Years ago, as any Georgia car accident lawyer can tell you, it was common for people to agree to resolve car accidents by their word. If a driver crashed into the back of another car, they would just give the guy their number and promise to pay for repairs. And, surprisingly, things usually worked out okay. Today, it’s a different world. There’s too much risk doing something like that. You need to call the cops so they can sort everything out. Not only are you legally required to report the crash. But your Georgia car accident lawyer is going to need a copy of the report anyway. The best way to get started is to call and set up your free, initial consultation as soon as possible.
Get as Much Information on the Other Driver and their Car
If you have a feeling the other driver is going to take off, try to get as much information as possible. Take out your phone and record the scene. Take a picture of the other vehicle including the license plate. Make sure you get as much information as you can. Once they take off, there’s nothing more you can do. At least if you have this information, the cops can use it to try to track down the hit-and-run driver.
The Cops Will Do A Thorough Investigation and Talk to Witnesses
No matter how minor your car accident, you always need to call the cops. They’ll send someone out to do a thorough investigation of the accident scene. If the other driver did take off, the cops will talk to witnesses and see if anybody saw something. They’ll ask if anyone filmed the scene on their cell phone before the other driver took off. This may help them produce a license plate number or even a picture of the other driver. You need the cops to do this because people aren’t going to want to talk to a lawyer about a car accident. They don’t mind telling the cops what they know. They won’t be so open to talking to you or your Georgia car accident lawyer.
There May Be Video Cameras that Caught their Identity or Plate Number
If you’re lucky, the accident may have been caught on a local camera. You may have been near an intersection camera at the scene of the crash. Maybe you have a dashcam that caught the person who hit you. The idea is to get a copy of the other driver’s license plate number. If you can get this information, your Georgia car accident lawyer can track down the other driver. Then they can file a claim against their insurance company.
If there are no cameras that caught the crash, you’re going to have to find the other driver some other way. You may have information from the witness statement that can help. Your attorney can talk to local mechanics and see if any cars that match the description of the culprit. This can be time-consuming. At some point, you need to decide whether to continue looking for the other driver or just file a claim against your uninsured motorist’s policy.
Call and See if an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
It can be really frustrating if the person who crashes into your car leaves the scene. There’s nothing you can do to make them stay. Of course, you can try to convince them to do the right thing. If this doesn’t work, do your best to get their plate number. They may have given you their business card before taking off. Some people just don’t see the point in waiting for the cops to show up, especially if nobody was seriously injured. If this is the case, your Georgia car accident lawyer will still do their best to track them down.
The best thing for you to do is call and talk to one of our skilled Georgia car accident lawyers right away. You can call and set up a date and time to come in for a free consultation. Give the attorney all the information you have on the crash. This includes copies of any letters you got from the insurance company. It also includes a copy of the police report. Worst case, if your lawyer can’t track down the person who hit you, they’ll help you file a claim under your uninsured motorist’s policy. This should at least be enough to cover your out-of-pocket expenses.
