# Can You Sue for a Hit-and-Run in Georgia? | Van Sant Law **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Filing a Lawsuit After a Hit-and-Run in Georgia 2. How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Hit and Run in Georgia? 3. What Evidence Can Help Prove a Hit and Run Claim? 4. What Types of Damages Can You Recover? 5. What If the Driver Is Never Found? 6. What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident? 7. Consult a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer You can sue for a hit and run in Georgia if the driver is identified. If the driver isn’t found, you will have to rely on other sources of compensation, such as your own uninsured motorist or collision coverage. Being on the wrong end of a hit-and-run can be extremely frustrating. If someone crashed into you and then fled the scene, an [Atlanta hit and run accident lawyer](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/car-accident-lawyer/hit-and-run/) from Van Sant Law can investigate the incident and help you pursue compensation for your losses. ## Filing a Lawsuit After a Hit-and-Run in Georgia Filing a lawsuit may be an option if the police or an investigator successfully identifies the driver who fled the scene. You will likely have grounds for a property damage lawsuit, as well as a personal injury lawsuit if you suffered injuries. If the driver remains unidentified, you cannot sue them. However, since Georgia law treats a vehicle whose owner or operator is unknown as uninsured, you may be able to recover compensation through your own [auto insurance](https://oci.georgia.gov/insurance-resources/auto) policy. If you were recently involved in a hit-and-run, a hit-and-run accident attorney from Van Sant Law can assess your situation and determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit. For a free legal consultation, call [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) ## How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Hit and Run in Georgia? After a hit and run in Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit and four years to file a lawsuit for property damage. However, if the state prosecutes the fleeing driver or the driver leaves the state, the deadline may be tolled. If you miss the applicable deadline, you will lose the right to pursue damages for the accident. A car accident lawyer from Van Sant Law can evaluate your case and explain how long you have to file a lawsuit. ## What Evidence Can Help Prove a Hit and Run Claim? Identifying the other driver in a hit-and-run case can be challenging. Useful types of [evidence in a car accident claim](https://www.vansantlaw.com/faqs/what-evidence-is-used-in-a-car-accident-claim/) may include: - [Police reports](https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/police/obtaining-a-police-report) - Photographs of the accident scene - Photographs of vehicle damage - Medical records - Statements from witnesses - Surveillance footage - Traffic camera footage - Dashcam recordings - Vehicle debris - Paint transfer - License plate information A car accident attorney from Van Sant Law can investigate your accident and help gather evidence to identify the driver who fled. [Click to contact](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today ## What Types of Damages Can You Recover? The compensation available to you after a hit-and-run depends on the circumstances of the accident and its effect on your life. Damages that may be available include: - **Medical expenses**: You can seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospitalization, medication, rehabilitation, and other accident-related medical care. - **Lost wages**: You may recoup income you lost because your injuries prevented you from working. - **Reduced earning capacity**: If a serious injury affects your future career prospects, you may be awarded additional compensation. - **Pain and suffering**: You may recover compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the disruption the accident causes in your life. - **Property damage**: You may recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) now ## What If the Driver Is Never Found? If the driver is never identified, you may have other sources of compensation, including: - **Uninsured motorist coverage**: Your own auto insurance policy may provide compensation for injuries and, depending on your coverage, certain property damage caused by the unidentified driver. - **Medical payments coverage**: Your auto insurance policy may include MedPay coverage that can cover certain accident-related medical expenses regardless of who caused the collision. - **Health insurance**: Your health insurance may cover medical treatment related to your injuries, although you may still be responsible for deductibles, copayments, or other out-of-pocket costs. - **Disability insurance**: If your injuries prevent you from working, qualifying disability insurance may provide benefits to replace some of your lost income. A personal injury lawyer from Van Sant Law can review your case and identify all potential sources of compensation. ## What Should You Do After a Hit and Run Accident? The steps you take after a hit-and-run will affect your ability to recover compensation. If possible, it’s important to: - **Call 911**: Report the accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance if anyone is injured. - **Record information about the other vehicle**: If you can do so safely, write down the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate number, direction of travel, and any other identifying details you remember. - **Take photographs and videos**: Photograph your vehicle, the accident scene, road conditions, property damage, visible injuries, and any debris left behind. - **Talk to witnesses**: Ask anyone who saw the accident for their names and contact information. - **Request surveillance footage**: Nearby businesses, homes, traffic cameras, or other properties may have recorded the collision. - **Seek medical attention**: Get evaluated by a medical professional, regardless of the severity of your injuries. - **Notify your insurance company**: Report the hit-and-run to your auto insurer as soon as possible. Your policy may provide coverage that can help with your injuries, vehicle damage, or other losses. - **Keep records of your losses**: Save medical bills, repair estimates, receipts, wage-loss documentation, and other records related to the accident. - **Contact a lawyer**: A personal injury attorney from Van Sant Law can review the circumstances of the hit-and-run, help identify potential sources of compensation, communicate with insurance companies, and protect your rights as you pursue a claim. ## Consult a Hit and Run Accident Lawyer A hit and run can be frustrating, but you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. An experienced hit and run accident lawyer from Van Sant Law can investigate the crash, negotiate with insurers, and help you pursue compensation for your losses. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation with a lawyer and learn whether you can sue after a hit and run accident in Georgia. Call or text [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) --- Source: https://www.vansantlaw.com/faqs/can-i-sue-for-a-hit-and-run-accident-in-georgia/