Almost nothing makes getting injured in a car accident worse than when the other driver flees the scene. Every car accident lawyer in middle Georgia at Gautreaux Law understands what it means to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident and is dedicated to helping clients get compensation in these types of cases.
If you were seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident, you deserve compensation for the injuries you suffered. Our experienced legal team has helped countless victims in Macon and across the state get fair compensation, even when the other party has fled the scene. Learn more about your legal options by contacting Gautreaux Law today.
How You Get Compensation From a Hit-and-Run Accident
Typically, when you are involved in an accident in Georgia, the at-fault party’s insurance company provides compensation for any injuries you suffered in the crash. However, this option is rarely possible in a hit-and-run case. There are three possible ways your case can proceed.
The Other Driver Is Not Identified
In this situation, your insurance company should pay you compensation based on the coverage provided by your uninsured motorist (UM) policy. While you are not legally required to purchase UM coverage in your auto policy, it is wise to do so for situations like this one.
The Other Driver Is Identified and Doesn’t Have Insurance
Even if the other driver is identified, it is possible that they don’t have insurance. A lack of insurance is one of the most common reasons for hit-and-run accidents. In this situation, you will often also get compensation from your insurance company based on the coverage provided by your uninsured motorist policy.
The Other Driver Is Identified and Has Insurance
If the other driver has insurance, the insurance companies will have to determine who was at fault. Since the other driver fled the scene, they were likely at fault in the accident. Once fault is determined, their liability insurance company should provide compensation for your injuries.
Why You Need a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney
While it may seem like you can just rely on your insurance company (or the other driver’s insurance company in rare cases) to compensate you for your injuries, it is rarely that easy. Unfortunately, the insurance companies have a lot of incentive to undervalue or deny your claim.
To best protect your rights, you should consult with an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident. An attorney from Gautreaux Law will help you avoid the following common pitfalls after being injured in a hit-and-run accident.
Insurance Company Undervalues Your Claim
In many car accident claims, insurance companies will attempt to pay as little as they can get away with. Typically, this means that an insurance company will attempt to offer you a settlement before you have received all of your medical treatment.
A lawyer from Gautreaux Law will help you document all of your medical bills and lost wages. We will hold off from accepting a claim, with your permission, until we know the full extent of your losses or can provide an accurate estimate.
Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
It is less likely, but your insurance company might just deny your claim. This can happen for bureaucratic reasons or factual reasons. If you fill out paperwork the wrong way or don’t meet a deadline, your insurance company might deny your claim.
We have decades of experience handling car insurance cases and dealing with insurance companies. Your car accident attorney will cut through the red tape and prevent the insurance company from denying your claim for unjustified reasons.
Insurance Company Claims You Are at Fault
This only matters if the other party is identified. When that happens, you may still have the right to make a legal claim against the other party. However, generally, Georgia law only allows you to collect money if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident.
The other insurance company will try to pin the fault on you to avoid paying compensation. Our legal team fights this strategy by performing an independent investigation. By collecting evidence that supports your claim, we can fight to prove that the other party was at fault in your accident case.
Contact a Central Georgia Lawyer at Gautreaux Law for All Your Car Accident Needs
Hit-and-run accidents are more frustrating than the average car accident. When the other party flees the scene, you must deal with more red tape than normal. Combining that bureaucracy and dealing with serious injuries can result in you getting underpaid when you need as much compensation as possible.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident in central Georgia, don’t risk losing out on compensation by trusting your claim to the insurance company.
Contact Gautreaux Law immediately to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer who will explain your legal options and help you get fair compensation from the insurance companies.