Being convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in north Georgia can permanently change your life—and not in a good way. Once you hit another vehicle and leave the scene, the law demands clear and harsh penalties if convicted.
Three sets of state laws cover leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia. They are:
- Hit and Run. Georgia Code 40-6-270 defines this offense as being involved in an accident that causes damage to another vehicle or “injury to or death of any person” who is involved, then leaving the scene.
- Striking an Unattended Vehicle. Georgia Code 40-6-271 covers this situation. It states that you must stop, locate the owner of the car you hit, or leave your name, address, and owner information “in a conspicuous place” for the absent vehicle driver.
- Duty to Report an Accident Resulting in Injury, Death, or Property Damage. This law, Georgia Code 40-6-273, requires that you must contact local law enforcement as quickly as possible following the accident. This applies if the property damage is over $500.
Know the Law, Then Get Some Help
Just about everyone charged with leaving the scene of an accident, or hit and run, has little or no understanding of the law and punishments for this offense. Unfortunately, once it has happened, this lack of understanding is no defense for what you did.
As an Alpharetta traffic violation defense attorney, I urge you to seek legal advice as soon as you are charged. This is not something you want to handle on your own. I have seen good people lose their licenses and even go to jail for leaving the scene of an accident when these penalties could have been lessened or even avoided entirely.
Contact me today for a free consultation at the Law Office of Scott Miller. I promise that you will get experienced, dedicated, aggressive defense of the charges against you.
