Hit and Run Accident Lawyer
Hit and Run Accident Attorneys in NC, SC & GA
Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is a frightening and frustrating experience. Not only are you dealing with injuries and vehicle damage, but the person responsible has fled the scene, leaving you uncertain about how to recover compensation. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our hit-and-run accident lawyers work tirelessly to identify the at-fault driver and, when that is not possible, to help you recover compensation through other available sources such as your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Hit-and-run accidents are a criminal offense in all three states we serve. Drivers who leave the scene of an accident face serious criminal penalties. However, our focus is on the civil side — getting you the compensation you need for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
What to Do After a Hit and Run
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, take these steps immediately:
- Call 911 — Report the accident to police as soon as possible. A police report is critical.
- Seek medical attention — Get medical treatment even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Document everything — Note any details about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, license plate (even partial), and direction of travel.
- Talk to witnesses — Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Look for cameras — Note any nearby security cameras, traffic cameras, or dashcams that may have captured the incident.
- Contact your insurance company — Report the accident but do not give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney.
- Call an attorney — A hit-and-run lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of recovering compensation.
Finding the Hit-and-Run Driver
Our attorneys work with law enforcement, private investigators, and forensic experts to identify hit-and-run drivers. We analyze surveillance camera footage, examine paint transfer and vehicle debris at the scene, canvass the area for witnesses, review traffic camera and dashcam footage, and use social media and public records to track down the responsible driver. When the driver is identified, we pursue a claim against their insurance for full compensation.
Recovering Compensation When the Driver Cannot Be Found
When the hit-and-run driver remains unidentified, your options for recovery depend on your own insurance coverage:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage — This coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified. In a hit-and-run case, UM coverage is typically your primary source of recovery.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage — If the driver is found but has insufficient insurance, UIM coverage can make up the difference.
- MedPay or PIP coverage — Medical payments coverage can help cover your immediate medical expenses regardless of fault.
State Laws on Hit and Run
North Carolina
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony. North Carolina requires all drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage with minimum limits of $30,000/$60,000. For hit-and-run UM claims, there is a physical contact requirement — meaning the unidentified vehicle must have made physical contact with your vehicle or person. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
South Carolina
South Carolina law under S.C. Code § 56-5-1210 makes leaving the scene of an accident a criminal offense. South Carolina requires UM coverage at minimum levels of $25,000/$50,000. The state does not have a physical contact requirement for hit-and-run UM claims. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is a felony. Georgia requires that UM coverage be offered but allows drivers to reject it. If you have UM coverage, it applies to hit-and-run accidents. Georgia generally requires physical contact for UM claims. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Compensation Available
Hit-and-run victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and other losses. The available compensation depends on whether the driver is identified and the applicable insurance coverage. Our attorneys maximize your recovery from every available source.
Contact Us
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today. We will investigate the accident, work to identify the driver, and pursue every available source of compensation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.