Hit & Run Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Georgia & South Carolina
Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian is terrifying — but when the driver flees the scene, leaving you injured and stranded, the trauma is compounded by helplessness and injustice. Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes are tragically common and disproportionately deadly. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that hit-and-run crashes account for approximately 24% of all pedestrian fatalities — nearly one in four. Drivers flee for many reasons, including intoxication, lack of insurance, outstanding warrants, or simple panic.
At Roden Law, our hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyers help victims and families identify every possible source of compensation and work with law enforcement to track down fleeing drivers. Even when the driver is never found, we pursue all available insurance coverage and legal options.
Hit-and-Run Criminal Penalties in Georgia and South Carolina
Both states treat hit-and-run involving pedestrian injuries as a serious criminal offense:
- Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270 makes leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death a felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison. The driver must stop, provide information, and render reasonable assistance to any injured person.
- South Carolina: S.C. Code § 56-5-1210 imposes up to 10 years for hit-and-run involving injury and up to 25 years for fatality. Fines up to $10,000 also apply.
Sources of Compensation for Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Victims
Even when the at-fault driver is unknown, pedestrian victims have several potential sources of recovery:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: If you or a household family member has an auto insurance policy with UM coverage, it can cover a hit-and-run pedestrian crash. South Carolina requires UM coverage in all policies unless rejected in writing. Georgia requires insurers to offer it.
- Household auto policies: You may be covered as a pedestrian under a spouse’s, parent’s, or household member’s auto policy UM coverage
- Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage: Covers medical expenses regardless of fault under your own auto policy
- Health insurance: Your personal health plan covers treatment, subject to subrogation
- Georgia Crime Victims Compensation: The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council offers compensation for crime victims, including hit-and-run victims
- South Carolina Crime Victims’ Fund: South Carolina’s State Office of Victim Assistance provides similar compensation for qualifying victims
Finding the Driver
Our attorneys work to identify the fleeing driver through surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras, vehicle debris and paint transfer analysis, witness canvassing, community tips and social media, and body shop and repair records for vehicles matching the description. Our firm also handles hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, which present similar challenges in identifying the fleeing driver. When the driver is found, we pursue direct claims against them and their liability insurance, in addition to any UM claims already underway.