A hit-and-run crash abruptly disrupts your day and raises numerous concerns, such as who will cover the repair costs and how to locate the fleeing driver. 

These worries can quickly become overwhelming, but taking clear, decisive steps immediately after the accident can safeguard your health, finances, and peace of mind. 

Drawing on over 65 years of experience representing injured clients at Morain & Buckelew, LLC, we have prepared this straightforward guide to help you understand exactly what to do and how our team can assist you.

Defining a Hit-and-Run Accident

Under Georgia law and in most other states, a crash turns into a hit-and-run when one driver leaves without sharing contact or insurance information or offering help. That rule applies to tiny parking-lot scrapes and severe highway collisions alike. Leaving the scene brings criminal charges as well as civil liability, giving injured drivers two different paths to compensation.

The moment you realize the other driver is gone, treat the wreck as a crime scene and begin collecting details. Those early actions often shape both the police hunt and your insurance claim.

Immediate Actions After a Hit-and-Run

Your safety comes before paperwork. A calm, quick routine prevents small injuries from getting worse and locks in vital evidence.

• Check yourself and passengers for wounds, starting with the head, neck, and chest.
• If the car can roll, steer to the shoulder or a nearby lot, switch on hazard flashers, and stay clear of traffic.
• Dial 911, report any injury, and ask for both police and medical crews.
• Tell the dispatcher you need an accident report, which is the backbone of each claim later on.

Once help is on the way, shift your focus to information gathering while memories stay fresh.

Gathering Information at the Scene

Even brief glances at the fleeing vehicle can be pure gold for investigators. Jot down every detail in your phone or on paper.

Essential Details to Record

Stand in a safe spot and write or dictate what you remember. The list below shows the main points police and insurers look for.

1. License plate digits or letters, even two or three characters.
2. Vehicle make, model, color, body style, and any bumper stickers or dents.
3. Driver traits such as sex, estimated age, hair color, and clothing.
4. Exact time, street names, and weather conditions.
5. Photos of skid marks, broken glass, and the damage on your car, including paint transfer from the other vehicle.

Witness Information

People nearby often notice things you miss while in shock. Approach them politely and collect the following:

• Full name and at least one phone number or email.
• A written or recorded statement of what they saw, signed if possible.
• Clues about security cameras on homes, traffic lights, or stores that could hold vital footage.

Give this packet to the responding officer and keep copies for your records. Strong witness notes speed up insurance reviews and court hearings alike.

Insurance Claim Process

Once you feel safe, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Let the adjuster know an unknown driver hit you and supply the police report number. From here, your own coverages often step into the gap left by the missing motorist.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured Motorist, often listed as UM, handles medical bills and sometimes vehicle repairs when the at-fault driver carries no coverage or disappears. Georgia requires insurers to offer UM, yet drivers can decline it in writing. Check your declarations page; if UM appears, it can pay for:

• Emergency room visits and follow-up care.
• Lost wages when injuries keep you off the job.
• Pain and suffering are under certain limits.

Collision Coverage

Collision applies to vehicle repairs, no matter who caused the crash, yet it comes with a deductible. Pay that amount to the body shop, and your insurer will handle the rest. If police later catch the driver, your company will try to recover what they paid and refund your deductible.

Claims move smoothly when you keep papers in one place. Record every phone chat with adjusters and keep digital copies of bills. A tidy file stops delays and pushes the process forward.

Potential Legal Recourse

Insurance often covers a fair share, yet extensive injuries or wrongful death claims can exceed policy limits. When that happens, civil court offers another path to recovery.

Victim Compensation Funds

Several states run funds that assist hit-and-run victims when no coverage exists. These programs typically pay for medical treatment, therapy, and funeral costs up to a set ceiling. Filing deadlines arrive quickly, so prompt action is vital.

Restitution as a Condition of Probation

If police locate and convict the driver, judges may order them to repay your losses as part of probation. While collection depends on the offender’s assets, the ruling adds another channel for reimbursement.

Legal tools can feel overwhelming on your own, which is why many injured drivers turn to attorneys familiar with this niche.

Why Drivers Flee the Scene

Knowing why people run will not fix the damage, yet it helps explain the hurdles you meet when proof feels thin. Common motives include:

• Panic, especially among teens or drivers with little experience.
• Fear of being sued for injuries or property damage.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• No insurance or valid license.
• Operating a stolen vehicle.
• Outstanding arrest warrants.
• Concerns about immigration status.

Each factor adds layers to the investigation, which makes early evidence even more valuable.

How Morain & Buckelew, LLC Can Assist You

With over 60 years of courtroom experience and compassion, we work closely with crash experts, gather evidence, and interview witnesses before details fade. We push insurers to pay what’s owed and are ready to file suit if offers fall short, keeping you informed every step. From minor damage to serious injuries, we fight for the outcome that secures your family’s future.

Don’t face police reports, medical bills, and insurance claims alone. Call 404-448-3146 or visit our website for a free case consultation. We stand with crash victims, pursuing every dollar with honesty and grit. Let us help turn this tough moment into a path forward.