Rights & Defending
Your Freedom
Being involved in a car accident of any sort can be scary, to begin with. However, it can become even more terrifying if you are injured or hurt and the driver who hit you speeds off.
When a driver is involved in a car accident with a pedestrian, someone else’s property, or another vehicle of any kind (including bicycles), they are required to stop, address the situation, and exchange important information with other parties involved. In large part, this is because sharing information holds them accountable for any damage they may have caused. It also ensures the injured party has legal recourse in the event they incur large expenses or experience significant losses as a result of the accident.
Even if another person is not immediately involved or injured, someone may still be guilty of a hit and run. If a driver damages your property and does not communicate with you about it, this could also be considered unlawfully leaving the scene of the accident. This can occur when a driver runs over a mailbox and does not stop to give the homeowner their name and insurance information, or when a driver causes damage to a parked car or other property.
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, call law enforcement right away to report the incident and provide them with as much information as you can about the vehicle and driver who hit you. Then, get in touch with a North Georgia hit and run accident lawyer at the Richman Law Firm.
A hit and run refers to an incident in which a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without stopping to fulfill their legal obligations. Hit and run accidents can involve various scenarios, such as collisions between vehicles, collisions with pedestrians or cyclists, or even damage to property like parked cars or fences.
If you are involved in a hit and run, Georgia law states you must perform the following actions:
Duty to Stop: According to Georgia law, a driver involved in an accident that results in injury, death, or property damage must immediately stop at the scene or as close to it as possible. They are not allowed to leave the scene.
A first offense for a hit and run causing damage or minor injury is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum jail term of 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If a hit-and-run accident involved death or serious injury, then the offense is considered a felony that carries imprisonment for up to 5 years.
Hit and run incidents are not all the same. Sometimes, a driver may stop after a collision and speak with the other driver but refuse to supply any identifying information or supply false information about themselves, including fake names or phone numbers and phony insurance policy numbers. If a driver lies to you about their name, contact information, or insurance, it can become very challenging for you to recover the compensation you need to cover the costs of your accident and injury.
Our hit and run accident lawyer, AJ Richman, has personally handled thousands of cases and our entire legal team is committed to providing you with the highest quality legal service. We are prepared to treat your case with individual attention and concern, ensure that you receive the help you need, and work to get you the best possible result in your case.
If you’ve been involved in a Georgia hit and run accident, get in touch with our firm today. You can do so by calling (678) 829-2826 or contacting us online to tell us about your case.