Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer in Savannah
Direct Attorney Guidance for Savannah Hit-and-Run Victims
A hit-and-run injury claim can move forward even when the driver who caused the crash hasn’t been identified. Craig Injury Law represents injured people throughout Georgia, including Savannah residents with questions about evidence, insurance coverage, and financial recovery.
We bring more than 28 years of personal injury experience to these claims. Since 1995, we’ve protected injured people and recovered millions for clients across our practice. Our attorneys pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, vehicle repairs, pain, and other losses supported by each client’s circumstances.
Call (912) 304-5202 for a free consultation with our Savannah hit-and-run accident lawyers about the crash and your potential claim.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Savannah
Report the collision to law enforcement immediately and seek medical attention for your injuries. Georgia law requires an immediate police report when a crash causes injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $500. The report creates an official record of when, where, and how the collision was reported.
Prompt reporting is particularly important when uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Georgia courts have treated timely police reporting as a condition of recovery in hit-and-run uninsured motorist claims, and reported decisions have rejected claims involving delays of several days. Waiting can therefore affect more than the police investigation.
Preserve the following information when you can do so safely:
- Photos or video of the scene, vehicle damage, debris, and visible injuries.
- The fleeing vehicle’s color, make, model, license plate details, direction of travel, and identifying damage.
- Names and contact information for witnesses, passengers, nearby residents, or business employees.
- Dashcam footage or other recordings that captured the vehicle or collision.
- Medical evaluation, treatment, billing, and work-loss records connected to the crash.
Don’t delay treatment solely because the fleeing driver hasn’t been found. Medical records can document your injuries, the care you received, and losses included in a claim. Keep copies of insurance correspondence, and avoid guessing about details you don’t remember when speaking with an insurer.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Savannah Hit-and-Run Claims
Georgia law generally treats an unidentified hit-and-run driver as an uninsured driver. A victim may therefore seek payment for covered losses through uninsured motorist coverage, subject to the policy terms, available limits, reporting requirements, and evidence.
Georgia auto policies include uninsured motorist coverage by default unless a named insured rejects it in writing. The statutory minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. The amount available in a particular case depends on the policy and other applicable coverage.
Physical Contact or Independent Corroboration
O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11(b)(2) generally requires either actual physical contact with the fleeing vehicle or independent corroborating evidence. Corroboration is evidence that supports the claimant’s account, such as testimony from an eyewitness other than the person making the claim.
This requirement matters in a no-contact crash, such as when a vehicle forces a cyclist or driver off the road without striking them. Video, witness information, and other evidence may become central to showing that an unidentified vehicle caused the collision. Whether specific evidence satisfies the statute depends on the facts.
Deadlines & Court Procedures for an Unidentified Driver
Georgia’s general deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the accident date under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Other notice requirements and policy conditions may follow different timelines, so the two-year period shouldn’t be treated as permission to postpone reporting or investigation.
When the driver remains unidentified, a lawsuit may name a John Doe defendant, a procedural name for an unknown party. Civil personal injury lawsuits involving Savannah crashes may be heard in the Superior Court within the Eastern Judicial Circuit. The civil claim is separate from any criminal investigation or prosecution involving the fleeing driver.
How We Handle Hit-and-Run Injury Claims
Every client works directly with an attorney at each stage of the claim. We investigate the crash, assess the available evidence and insurance issues, and handle settlement negotiations. When a proposed settlement doesn’t fairly account for the documented losses, we prepare the case for trial and pursue litigation when necessary.
Direct attorney involvement gives clients a consistent point of contact. We explain the relevant legal and insurance issues, discuss significant developments, and evaluate potential decisions based on the evidence and applicable law.
Discuss Your Hit-and-Run Claim Without Upfront Legal Fees
We offer free consultations by phone and virtually, allowing Savannah residents to discuss a potential claim without an initial consultation fee. Spanish and Bahasa Indonesia language services are also available.
We can represent clients on a contingency fee basis, which means clients don’t pay us unless we win compensation for them. Our contact form provides space to share information about the police report, available evidence, injuries, and possible uninsured motorist coverage.
Call (912) 304-5202 today to request your free consultation with Craig Injury Law.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our highly skilled team!
