Blog Post

What You Need To Know About Hit & Run Accidents

Chris York • Nov 22, 2019
Hit & Run Accident Attorney

Your Duty At An Accident Scene

Every Georgia driver involved in an accident has a duty to stop at the scene of the accident. Failure to stop may constitute a felony in some cases. There is a legal code that makes this mandatory. The key takeaway is that a collision is a serious event, and you should not leave the scene until the police have arrived, and you have checked in with the officer.

Georgia’s Hit and Run Legal Code

O.C.G.A § 40-6-270 Hit and run; duty of driver to stop at or return to scene of accident:

(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person or in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident or shall stop as close thereto as possible and forthwith return to the scene of the accident and shall:

(1) Give his or her name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving;

(2) Upon request and if it is available, exhibit his or her operator's license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with;

(3) Render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such transporting is requested by the injured person; and

(4) Where a person injured in such accident is unconscious, appears deceased, or is otherwise unable to communicate, make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency medical services and local law enforcement are contacted for the purpose of reporting the accident and making a request for assistance.

The driver shall in every event remain at the scene of the accident until fulfilling the requirements of this subsection. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

Penalties for Leaving an Accident Scene

The penalties are serious for leaving an accident scene. A first conviction has a minimum fine of $300.00 but could range as high as $1,000.00 depending on the jurisdiction and judge. The Court can impose jail time as well, technically up to 12 months, on top of the fines. A second conviction within a five-year period, ranges from $600.00 to 1,000.00 in fines. Watch out for the problem of nolo pleas as well, as sometimes these cannot be used twice within a certain period of time, and sometimes they can also count as guilty pleas, for purposes of setting these significant fines. 

Consult With an Attorney After a Hit and Run

Whether you are the at-fault driver or a victim of a hit and run accident you should seek the advice of an attorney immediately. Contact the attorneys at York Gaskill. Our team has in-depth knowledge of Georgia’s laws and will ensure your rights are protected. Call us directly at 678.697.6789 or email us. We are here to answer all of your questions and assist you with your case.
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