- Car Accidents
Any Fayetteville car accident lawyer will tell you that the first legal obligation after any collision with another vehicle is to stop at the crash scene, or as close to it as possible. Upon doing so, you should check yourself for injuries and call 9-1-1 to report the accident and ask for medical assistance. Yet, many drivers are victims of a hit and run accident.
This happens when a driver flees the scene of the crash, without stopping or after failing to persuade the other driver not to report the accident. Drivers who do so usually have various things to hide: driving on a suspended license, being uninsured, or even driving a stolen vehicle.
This makes the process of recovering damages extremely difficult. But it is not impossible when you hire a Fayetteville car accident lawyer with extensive experience in the most complex cases.
Here Are the Full Legal Obligations of Drivers Involved in a Car Crash
The Uniform Rules of the Road in Georgia are very clear on the duties of drivers involved in a traffic accident on public roads.
- You must stop your car at the scene, or stop as close as possible and return to the scene.
- Give the other driver your name, address, and registration number of the vehicle
- Render assistance to any injured person, including transporting or arranging for their transportation to the hospital.
- Call medical emergency services if any person involved in the crash is unconscious or appears deceased.
Moreover, drivers must report to the police any accident resulting in bodily injury or death and over $500 in property damage.
These are reasonable duty of care requirements. Thus, what makes a hit and run accident extremely unconscionable is the fact that the other driver does not even care to check if you are alive after the impact.
First Thing to Remember: Do Not Chase the Hit and Run Driver
Your first instinct when you see the other driver speeding away after hitting you is to follow them and make them stop. But you must resist this instinct, for various reasons.
1. You May Aggravate Your Injuries
As any Fayetteville car accident lawyer, many hit and run accident victims suffer internal injuries, which are not initially perceptible. The adrenaline rush prevents you from feeling pain or weakness. However, you need immediate medical care. And you must remain as still as possible until the ambulance crew arrives to assess your condition and give you emergency medical aid.
Chasing the other driver in your car obliges you to make movements that may make your injuries worse and even put your life in danger. So, put your well-being first and remain at the accident scene.
2. The Driver May Be Armed and Dangerous
For all you know, the hit and run driver may be fleeing from a robbery scene. They may carry a lethal weapon. Or their physical condition may allow them to overpower you.
You never know what kind of person caused your hit and run accident – but it is certain that they are not a decent, law-abiding person who cares about your life. Thus, think about your safety and refrain from giving the other driver a chase.
3. You Are Breaking the Law by Leaving the Accident Scene
Finally, if you start chasing the other driver after a hit and run accident, you are also breaking the law. As we showed above, the first obligation you have is to stop at the accident scene. You should remain there until the police arrive to investigate the crash and prepare the accident report.
The only exception is when you are so seriously injured that you must be taken to the nearest hospital immediately. In this case, the police will take your statement when you are out of danger.
What You Should Do After a Hit and Run Accident?
One of the first things you must do as you see the driver speeding away is to memorize as many details about the car, such as:
- The make and model
- The color
- The license plate number.
If you have the time, try to take a few photos with your phone. Even if they are blurry, they will help the police a lot in their investigation.
You should still document the accident scene after reporting the crash. Although, as your Fayetteville car accident lawyer, a hit and run accident is a no-doubt liability case. No insurance adjuster or jury would doubt the fact that the hit and run driver is more at fault for the crash than you.
Also, make sure that you seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident. This will give your lawyer proof that the injuries were caused by the accident.
Notify Police and Collect Evidence
Now, you probably wonder what are the chances of finding the driver who caused your hit and run accident. If your crash happened in an urban area, chances are very high. There are always witnesses who remember something or CCTV cameras covering the area where the accident happened.
A key role in finding a hit and run driver is notifying the police as soon as possible. They may capture the driver as they are fleeing or find evidence at the accident scene which makes the car easier to trace.
Finally, talk to the eyewitnesses and record the description of what they saw. These are critical moments, because days later they may forget a crucial element that would help identify the hit and run driver.
Bring Your Case to a Skilled Fayetteville Car Accident Law Firm!
Wade Law is a team of lawyers with a combined experience of over 70 years. We have dealt with some of the most complex car accident cases – including hit and run accidents. We will not give you false hopes. If we believe there is a chance of the driver being found, we will keep in touch with the police and help you prepare your claim or lawsuit against them.
However, you must remember to do what the law says and resist taking it into your own hands. Nothing good comes out of chasing a hit and run driver and it will certainly not help your case. Instead, follow the advice we shared in this article and schedule a free case review as soon as possible after the hit and run accident.
Call us today at 770-282-1188!
