Being injured in a car accident is an overwhelming experience, but it is worse when a driver flees the scene. Hit-and-run accidents happen constantly, even if leaving the scene after a crash is illegal.
You may be entitled to compensation after being injured in a hit-and-run crash caused by someone else’s negligence. Even so, you must prove the negligent actions of the at-fault party that led to the accident.
You, therefore, deserve representation from a legal professional who’ll protect your rights as an injured victim. A hit-and-run car accident attorney can investigate the crash and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Athens
After a hit-and-run crash, your actions can enhance your health and legal rights as an injured victim.
Here’s what you should do after an injury in a hit-and-run crash:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention after being involved in a hit-and-run crash in Athens. It is not uncommon for injuries resulting from such accidents to go unnoticed. Even if you feel fine, the adrenaline and shock from the incident can mask symptoms of serious injuries.
By promptly seeing a medical professional, you can ensure the detection and treatment of any hidden injuries before they escalate.
Furthermore, a healthcare provider will document your injuries during the treatment. An Athens hit-and-run car accident lawyer will rely on medical records to prove the extent of your injuries and pursue compensation for your losses.
Delaying medical treatment can hurt your chances of initiating a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were not severe or caused by the hit-and-run if you wait too long to seek medical attention.
Notify the Police About the Hit-and-Run Crash
When you sustain an injury in a hit-and-run crash in Athens, you should alert the police about the incident. Under Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage must report the crash to the police promptly.
By notifying the police about the hit-and-run incident, you ensure the necessary documentation through a police accident report. An Athens hit-and-run car accident attorney can use a police accident report to prove liability and seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Without a police report detailing the specifics of the crash, it can be challenging to establish the facts and hold the at-fault party accountable.
Moreover, alerting the police also helps preserve details of the hit-and-run crash. A law enforcement officer can record a statement from witnesses, take photographs of the scene, and record road and weather conditions, details that can strengthen your claim.
Inform Your Insurer About the Crash
You should inform your insurer about the crash after a hit-and-run incident in Athens. By promptly reporting the incident, you can ensure that your insurer is aware of the collision in case you need to file a claim.
Moreover, in cases where the at-fault driver is unidentifiable or underinsured, your insurer can cover the losses through underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. This added layer of protection can be invaluable in securing financial compensation for damages resulting from the hit-and-run.
You should not sign an agreement or start negotiations without the advice of a hit-and-run car accident lawyer. An Athens hit-and-run car accident attorney can protect you from the negative tactics of insurance providers.
Consult a Trusted Athens Hit-and-Run Car Accident Lawyer
After experiencing a hit-and-run car accident in Athens, the input of a lawyer can protect your rights as an injured victim.
Here are key reasons why you should consult a trusted hit-and-run car accident attorney:
Case Evaluation and Advice
A hit-and-run car accident lawyer can provide a thorough case evaluation and valuable advice on the best action. They will review the details of your case, assess the extent of your damages, and offer guidance on pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Negotiating With Insurance Providers
The primary objective of an insurance adjuster is to minimize financial liability for their employers. They’re likely to make low settlement offers, hoping you’ll accept them without much consideration.
An experienced hit-and-run car accident attorney can evaluate the offer and negotiate on your behalf, ensuring that you are not taken advantage of by insurance adjusters seeking to minimize your claim.
Representing You in Court
If your case escalates to court proceedings, having a knowledgeable Athens hit-and-run car accident attorney by your side is invaluable. They will represent your interests in court by presenting compelling arguments likely to yield positive results.
Adhering to Legal Deadlines
All legal cases, including hit-and-run accident claims, have legal deadlines. All states apply the statute of limitations, which prescribes the window an injured victim has to initiate a personal injury lawsuit.
In Athens, Georgia, an injured victim has two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Filing a personal injury lawsuit beyond the two-year deadline can diminish your compensation claim.
A hit-and-run car accident lawyer knows the applicable deadlines and will submit your claim promptly, preserving your right to compensation.
Can You Sue After a Hit-and-Run
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be a confusing and distressing experience. You may wonder about your legal options and whether you can hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Here are a few reasons why you may have the legal grounds to sue after a hit-and-run crash:
- Reckless Behavior: You can initiate a personal injury lawsuit if the hit-and-run accidents often involve reckless behavior on the part of the fleeing driver. By demonstrating that the other driver acted recklessly and negligently by leaving the scene, you may have a strong case for pursuing legal action against them.
- Insurance Coverage: In some cases, the at-fault party's insurer may fail to cover damages resulting from a hit-and-run accident. A hit-and-run car accident lawyer can file a lawsuit to ensure you receive full compensation for your losses.
- Personal Injury: If you suffered an injury in a hit-and-run accident, you might face medical expenses, lost earnings, and emotional distress. A skilled hit-and-run car accident attorney can help build a strong case against the negligent driver.
You should consult a hit-and-run car accident lawyer to understand your legal options, including filing a personal injury lawsuit, which can maximize your settlement value.
Hit-and-Run Compensation Amount
Your ability to recover from injury-related losses depends on the settlement value you obtain in a hit-and-run car accident claim. Generally, there is no average value you can receive for your car accident claim.
The settlement value depends on the facts and circumstances of the accident.
Here are the factors that affect the outcome of the claim:
The severity of the Injury
The extent of your injuries determines whether you’ll receive a higher or lower settlement value. Serious injuries resulting from a hit-and-run, such as fractures, spinal cord injuries, or internal bleeding, typically lead to higher settlements.
The higher settlement caters to medical bills, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and emotional anguish associated with severe injuries.
In cases where the injury has long-term consequences or leads to permanent disability, the value of your claim may increase substantially. You should document all the treatment plans and follow-up appointments to strengthen your case.
A hit-and-run car accident attorney can gather evidence, initiate a personal injury claim, and work hard to maximize your settlement value.
Availability of Evidence
When you are involved in a hit-and-run car accident, evidence helps build a strong case and increases the value of your claim. An experienced hit-and-run car accident attorney can collect evidence that can make a significant difference in your case.
A hit-and-run car accident lawyer can strengthen your case using the following:
- Eyewitness statements
- Surveillance footage from nearby cameras
- Damage to your vehicle
- Debris left at the scene
Eyewitness statements can provide valuable information about the accident, such as the make and model of the other vehicle, its direction of travel, and even its license plate number.
Surveillance footage from traffic cameras, businesses, or homes in the area can also capture the incident and help identify the fleeing driver. Documenting the damage to your vehicle and any debris left at the scene can provide insight into the collision's severity.
By working with a skilled hit-and-run car accident attorney, you can ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and presented effectively.
This evidence can significantly strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Remember, the more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be in seeking justice for the harm caused to you.
Shared Liability
Shared liability means that both parties bear some responsibility for the accident. This division of fault can significantly impact your settlement value. Insurance companies may use shared liability to reduce the amount they offer for your claim, leaving you with less compensation than you deserve.
For example, if you are 20 percent at fault for the accident, you lose 20 percent of your settlement. This reduction can hinder your ability to recover from injury-related losses.
A hit-and-run car accident lawyer can protect your rights when facing shared liability in a car accident case. They can use video evidence or damage to your vehicle to challenge the other party's claims.
Insurance Coverage of the Other Party
In many cases, hit-and-run drivers may not have insurance or be underinsured. Without sufficient coverage from the at-fault party, you may face challenges in recovering the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
A skilled hit-and-run car accident lawyer can make all the difference when the at-fault party has limited insurance coverage. They will work to identify other potential sources of compensation, including filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Damages You Can Obtain in a Hit-and-Run Accident
When you are the victim of a hit-and-run car accident, you may suffer various damages with a significant impact on your life. A personal injury claim allows you to obtain compensation for these losses.
Here are the damages you can obtain in a hit-and-run car accident:
- Medical Expenses: Medical costs are the primary damages you can seek in a hit-and-run accident. Medical expenses include hospital bills, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost Income: If your injuries keep you from working, you can pursue compensation for the income you didn’t earn. Lost earnings can include past and future income you might have earned without the accident.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: You may also receive compensation for out-of-pocket costs directly caused by the accident, medical expenses and lost income. These damages cover expenses for transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or other accident-related costs.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical and emotional pain endured as a result of a hit-and-run accident can be substantial. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to provide financial relief for physical pain and distress experienced due to the accident.
- Emotional Anguish: Beyond physical injuries, car accidents can also lead to significant emotional distress. Compensation for emotional anguish seeks to provide a financial cushion to cater to the treatment of your mental health.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has affected your relationship with your spouse or partner, you may be entitled to seek damages for loss of consortium. This compensation addresses the negative impact of the accident on your ability to enjoy a normal relationship.
- Permanent Disability: In severe cases, hit-and-run accidents can result in permanent disabilities that significantly impact your quality of life and ability to work. Compensation for permanent disability can help cover ongoing medical care and lost earning capacity due to your condition.
Why Legal Representation Matters After a Hit-and-Run
Although you may be entitled to compensation after a hit-and-run accident, you will likely face resistance from the at-fault party. The insurer may decline your settlement claim or make a low settlement offer that doesn’t cover your losses.
A hit-and-run car accident attorney can gather strong evidence and negotiate a higher settlement value with insurers. They may also initiate a personal injury lawsuit for a neutral assessment of your case.
Get in touch with an Athens hit-and-run car accident lawyer for legal support.