Police were searching for a man this week who has been charged in a deadly August accident in South Fulton. The accident occurred on August 24, when police say their suspect attempted to illegally pass a tractor-trailer in a Chevrolet Silverado on Cascade Palmetto Highway where there was a double yellow line. As the driver attempted this maneuver, he collided head-on with a vehicle in the opposing travel lane, resulting in the death of the driver of that vehicle. The man then fled the scene on foot before medical services arrived.
In Georgia, drivers are required to remain at the scene of an accident and render aid to the injured until help arrives. It should be noted that “rendering aid” does not mean you must perform a lifesaving procedure on an individual. It simply means you must offer assistance, such as alerting authorities and remaining on the scene to provide contact and insurance information. Fleeing the scene of an accident involving bodily injury or death is considered a felony. The suspect in the case mentioned above is charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and hit-and-run.
Fortunately in this case, the driver left the vehicle at the scene and authorities were able to determine that the vehicle belongs to the mother of his children, and — from that information — were able to determine who the fleeing driver is. Seeking compensation after a hit-and-run accident can often be a complex situation, as the vast majority of personal injury settlements or awards are paid out through the at-fault party’s auto liability insurance. However, insurance cannot come into play unless the driver is identified.
If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident in Atlanta or the surrounding area, let an experienced car accident attorney from Cambre & Associates help you understand the process of obtaining compensation for your injuries. For a free case evaluation, contact us.
