Police Search for Georgia Driver

Police in Gwinnett County are searching for a driver who is responsible for backing into a pedestrian at a gas station and driving away from the scene.

According to reports, the woman suffered very serious injuries. Her collarbone was broken in four different places and suffered a large gash on the side of her head. The incident occurred last Thursday. The driver was backing out of a parking space at what has been described as a “high rate of speed” and subsequently slammed into the woman as she was pumping air into her tires.

Actions such as those taken in the story above fall into the category of leaving the scene of an accident in the state of Georgia. Many people are erroneously under the belief that it is only hit and run if the accident is between two vehicles or if they are responsible for the accident. This is incorrect.

In today's post, I will explain the responsibilities and duties that a person is required to perform if he or she gets into an accident in this state.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia

Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia is the offense charged when a driver violates the legal responsibilities laid out by the Georgia Code. The Code lists out the responsibilities that any driver who is in an accident must complete by law.

The law is as follows:

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person or in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident or shall stop as close thereto as possible and forthwith return to the scene of the accident and shall:

(1) Give his or her name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving;

(2) Upon request and if it is available, exhibit his or her operator's license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with;

(3) Render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such transporting is requested by the injured person; and

(4) Where a person injured in such accident is unconscious, appears deceased, or is otherwise unable to communicate, make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency medical services and local law enforcement are contacted for the purpose of reporting the accident and making a request for assistance.

The driver shall in every event remain at the scene of the accident until fulfilling the requirements of this subsection. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

Practice Note

Authorities have released a description of both the suspected driver as well as his vehicle. They are requesting that anyone with information to place step forward.

As with any situation - there are always two sides to every story. That is why it is so important to hire representation if you have been arrested. Call us today - a Georgia DUI Lawyer can help you with your case now.