Teenage Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Hit and Run Accident in Georgia

According to reports, a teenager was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle in Spalding County. The incident occurred on Northside Drive according to Georgia State Patrol. 

The alleged driver of the vehicle was traveling westside when he or she hit the teenage boy and then continued down the road. 

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the requirements that a driver needs to meet if he or she gets into an accident, with a car or a pedestrian, therefore avoiding an incident of hit and run in Georgia.

Hit and Run in Georgia

Hit and run, otherwise known as leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia, happens when an individual is accused of not fulfilling the following legal responsibilities.

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.

All of these responsibilities are outlined in O.C.G.A. §40-6-270. 

If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements will be found guilty of a felony. The penalty for a hit and run conviction can include up to five years in prison.

Practice Note

All of this being said - a hit and run case is not hopeless. In fact, no case is hopeless. If you or a loved one has been arrested for either leaving the scene of an accident or a DUI in Georgia, contact our offices today. 

Our attorneys never assume guilt and can help you with your case. A Georgia DUI Attorney can walk you through the different options for your situation.