A Savannah hit and run accident lawyer with Kaine Law could help you seek monetary damages to pay some of your losses. People tend to assume they have to pay all their medical bills, lost income and other earnings, and other losses if the at-fault driver fled the scene, but our personal injury firm could help you find coverage for some, if not all, of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Also, a Savannah car accident lawyer can work with the police and provide information that might help them track down the hit and run driver. Sometimes, the fleeing driver has a change of heart and turns themselves in eventually.
How Insurance Works in Hit and Run Accidents
Insurance companies treat hit and run accidents the same as uninsured motorist accidents. In other words, since there is no at-fault driver remaining at the scene, there is no liability insurance policy for that driver that allows you to pursue your claim.
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your automobile policy, A Savannah personal injury lawyer can pursue a claim against that coverage for your losses. Also, if the driver eventually gets caught or turns themselves in, and they have liability coverage, we can make a claim against that insurance company.
For a free legal consultation with a hit and run accident lawyer serving Savannah, call 404-214-2001
Why People Leave the Scene of a Savannah Collision Illegally
People flee the scene of an accident illegally for a variety of reasons. These can include:
- No insurance. Georgia requires everyone who owns or operates a motor vehicle to maintain at least the minimum liability insurance coverage as defined by the state. If the driver’s insurance policy had lapsed for nonpayment or was canceled, the driver might flee to avoid getting a ticket for being uninsured.
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) that is above the legal limit. If the at-fault driver had consumed a few drinks shortly before the crash, they might fear that they would fail a breathalyzer test. Drunk drivers often flee the scene and hide out, hoping to escape capture long enough for their BAC to drop below the legal limit. Sometimes, a suspected drunk driver voluntarily goes to the police a day or two later.
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license. If it is illegal for the driver who caused the crash to be behind the wheel, they might run from the scene to avoid getting in trouble for driving without a valid driver’s license.
- Hit a pedestrian and think they might have killed them. Many hit and run collisions involve pedestrians. Whether the driver was negligent, or the pedestrian walked out right in front of the car, the driver might flee the scene out of fear that they accidentally killed someone.
- Simple panic. Getting into a crash could cause a person to panic and run away, in a “fight or flight” response, even if the fleeing driver did not cause the collision. These people tend to turn themselves in shortly after a crash.
While the motivation for a hit and run driver to leave the scene illegally might vary, the consequences can be the same for you. If you had injuries or other losses, you still need money to cover those losses.
Savannah Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
What You Can Count on From Our Savannah Hit and Run Accident Attorney
At Kaine Law, we care about our clients. We focus on personal injury cases rather than many different types of law so that we can devote our time to fighting for victims and their families.
You deserve a law firm that is not afraid to fight for big settlements and jury verdicts for its clients. Evan L. Kaine has qualified for the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
You would not be coming to us unless you have experienced a traumatic event in your life. We are mindful of that fact and of your stress. We treat our clients with respect and compassion. You can count on being treated like a human being, not like a number, and on taking the time to listen to you. We save our aggressiveness for the defendant and their insurance company.
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Monetary Damages in Hit and Run Accidents in Savannah, GA
The compensation you might recover after a hit and run accident in Savannah will depend on the unique facts of your situation. Here are some of the common categories of money damages people pursue after getting hurt in a car accident that was someone else’s fault:
- Lost income if they could not work because of their wounds and did not get paid for that time.
- Medical bills to treat their injuries, like the ambulance, emergency room, surgery, hospital, doctors, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and other related healthcare services.
- Pain and suffering, meaning the emotional distress and physical discomfort of getting injured in a hit and run accident.
- Other intangible losses, like disfigurement from extensive scars, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of enjoyment of life if they have a loss of function because of their injuries.
A hit and run accident attorney can help you explore other potential categories of losses that could be a part of your claim.
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How Much Time You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Hit and Run Crash in Savannah
In Georgia, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit, under O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, against the negligent party for your losses. It is not enough simply to negotiate with the defendant or their insurance company. As the American Bar Association (ABA) explains, you can lose all rights to pursue compensation for your losses if you miss the filing deadline, also called the statute of limitations.
Our Savannah Hit and Run Accident Attorney Can Handle Your Injury Case
Our Savannah hit and run accident lawyer is ready to work on your case. You will not have to pay a fee deposit to us to get our help on your hit and run collision. We handle hit and run collision injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We will receive a portion of the settlement or jury award at the end of your case. If you do not win, you do not have to pay us any legal fees.
We put our “no-fee guarantee” in our contract with you. The contract clearly states that you do not owe us anything for legal fees unless you get compensation. It is easy to get started on your hit and run accident injury claim. At Kaine Law, we offer a free initial consultation. You can reach out here for your no-cost consultation. There is no obligation. Contact us today
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form