If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident here in Decatur, I know how frightening and overwhelming the situation can feel. One moment you're driving, walking, or even parking your car, and the next you’re left hurt, confused, and wondering why the other driver chose to flee the scene. These situations leave many people unsure of what steps to take, how to protect their rights, and how to deal with medical bills, property damage, and insurance claims.
Acting quickly is the best way to protect yourself. Evidence goes missing fast, memories fade, and the insurance company may already be looking for reasons to minimize your claim. That’s why getting legal guidance early makes a big difference.
Call Marks Law Group today at (678) 251-9309 for a free consultation so we can help you protect your rights from day one.
What Counts as a Hit & Run Accident in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, every driver involved in a motor vehicle accident must stop immediately no exceptions. Georgia Code § 40-6-270 requires drivers to remain at the scene, exchange information, provide reasonable assistance, call for medical help when needed, and wait for law enforcement to arrive. Failing to do any of these things is considered a hit-and-run, even if the damage seems minor.
A hit-and-run accident in Georgia involves any situation where a driver causes or contributes to an accident and then leaves without fulfilling their legal duties. These cases can happen in many different ways, including:
- A driver hitting another vehicle and fleeing the scene
This includes crashes in traffic, in parking lots, or at intersections. - Pedestrian or bicycle collisions
If a driver hits someone walking or biking and drives away, it qualifies as a hit-and-run even if the injuries seem minor. - Rear-end accidents where the at-fault driver speeds off
These are common in stop-and-go traffic or at red lights. - T-bone or side-impact crashes
Drivers who blow through stop signs or red lights and strike another vehicle may flee out of fear of consequences. - Sideswipe or rollover accidents
A sideswipe might seem small, but if the driver doesn’t stop, it becomes a hit-and-run. - Damage to a parked or unoccupied vehicle
Even if the owner isn’t around, the driver must make a reasonable effort to report the damage or leave their information. Leaving without doing so is illegal.
Georgia takes these cases seriously because fleeing the scene prevents injured people from getting help and makes it harder to hold the at-fault driver accountable. When injuries or death occur, hit-and-run charges can lead to felonies, heavy fines, and long-term license suspensions.
Steps to Take After a Hit & Run Accident
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, take these steps as soon as possible:
1. Call 911
Report the crash so police and emergency medical care can arrive. A police report is critical for your personal injury claim.
2. Gather What Evidence You Can
If you’re able, collect:
- Photos of the scene and vehicle damage
- A description of the fleeing car
- The license plate number (even partial numbers help)
- Witness names and witness statements
- Any available video footage or surveillance footage
3. Get Medical Treatment
Even if your injuries feel minor, get checked out. Delayed symptoms, especially for injuries like spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or soft tissue injuries, can appear days later. Medical documentation is essential for your claim.
4. Do Not Give Statements to the Insurance Company Yet
An insurance adjuster may call you quickly, but don’t speak to them before talking to a personal injury lawyer. Anything you say can be used to minimize your compensation.
How Hit & Run Investigations Work in Decatur
Decatur police and law enforcement officials investigate hit-and-run accidents using several tools. When you report the crash quickly, it gives investigators their best chance of finding the fleeing driver.
Investigators may use:
- Surveillance cameras from businesses or homes
- Video footage from traffic cameras
- Witness accounts and witness testimonies
- Accident reconstruction experts
- License plate recognition systems
- An accident reconstructionist to analyze the crash
- The vehicle’s direction of travel or description
Quick reporting helps preserve evidence, meaning your case will be stronger whether the driver is found or not.
Compensation Options Even If the Driver Isn’t Found
Even when the other driver disappears, you still have options. In Georgia, uninsured motorist insurance, also called UM/UIM insurance, can step in to cover your damages from a hit-and-run accident.
UM coverage can help pay for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Long-term medical costs
- Emergency medical care, ambulance transport, and other medical services
Your insurance company may still try to limit what they pay, even though you’re filing a claim under your own policy. This is why having an attorney makes a big difference.
A lawyer can help you:
- Review your UM/UIM coverage and PIP coverage
- Document your medical expenses and vehicle damage
- File a strong personal injury claim
- Push back against low settlement offers
You don’t need to guess what your policy covers; your attorney can guide you through the entire process so you don’t leave money on the table.
Common Injuries and the Importance of Medical Documentation
Hit-and-run crashes often leave victims with serious injuries, and many symptoms don’t show up right away. After a collision, adrenaline can mask pain, which is why you should always get medical care immediately, even if you feel “mostly fine.”
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, or face
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries, which may cause headaches, confusion, or memory issues
- Spinal cord injury, including nerve damage or loss of mobility
- Back and neck injuries often seen in rear-end accidents
- Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and whiplash
- Emotional distress and trauma, including anxiety or trouble sleeping after the crash
These injuries can lead to medical bills, lost wages, long-term pain, and ongoing medical expenses. Some may require specialists, physical therapy, or future treatment, which makes proper documentation essential.
Make sure you:
- Attend every appointment
- Follow your doctor’s instructions
- Keep copies of your medical records, prescriptions, and test results
- Report new or worsening symptoms right away
Consistent medical treatment is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in a personal injury claim. It shows the insurance company and the court, if necessary, that the crash caused your injuries and that you took your recovery seriously.
How a Decatur Hit & Run Lawyer Helps
Handling a hit-and-run claim alone can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with pain and suffering, medical costs, and anxiety about the future. A lawyer steps in to manage the legal and insurance-side stress so you can focus on healing.
Here’s what your attorney does for you:
- Handles communication with the insurance company and insurance adjuster
- Collects important evidence such as police reports, accident reports, witness statements, and video footage
- Identifies every source of coverage, including liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance
- Builds a strong demand letter and prepares for settlement negotiations
- Protects you from low settlement agreements
- Prepares your case for court if needed, working with trial lawyers and accident reconstruction experts
Why Marks Law Group Stands Out
Marks Law Group brings the experience and personal support that hit-and-run victims in Decatur need. When you choose our team, you get a law firm that truly cares about your recovery and fights for the best possible outcome.
We offer:
- Local knowledge of Decatur courts and insurance companies
- A practice focused on personal injury law and helping auto accident victims
- A personalized, supportive approach
- A strong history of successful verdicts and settlements
- A contingency fee structure, so you pay nothing unless we win
We understand the challenges that come with car accidents, auto accidents, and wrongful death claims, and we’re here to guide you through each step with clarity and compassion.
Protect Your Rights After a Hit & Run in Decatur
A hit-and-run accident can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face it alone. Quick action, the right medical treatment, and strong legal help can make all the difference in your recovery and the strength of your claim.
Evidence fades fast, and insurance companies rarely play fair. A lawyer can protect your rights, explain your options, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact Marks Law Group today to help you understand your options and start building a strong case, beginning with a free consultation.
FAQs
What if I didn’t get the other driver’s license plate number?
You can still file a claim. Other evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, or accident reconstruction, may help identify the driver, and UM coverage can apply even without a plate number.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hit-and-run?
In Georgia, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash. Insurance companies, however, often require much quicker notice, sometimes within days.
Can I still recover compensation if the at-fault driver is never found?
Yes. Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage.
What if I didn’t feel injured at the scene?
Many injuries, especially whiplash, back injuries, and brain injuries, appear hours or days later. Getting immediate medical treatment protects both your health and your claim.
