You may be able to sue a hit-and-run driver in Georgia if the driver is identified and their negligence or other wrongful conduct caused the crash and your injuries. If the driver is never found, you may still have options for recovering compensation through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
A hit-and-run can be especially frustrating because the person responsible has left you to deal with the aftermath. You may be facing medical bills, time away from work, vehicle repairs, and uncertainty about who will pay for it all. Georgia law provides options to pursue compensation, even when the other driver cannot be located immediately.
What Is Considered a Hit-and-Run in Georgia?
Georgia law requires drivers involved in certain accidents to stop at the scene. Under O.C.G.A. §40-6-270, a driver involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or vehicle damage must provide identifying information and render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured.
Leaving the scene without meeting these responsibilities can lead to criminal consequences. However, the criminal case against a hit-and-run driver is separate from an injured person’s claim for compensation.
If the other driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may have grounds to pursue a civil claim for your injuries and other losses. The fact that the driver fled does not eliminate their potential financial responsibility for the accident.
What Happens if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Found?
Finding the driver can make it easier to identify potential sources of compensation. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
Evidence can play an important role in determining who caused a hit-and-run accident. Useful evidence may include:
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Photos or videos taken at the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Vehicle debris or paint transfer
- Police reports and investigative records
- Medical records documenting your injuries
This evidence may help identify the fleeing vehicle and establish how the collision happened.
It is important to remember that leaving an accident scene does not automatically mean the fleeing driver caused the original crash. You still need evidence connecting that driver’s actions to the collision and your resulting damages.
What if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?
Not knowing who hit you does not necessarily mean you are out of options. Georgia’s uninsured motorist law treats a vehicle as uninsured when its owner or operator is unknown for purposes of UM coverage.
Under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11, Georgia law also allows certain claims to proceed against an unknown motorist identified as “John Doe.” This process may provide a path to compensation through applicable uninsured motorist coverage.
However, Georgia has specific requirements for these cases. For example, if there was no physical contact with the unknown vehicle, Georgia law generally requires another eyewitness to support your account of how the accident happened. These rules make it especially helpful to preserve as much evidence as possible after a hit-and-run.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Hit-and-Run?
A serious accident can affect much more than your vehicle. Injuries may keep you from working, require ongoing medical treatment, or interfere with everyday activities.
Depending on your circumstances, compensation may be available for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The amount you can recover will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, the available insurance coverage, and whether you share responsibility for the collision.
Reach Out to the Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys for Legal Help
Being injured by someone who drives away can leave you with more questions than answers. The Savannah car accident lawyers at Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys can investigate what happened, look for evidence that may identify the driver, and determine whether uninsured motorist coverage or another source of compensation may be available.
Arrange a free consultation with us today.
We serve Savannah, Augusta as well as Georgia and surrounding areas.
Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys – Savannah Office
480 Mall Blvd,
Savannah, GA, 31406
(912) 355-1500
Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys – Augusta Office
1450 Greene St, Suite 140
Augusta, GA, 30901
(706) 750-8860
