A driver who leaves the scene of a crash causes more problems than just vehicle damage. If you have been in a hit and run accident, you may have injuries, no information about the other driver, and questions about who will pay the bills from the crash.
Our Cumming hit and run accident lawyers will help you understand your options after a fleeing driver causes injuries. At Van Sant Law, we have served Georgia residents since 2008 and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients. Our attorneys live and work in Georgia and understand the challenges people face after serious accidents.
A Cumming car accident lawyer from our firm will investigate the crash and determine how we can pursue damages. We know that many people feel lost when dealing with insurance companies and legal claims. We explain each step in plain language and help you make informed decisions about your case. Call us today for a free consultation.
How Our Cumming Hit and Run Attorneys Protect Your Claim
Hit and run claims usually require more investigation than a typical car accident case. The driver may be unknown, the evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance coverage is not always straightforward or easy to understand.
Van Sant Law begins investigating right away and handles the legal process from start to finish. Our Cumming personal injury lawyer team will:
- Collect and review evidence that supports your claim.
- Identify all parties who may be liable.
- Talk with witnesses and locate video footage, if available.
- Protect you from insurance tactics that may reduce your claim.
- Determine how much your case is worth.
- Find every available source of compensation.
- Coordinate with investigators and other professionals when needed.
- Evaluate and document how the injuries have affected your life.
- Keep your case moving and meet important deadlines.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Take the case to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Van Sant Law is fully equipped to sign cases electronically, making it easy to start without an office visit. If meeting at home is more convenient, we can arrange an in-home consultation. We work on contingency, so we can represent you at no upfront cost. We receive payment only if you win your case.
What Happens if the Driver Is Never Found?
Many people assume they cannot recover damages if the at-fault driver disappears. This is not always the case. Depending on the facts of the crash and the insurance available, there may still be options for pursuing compensation.
Our Cumming hit and run crash lawyer investigates whether the fleeing driver can be identified while also reviewing the insurance policy available. In many cases, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or another source of auto insurance may help pay for accident-related losses.
Who Pays After a Hit and Run Accident?
In hit and run cases, insurance companies may question whether the crash caused the injuries. They may also look into whether notice was given within the time required by the policy or whether enough evidence exists to support the claim when the other driver cannot be identified.
These questions do not automatically prevent someone from recovering damages. Police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, photographs, medical records, and other evidence can help establish what happened and support a claim for damages.
At Van Sant Law, we prepare every case with those issues in mind. We work to build a clear picture of the crash and present the evidence needed to back our clients’ claims during settlement negotiations or at trial if necessary.
Who May Be Liable for a Hit and Run Crash in Cumming?
Depending on what happened, additional liable parties may be responsible for covering losses. Those who can share fault include:
- Vehicle owners
- Employers of negligent drivers
- Commercial trucking companies
- Delivery companies
- Rideshare companies (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
- Vehicle makers
- Parts manufacturers
- Government agencies responsible for roadway maintenance
- Contractors responsible for road construction zones
Because more than one insurance policy may help cover your losses, we look beyond the obvious defendant when investigating an accident.
What Damages Are Available?
You may be able to pursue financial recovery for losses you suffered as a result of the crash. These can be:
- Medical care and ongoing treatment
- Income lost during recovery
- Reduced ability to earn a living in the future
- Repair or replacement of a damaged vehicle or other personal property
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- Future care and other long-term needs
Some hit and run crashes result in life-changing injuries. Our Cumming catastrophic injury lawyers help families facing challenges related to spinal cord injuries, paralysis, severe brain injuries, amputations, multiple fractures, and serious burn injuries.
We work with medical professionals, economists, and other professionals to understand the long-term effects of the injury and pursue damages that reflect those future needs.
Wrongful Death Damages for Fatal Hit and Run Injuries
Please accept our sincere condolences if your family has lost someone in a fatal hit and run crash. During this difficult time, our Cumming wrongful death lawyers will explain your legal options and help your family pursue a claim for damages.
Recoverable damages may include:
- The full value of the life of your loved one
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses related to the final injury
- Loss of financial support for the household
- Loss of the services, care, and guidance the loved one provided
We know that no lawsuit can make up for the loss of a family member. Our attorneys are committed to treating every family with compassion and respect. We will answer your questions, explain how the process works, and handle legal matters so that you can spend time with your family.
What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Crash in Cumming?
The driver may have left the scene, but there are other ways to build a claim for damages. The following steps can help preserve evidence and document what happened.
Call for Help and Get Checked Out
Call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident and request medical help if anyone is hurt. Even if you think your injuries are minor, getting a medical exam creates a record of your condition and helps protect your health.
Save as Much Evidence as You Can
If you can, take photographs of the accident scene, your vehicle, and your injuries. Write down anything you remember about the vehicle that left, including its color, make, model, direction of travel, or part of the license plate. If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their contact information before they leave.
Speak With a Lawyer Before Dealing With the Insurance Company
Our Cumming hit and run attorneys offer early legal guidance that can help you avoid mistakes that could affect your auto insurance claim. We will also handle negotiations with the insurer for you.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
In Georgia, injury victims generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Certain deadlines can affect how long you have to file. It helps to speak with a lawyer from our team sooner rather than later to help preserve your rights to pursue recovery.
Get Answers About Your Hit and Run Claim From Van Sant Law
Hit and run accidents bring difficult questions about whose insurance will pay for your medical care and other losses. You do not have to sort through those questions on your own. Van Sant Law will help you.
Founding attorney David M. Van Sant previously represented insurance companies, giving our team valuable insight into how claims are evaluated, and we use decades of combined experience to handle your claim.
Make the Right Call. Contact Van Sant Law today for a free consultation and learn how our hit and run accident lawyer in Cumming will lead your claim.
