Being in a car accident is a frightening and sometimes overwhelming experience. To literally add insult to injury, many at-fault drivers choose to flee the scene. This is not only illegal but is an attempt to avoid financial responsibility for the victim’s injuries.

Fortunately, if you were the victim of a hit and run, you do have options for monetary compensation. It starts with hiring a law firm that is dedicated to your best interests. For accident victims in Macon and Warner Robins, that firm is Joshua E. Palmer LLC.

What To Do Right After the Accident

The decisions you make immediately after being in a hit and run accident could affect your health and your rights for quite some time. We recommend that you do the following:

  • Call 911: Even if you do not think you were seriously hurt, you may have hidden injuries that will not reveal themselves until hours or days later. Ask for an ambulance, check yourself into the emergency room, or see your primary care physician right away.
  • Speak with police: When you call 911, the dispatch will send a police officer to the scene to generate an accident report. You should tell the officer everything you can remember about the hit and run driver and their vehicle. Also, make personal notes with this information.
  • Limit what you say: Relay only the basic, objective facts about the accident, such as the time, date, location, and details you can remember about the hit and run driver. Don’t apologize (even if you think you did something wrong) or speculate as to the nature of your injuries.
  • Preserve dashcam footage: If you recorded the accident on a dashcam, this will be vital evidence later. Preserve a copy of it but also share it with police so they can try to locate the victim.
  • Get eyewitness information: If there were any witnesses, get their names and contact information. Ask if they happened to have recorded the hit and run accident on a dashcam or otherwise. If so, get a copy of the footage.
  • Look for other cameras: There may be other surveillance cameras in the area, including those that the municipal authorities of Macon and Warner Robins own. If you haven’t done so already, note the location of the accident so your attorney can retrieve this footage later.
  • Document the accident scene: Take photos and record videos of the aftermath. Include in your images all damage done to your vehicle, as well as skidmarks and other physical evidence from the crash.
  • Follow your doctor’s advice: This step is critical for your health, but also your legal rights. If the at-fault party finds out you didn’t do what your doctor said, they may blame any worsening conditions on you. So keep your appointments, see any specialists to whom you are referred, and follow your doctor’s orders.
  • Report the accident to insurance: Doing so may allow you to take advantage of coverage that pays for hit and run accidents. Explain what happened and follow the instructions set forth in your policy.
  • Speak to an attorney: Lastly, talk to an attorney who serves hit and run victims in Macon and Warner Robins. Our car accident attorney is ready to assist you.

Coverage Options After a Hit and Run Accident

It’s possible that the driver who fled the scene will get caught. However, you should never assume this will happen. And even if law enforcement does catch up with the driver, it’s likely they had no insurance (which may be the reason they fled the scene).

Still, there are alternative options for covering your losses, which may include:

  • Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: When drivers who don’t have insurance cause wrecks, the victim’s UM coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The same is true for hit and runs. UM and UIM (uninsured motorist coverage) are optional but highly recommended.
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP is an optional form of insurance coverage that can pay for medical bills, lost wages, essential household services, and more. There are typically policy limits to what PIP will pay, and it likely won’t cover pain and suffering.
  • MedPay: MedPay is another form of optional coverage, available through your auto insurance, that can pay for medical losses stemming from your hit and run. Payout limits are usually lower than PIP (generally ranging from $5,000 to $10,000) and won’t cover non-medical expenses.
  • Third-party liability: In some cases, hit and run accidents point to third-party liability. For instance, a defect in your vehicle may have failed and thereby worsened your injuries. The manufacturer could be liable in a case like this.

Legal Experience Matters

You have your choice of law firms to advocate for you after a hit and run accident. At Joshua E. Palmer LLC, we believe our experience and client commitment set us apart from other practices. When you retain our Macon and Warner Robins firm, we get to work by:

  • Reviewing the circumstances of your accident and collecting initial evidence
  • Identifying any third parties that may be liable for your losses
  • Coordinating with law enforcement to assist in their efforts to locate the at-fault driver
  • Determining the value of your losses, including with the assistance of expert witnesses
  • Helping you file a UM or other claim with your insurance company
  • Filing a lawsuit as needed to win compensation from your insurer (and from the at-fault driver, if they are located)
  • Using the discovery process to obtain additional evidence related to your claim
  • Settling the case if possible or taking it to court if necessary

Contact Our Macon and Warner Robins, GA Hit and Run Accident Attorney

Nobody deserves to be victimized in a hit and run accident. If this has happened to you, we understand the frustration and apprehension you are facing as bills pile up and you’re unable to work. Our goal is to help you win the compensation you need to move forward.

It’s time to speak with the compassionate legal team at Joshua E. Palmer LLC. We proudly serve accident victims in Macon, Warner Robins, and elsewhere in Georgia. Connect with us today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run Drivers

What happens if the driver is eventually located?

Law enforcement may be able to find the driver who hit you, and if so, that person will face criminal proceedings. However, your attorney can help you file a civil claim against them to win compensation. If the driver has no insurance, you can still file a UM claim.

What if my insurance company denies UM coverage?

Your insurer may claim that there is not enough evidence that a hit and run occurred and deny your claim. If this happens, talk to us. We can help you deal with any insurance issues and potentially take legal action if necessary.

What is the difference between PIP and MedPay?

MedPay only pays for medical costs related to your hit and run, such as ambulance and emergency room expenses. PIP may pay for certain medical services that MedPay does not, as well as lost wages and other costs.