Were you injured in a hit-and-run accident in Fayetteville? Are you facing steep medical bills or lost wages as you take the time you need to recover? If so, contact the Fayetteville car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. today.
We have over 30 years of experience assisting accident victims with their legal cases. We can effectively recover the financial compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustained. We will use all the resources at our disposal to track down the person that caused the crash and hold them liable for their careless actions.
Our team of Fayetteville hit-and-run accident lawyers is highly skilled in these types of cases. When you hire us, we’ll help you determine the best legal option for pursuing justice. We’ll provide you with one-on-one attention and guide you through each step.
You won’t have to face this ordeal alone. Call Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at 770-205-2231 if you want more information about the services we provide or to schedule a free consultation.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately After the Accident
Seeking medical attention is one of the most important things you should do after a hit-and-run car crash. Even if you have a seemingly minor injury, it may be more serious than you realize. You should go to the hospital or see your primary care physician on the same day the accident happened.
Insurance companies always try to find a reason to deny insurance claims. A gap in treatment is a significant factor that gives insurance companies evidence of inconsistencies within the claim. If you wait too long to seek initial medical care, they might assume you didn’t really get hurt, or it wasn’t serious enough to require a doctor visit.
You should also regularly attend your appointments until you recover, or your medical provider places you at maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is a recovery plateau that indicates further medical intervention won’t improve the patient’s condition.
As long as you’re treating for your injuries, there will be medical records that show a timeline of your recovery. It will indicate what types of doctors you’ve seen and the expenses you incurred while trying to heal.
Find Eyewitnesses That Can Support Your Case
It can sometimes be challenging to prove that a hit-and-run accident occurred. When there isn’t another driver present at the crash scene when law enforcement arrives, they only have your word to go by. If anyone saw what happened, speak to them about their version of events. If it matches the details you remember, write down their names and phone numbers.
Statements from witnesses is a vital piece of evidence in any hit-and-run case. They can speak to the insurance company about what they saw or provide testimony during the trial. When you find someone to back up your story, it can strengthen your case and show that another person was involved in the accident.
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has the resources to locate witnesses after a car accident. Typically, the investigating officer will speak to any bystanders to confirm if they know anything about the other vehicle and driver who fled. We can request a copy of the traffic crash report and contact anyone we see listed as eyewitnesses. We also have experience reviewing video surveillance and using advanced technology to find anyone that can provide useful information for your case.
Relevant Details You’ll Find on a Traffic Crash Report
Georgia law requires that you report all car accidents to the police if it leads to an injury, death, or over $500 in property damage. It’s illegal to leave the scene of a crash, and the other driver involved could face legal ramifications for their role.
When you call law enforcement, someone will arrive to perform an investigation into what happened. They’ll ask you questions, obtain your contact information and auto insurance details, and speak to bystanders about what they saw. They’ll include their findings on a traffic crash report, and you can request a copy online when it becomes available.
Some of the information you’ll find on the report includes:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Name, contact information, auto insurance, and vehicles involved in the crash
- Name and phone number of eyewitnesses
- Description of vehicle damage
- How the collision occurred
- Determination of fault
When you submit your claim to the insurance company, you can provide a copy of the report. It can improve your chance of receiving an adequate settlement. When the insurance adjuster reviews your case, they will see what the officer discovered during their investigation and have difficulty disputing the facts.
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident
There’s a fault system in place in Georgia that determines who’s financially liable for an accident victim’s injuries and resulting expenses. When you get hurt in a car crash under normal circumstances, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance company. However, if you can’t locate them after a hit-and-run, you can file a claim with your own insurance company.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is an optional coverage offered to all policyholders when they purchase liability insurance. It’s available when the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance, their coverage isn’t high enough to compensate the injured party, or the accident was the result of a hit-and-run driver.
If you chose to include this on your policy, you could file a claim for compensation of various damages. Damages refer to all losses suffered after an accident. The damages available in a UM claim include:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Out of pocket costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering is a broad term referring to the physical and emotional trauma an accident victim experiences. The monetary value placed on pain and suffering will depend on various factors, such as:
- Type and extent of the injury
- Duration of medically necessary treatment
- Length of time it takes to recover
- If there’s an impairment or disfigurement from the injury
- Impact of the accident on daily life, including the inability to complete household chores, return to work, and care for family
- Amount of insurance coverage available
- Total costs associated with the crash
- Sufficient evidence provided throughout the case
- Total lost wages while out of work
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our Fayetteville hit and run accident lawyers know how to calculate a person’s damages to ensure they receive fair compensation. We’ll review all the elements and obtain evidence that increases the value of your case. You deserve the maximum financial award from all available insurance policies.
How to Hold the At-Fault Driver Liable
If law enforcement locates the hit-and-run driver, you can file a claim with their liability insurance company. All drivers in Georgia must purchase auto insurance with a minimum limit of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $25,000 for property damage. There’s the option of purchasing higher limits, and the amount of coverage available will depend on what they chose.
The damages available in a liability claim include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Out of pocket costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship or consortium
There’s also the option of filing a lawsuit. Legal documents typically name the at-fault driver and their auto insurance company as the parties being sued. Many accident victims will attempt to recover a settlement from the insurance company first. If they receive a denial letter or an offer that’s lower than they deserve, they’ll move forward with a lawsuit.
If you want to sue the other motorist and their liability insurance company, you must do so within two years from the crash date. This strict deadline is known as a statute of limitations. There’s also a four-year statute if you want to sue for damage to your personal property. If the deadline passes and you haven’t filed suit, you’ll lose your right to seek compensation.
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. Legal Fees and Costs
Our Fayetteville hit-and-run accident attorneys know you’re already facing a financial burden. You might be out of work and worried about the incoming medical bills. It’s expensive when you’re involved in a car accident, especially if the injury is severe, and you require months of treatment.
We don’t want to add additional stress to your life. That’s why we take cases on a contingency-fee basis. You can hire us without paying any upfront fees or costs. We won’t expect payment of our legal fees unless we recover financial compensation. If we lose the case, you won’t owe us any money.
We also offer a free initial consultation. There’s no risk for you to meet with us and discuss your car crash. We’ll be happy to review everything you provide to determine what your legal options are.
Contact Us
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we provide excellent customer service to our clients. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach us whenever you need us. We will make your case a top priority and be there for you until the very end. You can count on our committed legal team to work diligently and reach a favorable outcome in your case.
If you got hurt in a hit-and-run car accident, contact us immediately at 770-205-2231 for a free consultation. Our Fayetteville hit-and-run accident lawyers are ready to take your call and seek the justice you deserve.