Hit and run car accidents in Richmond Hill can cause devastating injuries. On top of the physical pain and financial stress you are experiencing, you are also probably feeling anger and frustration because the other driver fled the scene.
Leaving the accident scene means there is a good chance that the hit and run driver is legally responsible for the crash, but finding them can be challenging. A dedicated auto collision attorney can help with all the steps of the process so you can get the compensation you deserve. Call Chattahoochee Injury Law today to discuss your case with our legal team.
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270 requires drivers involved in an accident to contact emergency services and make reasonable efforts to help anyone injured. Failure to do this is a felony if the accident caused a death or serious injury or a misdemeanor if it caused property damage or a milder injury. This means the hit and run driver could face criminal penalties, such as fines or prison time, if convicted of leaving the scene.
In addition to criminal penalties, a driver in a hit and run collision in Richmond Hill can also face civil penalties in a personal injury lawsuit. To sue after a wreck, the injured person needs to prove that the other person caused the incident by being negligent. Because leaving an accident scene is a crime, the hit and run driver will almost always be considered legally responsible. Finding the driver is often more difficult than proving liability in these cases. Without cameras or witnesses, identifying them can be a significant barrier to filing a lawsuit.
In a successful lawsuit, an injured person can receive compensation for both their financial costs and their intangible suffering. Punitive damages are also possible since hit and runs are a crime in Richmond Hill. Financial compensation covers specific expenses like medical bills and lost wages.
If the accident caused a long-term disability, this can include estimated future costs as well as immediate ones. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for things that cannot be quantified, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are meant to punish the offender rather than compensate the plaintiff. They can only be awarded in court, not as part of a pre-trial settlement. Punitive damages are rare, but they are an option when the responsible person is intentionally or maliciously indifferent to other people’s safety. O.C.G.A.§ 51-12-5.1 limits punitive damages to $250,000 in most situations. The law also requires 75 percent of the damages to go to a state fund instead of the plaintiff.
Any type of auto collision can cause distress and serious injuries, and we know hit and run car accidents in Richmond Hill can be incredibly upsetting. If you can find and identify the driver, you will usually have a strong case for a lawsuit.
Our experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorneys are here to help you through this challenging situation. We will start by honestly assessing your case. Once you decide to hire us, we will support you throughout the process. Contact Chattahoochee Injury Law to get started today.
