If you’ve ever been the victim of a hit and run accident, then you know how frustrating it can be. Hopefully, it’s just a minor fender bender and you don’t get seriously injured. But just the fact that someone damaged your car and didn’t have the courtesy to stick around afterward can be infuriating.
If this is the case, you’ll have no choice but to submit a claim to your insurance company, pay the deductible and suck it up. There’s no other way to get your car fixed, is there? If the damage is minor, it may not put a hefty dent in your wallet. But even paying a deductible can be expensive, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault.
The problem is, not all hit and run accidents are minor. If someone crashes into your car, there’s a good chance that you (or your passengers) were injured. Even if you’re not sure, you still have to go to the emergency room and get checked out. For all you know, you might have internal injuries like a traumatic brain injury or broken rib. Just an emergency room visit in Atlanta can be quite expensive, and that’s assuming you have health insurance.
If you or your loved one are injured in a hit and run, you should call and talk to a lawyer right away. An experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta can review your case and see what your options are.
There are Different Kinds of Hit and Run Accidents
There are really two main kinds of hit and run accidents. The first kind is where you come out of the grocery store and find that someone’s smashed into your car. You see the dents and dings, but there’s nobody around. They didn’t even have the courtesy to leave a note. If this is the case, all you can do is submit a claim to your insurance company and hope it doesn’t make your rates go up.
The other kind of hit and run is when you’re driving and someone crashes into your car. Before you get the chance to write down their license plate, they take off. You do what you’re supposed to do and call the police. Unfortunately, you don’t have much to go on other than a general description of the car. You may not even have that if they hit you from behind.
If you’re lucky, the accident will be captured on some sort of video camera. Maybe you were at a busy intersection that has a camera. Or, the crash happened outside of a gas station or convenience store that has CCTV. If this is the case, the police can check to see if they caught anything on tape. Or, your Atlanta car accident lawyer can subpoena the records and see if they can make out the identity of the person who hit you.
Why Would Someone Flee the Scene of an Accident?
There are a variety of reasons why someone would flee the scene of an accident. While none of these do you any good, they do offer some sort of explanation. Either way, you’re left with hospital bills and car repairs and nobody to pay them.
Some of the reasons someone may leave the scene of an accident include:
- They don’t have a valid driver’s license
- They have no insurance
- They’re driving a stolen car
- They have active warrants
- they’re in the commission of a crime at the time of the accident
- They simply don’t care
Like we mentioned, the reason doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day, you’re left holding the bag. Thankfully, you do have options.
Our Lawyers Can Help You File a Claim Under Your Uninsured Motorist’s Policy
The good news is that most people have coverage for these sorts of accidents in their auto policy. This is something called uninsured motorist’s coverage. The problem is, this coverage is usually not that high. If you’re lucky, they’ll cover some of your out of pocket expenses. Odds are, however, they won’t cover everything.
One thing your Atlanta car accident lawyer can do is try to negotiate a reduced settlement, at least as far as your medical bills are concerned. Most auto repair companies won’t take less than the full amount. But your lawyer will do their best to make sure you’re not taken advantage of.
Call today and talk to one of our experienced personal injury law firm in Georgia. Schedule your free initial consultation today.
