Cyclist Allegedly Hit by a Truck in Cobb County

Stewart Bryson was knocked off of his bicycle in Cobb County when truck driver, Phillip Harris, allegedly slammed on his brakes for no known reason causing Bryson to hit the back of the vehicle. 

Harris has been accused of leaving the scene. Bryson has a fractured neck as a result of the crash. You can access his GoPro video of the accident here.

Harris has been charged with hit-and-run in Georgia. As a Georgia DUI Attorney, I will focus on the offense of hit and run or also known as leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia

The Georgia Code outlines a list of responsibilities that must be completed by a driver in Georgia if he or she has been involved in an accident. It doesn't matter whether or not the driver is the cause of the accident - it is just the mere involvement in an accident that triggers the responsibilities. 

The responsibilities include:

• Exchange personal information with other involved parties (name, address, vehicle registration information)
• Display a valid driver's license upon request
• Provide reasonable assistance to anyone who was injured in the accident and/or transport him or her to the closest medical facility for treatment, if necessary, and
• Contact emergency medical services and police. O.C.G.A. §40-6-270.

By law, every driver involved in an accident is required to perform these responsibilities. Leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia is considered as a misdemeanor or felony offense based on the circumstances surrounding the accident. 

If the accident involves personal injury or occupied vehicles or any type of property damage, then it will most likely be considered a felony offense, and the consequences can include one to five years of prison time, fines, probation, and license suspension.

However, if the accident does not involve any personal injury or occupied vehicles, then it might be charged as a misdemeanor, and the consequences can include twelve months of jail time and up to $1,000 in fines.

Practice Note

As a firm specializing in Georgia DUI Defense, we handle all types of traffic violations in Georgia. If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI in Georgia or any other type of serious traffic offense, contact us today.