Hit & Run Accident Claims in Georgia & South Carolina
Being the victim of a hit and run accident is a frightening and frustrating experience. The at-fault driver has fled the scene, leaving you injured, confused, and uncertain about how to pay for your medical bills and vehicle damage. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit and run crashes account for approximately 24% of all pedestrian fatalities and have been increasing steadily over the past decade.
At Roden Law, our hit and run accident lawyers help victims across Georgia and South Carolina recover compensation — even when the at-fault driver is never identified. Through uninsured motorist coverage, thorough investigation, and aggressive legal advocacy, we work to ensure that hit and run victims are not left bearing the financial burden of someone else’s reckless and criminal behavior.
Hit & Run Laws in Georgia and South Carolina
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in both states. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270) requires drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury or death to stop, render aid, and provide identification. Violations carry criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 56-5-1210) similarly requires drivers to stop, provide information, and render reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is a felony in both states.
Recovering Compensation After a Hit & Run
When the at-fault driver flees, your own insurance policy becomes the primary source of recovery. The key coverage types include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: This covers your injuries when the at-fault driver is unidentified. Georgia requires insurers to offer UM coverage, while South Carolina requires it by default (you must affirmatively reject it in writing).
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: Pays your medical bills regardless of fault, up to the policy limit.
- Collision Coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle after the deductible.
In cases where the hit and run driver is later identified, you can also pursue a claim directly against the driver and their insurance.
How We Investigate Hit & Run Cases
Our attorneys work alongside law enforcement and private investigators to identify hit and run drivers. Our investigative tools include reviewing traffic and surveillance cameras in the area, analyzing debris and paint transfer evidence, canvassing for witnesses, working with law enforcement to obtain dispatch records, and examining nearby businesses’ security camera footage. Even partial information — a vehicle description, license plate fragment, or witness sighting — can lead to identification of the at-fault driver.
Steps to Take After a Hit & Run
If you are the victim of a hit and run, take these steps immediately: call 911 and report the accident, note any details about the fleeing vehicle (color, make, model, license plate, direction of travel), look for witnesses and ask for their contact information, photograph the scene including damage to your vehicle and any debris left by the fleeing driver, seek medical attention immediately, and contact a hit and run attorney before filing an insurance claim.