# How Long Do You Have to File a Hit-and-Run Claim in Georgia? **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. The Deadline for Filing a Hit and Run Lawsuit in Georgia 2. Are There Any Exceptions to Georgia’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations? 3. What If You Miss the Filing Deadline? 4. What Types of Compensation Can You Recover? 5. What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found? 6. Talk to a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer If the fleeing driver can be located, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit as part of your hit and run accident claim in Georgia. Investigating a hit and run takes time, especially if identifying the driver proves difficult. If you were injured in this type of accident, an [Atlanta hit and run accident lawyer](https://www.vansantlaw.com/atlanta-ga/car-accident-lawyer/hit-and-run/) from Van Sant Law can help you take legal action and pursue compensation as soon as possible. ## The Deadline for Filing a Hit and Run Lawsuit in Georgia Typically, Georgia law gives you two years from the date of a hit and run accident to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who hit you. In addition, you generally have four years to file a lawsuit for property damage. If you don’t file your claim before the applicable statute of limitations expires, you will lose the right to recover damages. A hit and run accident attorney from Van Sant Law can review your case and explain how much time you have left to file a lawsuit. For a free legal consultation, call [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) ## Are There Any Exceptions to Georgia’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations? Certain circumstances can change the statute of limitations for your car accident lawsuit. A different deadline may apply if: - **The injured person is under 18**: If the victim is under 18 at the time of the hit-and-run, the two-year clock generally does not start ticking until they turn 18, giving them until their 20th birthday to file a claim. Some exceptions may apply. - **The injured person is legally incompetent**: If a person is legally incompetent because of intellectual disability or mental illness, Georgia law may pause the statute of limitations until the disability is removed. - **The defendant leaves the state**: If the at-fault driver leaves Georgia, the time they spend outside the state may not count toward your two-year window. - **There is a pending criminal prosecution**: The civil statute of limitations may be tolled while a related criminal prosecution against the hit-and-run driver proceeds. - **The defendant commits fraud**: If the defendant commits fraud or deception to hide their identity or involvement in the hit-and-run, the statute of limitations may be paused until the truth is discovered. A car accident lawyer from Van Sant Law can assess your case and determine whether any of these exceptions apply. ## What If You Miss the Filing Deadline? If you fail to file your personal injury claim before Georgia’s statute of limitations expires, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation through a lawsuit. In most cases, the court will dismiss a claim filed after the applicable deadline, even if the hit-and-run driver was clearly responsible for the accident. If the deadline for your claim is approaching, a car accident attorney from Van Sant Law can help you file before it passes. [Click to contact](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today ## What Types of Compensation Can You Recover? After a hit-and-run accident, you can pursue compensation for a variety of losses, including: - **Medical expenses**: You may recover the cost of emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other necessary medical care related to your injuries. - **Future medical expenses**: You can seek compensation for medical treatment you are reasonably expected to need in the future because of your injuries. - **Lost wages**: You may recover income you lost because your injuries prevented you from working. - **Reduced earning capacity**: You may be entitled to additional compensation if your injuries affect your ability to earn the same income in the future. - **Pain and suffering**: You can seek compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, emotional distress, and other suffering caused by the accident and your injuries. - **Vehicle and property damage**: You can seek compensation for damage to your vehicle and other personal property involved in the hit-and-run. Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) now ## What If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found? If the hit-and-run driver is never found, you may still be able to pursue compensation from the following sources: - **Uninsured motorist coverage**: Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage from your own [auto insurance](https://oci.georgia.gov/insurance-resources/auto) policy may help cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. - **Collision coverage**: This can help pay for repairs to your vehicle (or its value if it is totaled), regardless of whether the hit-and-run driver is identified. However, you will still be responsible for your policy’s deductible. - **Medical payments coverage** (**MedPay**): You may be able to use MedPay coverage to help pay for certain medical expenses resulting from the accident, regardless of who caused the motor vehicle accident. - **John Doe lawsuit**: If you have UM coverage and can prove that the other driver’s vehicle made physical contact with you or your vehicle (or if an independent witness can corroborate the accident), you may be able to file a “John Doe” lawsuit even if the driver is never found. In the event the other driver can’t be located, a personal injury lawyer from Van Sant Law can help you explore other sources of compensation. ## Talk to a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer If you were recently involved in a hit and run, there’s no time to waste. A hit and run accident attorney from Van Sant Law can investigate the crash, work to identify the driver who fled, and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Book a free consultation to find out how long you have to file a hit-and-run accident claim 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/how-long-do-i-have-to-file-a-hit-and-run-accident-claim-in-georgia/