What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia

It happens in a flash. Another vehicle hits you — sideswipes your car on I-85, rear-ends you at a red light in Midtown Atlanta, clips you in a Walmart parking lot in Augusta — and then speeds away. No stop. No exchange of information. Just taillights disappearing.

Hit-and-run accidents are frighteningly common in Georgia. The state consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for hit-and-run fatalities. If this has happened to you, here's what to do.

Immediate Steps at the Scene

1. Don't Chase the Other Driver

It's a natural impulse, but pursuing the fleeing driver puts you at risk. You could cause a secondary accident, and it can complicate your claim if you leave the original accident scene.

2. Call 911 Immediately

Reporting the hit-and-run to police immediately is critical for two reasons:

• It creates an official record of the incident
• It's required to file a UM (uninsured motorist) claim with your own insurance

3. Note Everything You Can About the Fleeing Vehicle

While details are fresh in your mind, write down or voice-record:

• License plate (even a partial plate helps)
• Vehicle color, make, and model
• Direction the vehicle fled
• Any distinguishing features — dents, bumper stickers, window tint, commercial markings
• Driver description — if you got a look

4. Look for Witnesses

Other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby business employees may have seen the accident. Get their contact information. Witnesses who caught a license plate number or vehicle description can be the key to identifying the fleeing driver.

5. Check for Cameras

Look around for:

• Traffic cameras — GDOT cameras on highways and major intersections
• Business security cameras — Gas stations, stores, and restaurants near the scene
• Residential cameras — Ring doorbells, Nest cameras, home security systems
• Dashcams — Other drivers may have captured the accident or the fleeing vehicle

Time matters. Request or alert businesses about footage immediately, as many systems overwrite within 24-72 hours.

6. Document the Scene and Your Injuries

Take the same photos you would for any accident:

• Your vehicle damage
• The accident scene
• Road conditions
• Your visible injuries
• Any debris or paint transfer left by the other vehicle (this can help identify the vehicle type and color)

After the Scene

7. Get Medical Attention

See a doctor within 24 hours, even for seemingly minor injuries. This creates a medical record linking your injuries to the hit-and-run.

8. File a Police Report

If officers came to the scene, they'll file a report. If they didn't, go to the nearest police station or file online (many Georgia jurisdictions, including Atlanta, allow online reporting). Request the report number and a copy.

9. Report to Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company about the hit-and-run. This starts the process for your uninsured motorist (UM) claim — which is how most hit-and-run claims are paid in Georgia.

How Hit-and-Run Claims Are Paid in Georgia

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

In Georgia, a hit-and-run driver is treated the same as an uninsured driver for insurance purposes. Your UM coverage pays for your injuries and damages.

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11) requires UM coverage on every auto policy unless you specifically rejected it in writing. If you never signed a rejection form, you have UM coverage.

UM coverage typically pays for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Other damages you'd normally claim from the at-fault driver

Your UM coverage limits match your liability limits unless you chose lower limits.

MedPay Coverage

If you have Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage on your policy, it pays your medical bills regardless of fault — no questions about who caused the accident. MedPay pays immediately, which helps while your UM claim is being processed.

Collision Coverage

Your collision coverage pays for the damage to your vehicle, minus your deductible. This applies regardless of whether the other driver is found.

What If You Don't Have UM Coverage?

If you specifically rejected UM coverage (rare, but it happens), your options are more limited:

• MedPay covers medical bills if you have it
• Collision covers vehicle damage if you have it
• Health insurance covers medical treatment
• If the driver is identified, you can pursue their insurance or sue them directly

Criminal Penalties for Hit-and-Run in Georgia

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a serious crime in Georgia:

Accidents Involving Injury or Death

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony punishable by:

• 1-5 years in prison
• Fines up to $5,000
• License revocation

Accidents Involving Only Property Damage

Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only accident is a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, punishable by fines and potential jail time.

Reporting the Hit-and-Run Helps Prosecution

Your police report and any evidence you've gathered (witness information, camera footage, vehicle description) helps law enforcement find and prosecute the fleeing driver. If the driver is identified and prosecuted, you can also pursue a civil claim against them for your damages.

Finding the Hit-and-Run Driver

Even though the driver fled, there are ways to identify them:

• License plate databases — Even a partial plate can be run through state databases
• Camera footage — Traffic cameras, business security cameras, and residential cameras
• Vehicle damage analysis — Paint transfer and damage patterns can identify the vehicle type
• Witness identification — Witnesses may recognize the vehicle or driver
• Social media and community boards — Sometimes posting about the accident leads to tips (though be careful not to share details that could hurt your claim)
• Body shop checks — Law enforcement can check local body shops for vehicles matching the description being repaired for fresh damage

Georgia's Statute of Limitations

You have two years from the date of the hit-and-run to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). If the driver is identified within that time, you can pursue both a UM claim and a direct claim against them.

For your UM claim with your own insurer, check your policy for specific filing deadlines — some policies have shorter notification requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Don't chase the fleeing driver — call 911 immediately
• Note everything you can about the vehicle and look for witnesses and cameras
• Georgia treats hit-and-run drivers the same as uninsured drivers — your UM coverage applies
• File a police report and notify your insurance company right away
• Camera footage is time-sensitive — request preservation immediately
• Hit-and-run is a felony in Georgia when injuries are involved
• You have two years to file a lawsuit if the driver is identified

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