. Your hit and run accident attorneys may choose to use this information later should the police locate the driver, and this information could prove invaluable for recovering compensation in your hit and run accident case in Alpharetta, GA.
For victims of a hit and run accident in Alpharetta, Georgia, it is possible to seek compensation for medical bills, wages lost due to injury, pain, and suffering, emotional distress or mental anguish, vehicle or property repair, and more. In the tragic case that the hit and run accident ends with wrongful death, the surviving family could seek a wrongful death claim to recover damages including medical and funeral costs, loss of consortium, and others.
Call The Weinstein Firm today if you are in need of a personal injury lawyer near Alpharetta to help you. We have the knowledge and experience with hit and run cases necessary to help you do everything you can to reach a positive outcome in your case.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured in a Hit and Run Accident in Alpharetta?
If you or a loved one is seriously hurt in a hit and run car accident in Alpharetta, the same advice as above will apply, but the primary goal should be to get medical attention to any injured parties, as soon as you are able. You may be extremely angry that someone would flee the scene after hurting someone and want to give chase, but your own well-being is more important. Contact emergency services and take an ambulance to the hospital as soon as you are able. Following the hit and run driver is dangerous even for someone not injured (so don’t send a witness on the chase, either), and your injuries come first. Not only do you need to make sure this doesn’t turn into a wrongful death case, but you also need to make sure you have adequate documentation of your injuries. When you file your claim for compensation, the more documented your injuries are, the better.
It is unfortunate to say, but even your own insurance company may be reluctant to offer help without good evidence of the incident and your injuries. Since there is no other driver or insurance company to corroborate a story after your accident, some insurance companies have unfortunately suggested that victims of hit and run accidents have simply invented the incident to cover for their own negligence or carelessness. Before you give any kind of detailed statement to your insurance company, or any other insurance company, consult with a car accident lawyer near Alpharetta.
If I Was in a Hit and Run and Police Can’t Find the Guilty Party, Can a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Still Help?
It is important to reach out to a hit and run accident attorney serving Alpharetta, GA even if you do not have any information about the driver. Our experienced hit and run accident lawyers have decades of experience between them and will make sure they do everything they possibly can to help you during your recovery.
What Are the Consequences of a Hit and Run Accident?
In the state of Georgia, a hit and run accident is a very serious offense – often carrying even harsher punishments for DUI. If the driver in your hit and run accident is located, you and your hit and run accident lawyer will be able to pursue a personal injury claim against that person. In traditional automobile accidents, the at-fault driver or their insurance company is held liable for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
However, hit and run accidents can become criminal offenses, so the driver, in this case, may be sued for punitive damages above and beyond your tangible and intangible damages. Accidents are just that – accidents. However, the decision to flee from the scene of a car accident is a deliberate, conscious act that is grossly irresponsible at best and malicious at worst. Judges and juries tend to judge the actions of hit and run drivers very harshly in Georgia, and your hit and run accident lawyer will work hard to ensure the strongest possible penalties for the perpetrator and the best possible compensation for you and your family.
Is a Hit and Run Accident a Felony?
The easy answer to this question is “sometimes.” A felony hit and run is a very serious offense punishable not only by fines and revocation of a driver’s license but also with prison time. In the state of Georgia, a hit and run is considered a felony if another party is seriously injured or killed. Even if the hit and run driver was not at fault for the accident itself, the mere act of leaving the scene could mean a felony offense for the driver who tries to run.
How Can A Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, no matter what the situation, your own insurance company may be a source of compensation to cover your expenses. However, this places you in the position of adversary with your own insurer, a group ostensibly meant to protect you. Insurance companies are primarily interested not in your well being, but in their own bottom line. They have legal teams, adjusters, and well-designed tactics to get themselves out of paying you the compensation you deserve. This is not a fight you want to attempt without the assistance of an Alpharetta hit and run accident attorney going to bat for you.
The Benefits of Hiring Hit and Run Accident Attorneys Near Alpharetta, GA
The Weinstein Firm is dedicated to representing those injured by the negligence of others. We believe that everyone deserves sound and competent legal representation on the same level as the insurance companies, and that is the level of care we strive to provide for our clients. No one is more irresponsible than the driver who chooses to run away from the scene of an accident, particularly if there are injuries involved. These cases can be quite complex and difficult to manage on your own, particularly if you are also recovering from an injury yourself. For this reason, we urge you to contact an experienced hit and run accident lawyer near Alpharetta right away and let us start working for you right away.
When you speak to one of our hit and run accident attorneys, you will be granted a no-charge, no-obligation consultation. We will examine your case and advise you as to the best legal route forward, the potential value of your claim, and what your hit and run accident lawyer would do to ensure that you recover that value in a settlement or judgment. Call (770) HELP-NOW to schedule your consultation.
