In Atlanta, millions of cars are on the roads every day. People commute to and from work, drop their children off at school, getting groceries—the possibilities are endless. With the high number of drivers, it’s no surprise that accidents often happen. If you’re in an accident where you believe the other vehicle is to blame, the expected scenario would be that both you and the other driver pull over to the side of the road to exchange contact and insurance information. Georgia law requires this.
What happens though, when you’re involved in an accident where the other driver just keeps on driving? A hit-and-run accident can result in serious damages and injuries. If the at-fault driver flees the scene, who will provide compensation for your losses?
If I Don’t Think I’m Injured, Can I Skip a Visit to the Doctor?
Regardless of whether or not you believe you’re injured after a hit-and-run accident, it is essential to take a trip to see your doctor as soon as possible. There are many different injuries that don’t actually present symptoms until after the fact. Signs of something as serious as a traumatic brain injury or a severe case of whiplash might not be immediately recognizable.
Then, a few days later you might start to notice that something isn’t right. Maybe your neck is stiff or you’re having a difficult time remembering things or keeping your balance. Chances are that you could experience delayed symptoms of a serious injury after a traumatic accident. For this reason, seek medical attention without delay after an accident. If you find that you’re injured days later and didn’t see a doctor right away, an insurance company can attempt to claim either your injuries must not be that serious or that your injuries aren’t even related to the hit-and-run accident. Always cover your bases and see a doctor after an accident.
Should I Get a Lawyer After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
When you’re in a hit-and-run accident, you might wonder if getting an attorney is necessary. After all, if the at-fault driver isn’t found, you will probably approach your own insurance company for compensation. Speak with an experienced hit-and-run accident lawyer even if you don’t think that the authorities will find the liable party. An attorney can help you figure out both what your damages are worth and who to pursue for compensation.
If you were in a car when the accident happened, your attorney will most likely work with your auto insurance company to cover your expenses. Things become a bit more complicated if you were a pedestrian or riding a bicycle. In this case, your attorney might be working with your medical insurance company to outline the extent of the damages. Regardless, it is always advisable to work with an attorney after this type of accident in order to claim the maximum compensation.
Why Type of Compensation Will I Receive After a Hit and Run Accident?
One of the most important questions after a hit-and-run accident becomes—how much compensation is due to cover the damages to your property and your medical expenses? Your lawyer will work to put together a comprehensive summary of the total cost of the accident in order to approach the insurance company for compensation. Some of the things they will look at include but are not limited to:
- Lost wages due to time off work recovering after the accident
- Your current medical bills
- Estimated future medical expenses
- The cost to repair damages to your vehicle
- Emotional distress caused by the accident
- Pain and suffering
Some of these expenses are tangible, like your existing medical bills and the estimated damage to your vehicle. Other expenses are harder to define, like your pain and suffering and emotional distress. One of the key benefits of working with an experienced attorney is their understanding of how to outline a complete list of potential expenses.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Never Found?
There are many different reasons that a driver might fail to stop after an accident. Sometimes the driver is uninsured and knows they will face tremendous financial debt if they are found liable for the accident. Other Times, they might but intoxicated and afraid of the consequences of a DUI charge. Regardless of the reason, fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime. The police will attempt to locate the hit-and-run driver, but it’s possible that there might not be enough information to find them.
Chances of finding the driver increase if there were witnesses, especially if someone recorded their license number. In the chance that the liable party isn’t found, who will cover the expenses you incurred in the accident? In this case, your attorney will most likely work with your own insurance company to assess the damages and put together a fair settlement offer. Unfortunately, your insurance rates might increase, but one of the main purposes of auto insurance is to protect you in this exact situation.
