Hit and Run Laws in Georgia: Know Your Rights
Understanding where you stand after a hit-and-run incident can feel overwhelming. You have just gone through a terrible trauma, and now you feel like you must sort out what your next move is supposed to be. That's why you ought to know that in Georgia, there are laws that take hit-and-run situations very seriously. Knowing this, let's take a look at what you should know about these laws in case you ever find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Distinguish Between Misdemeanor and Felony Charges
Georgia defines a hit-and-run incident as a misdemeanor or a felony based on the severity of the accident. Here is what that breakdown looks like:
Misdemeanor
This is the charge when the only damage done at the scene of the incident is property damage. In other words, if there are no bodily injuries on the scene, then it will be deemed a misdemeanor.
Felony
This is the charge if there is a bodily injury on the scene, a serious injury of any kind, or a death on the scene.
The consequences that one has to face when charged with a felony are far more severe than when one is charged with a misdemeanor, and that is important to note when thinking about the different types of hit-and-run incidents that might occur in Georgia.
Penalties for Convictions
The types of penalties that one might face for a hit-and-run accident will vary based on whether it is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Here is what you might expect from those different outcomes:
Misdemeanor Offenses
Fines
Jail time (up to 12 months)
Suspension of the driver's license
Points added to driving record
Felony Offenses
Significant fines
Potential jail times up to 5 years
Courts will consider other factors, such as whether the offending driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. This is considered an aggravating factor and will lead to tougher penalties.
Civil Liabilities and Victim Rights
Jail time is not the only thing that someone who commits a hit-and-run accident has to worry about. There are civil penalties that might be added to the list of potential penalties as well. Some of these civil penalties include the potential responsibility to pay the medical bills of the injured party, payment for property damage, and even payment for lost wages.
Ultimately, the penalties for a hit-and-run accident have to be considerable because society wants to discourage such behavior and bring justice to those who are the victims of these crimes.
The Importance of Prompt Reporting
It is essential to report any hit-and-run incident as soon as you possibly can. The sooner that you alert law enforcement about a hit-and-run incident, the sooner they can respond and work to help bring you a measure of justice. Not only that, but it will give you the greatest possible chance to preserve evidence from the scene, improve your chances of identifying the driver who fled the scene, and gather details necessary for insurance claims.
The Role of Legal Representation
Following a hit-and-run accident, you are understandably going to be shaken up. Your entire world has just been shaken in ways that you could never have anticipated or expected. This is why this is the exact moment that you need to reach out to an attorney to obtain the help that you require. Lawyers can do the heavy lifting necessary to help you get a court date and a measure of justice for all that you have been through.
Resources for Legal Assistance
There are various legal resources that you ought to consider after a hit-and-run incident. For example:
Personal Injury Lawyers - These individuals work to obtain as much compensation as possible for the incident that you have been through.
Auto Accident/Insurance Lawyers - An attorney who specializes in automobile accidents and dealing with insurance companies can also be extremely helpful for you in these circumstances.
Criminal Defense Lawyers - If you are accused of being the perpetrator of a hit-and-run incident, then you need to mount a legal defense in court. A criminal defense lawyer is the kind of specialist that you should turn to under those circumstances.
At the end of the day, no matter what your involvement with a hit-and-run incident, you need to get a lawyer on your side as soon as possible. Contact us at Steelhorse Law today.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // Garun .Prdt
