Hit and Run in Georgia: What to Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car or Flees (2026)

There's a special kind of anger in finding your parked car crunched with no note on the windshield — or watching taillights disappear after a collision. Frustrating as it is, your next moves decide whether insurance pays. Here's the Georgia playbook.

Quick Answer: After a Georgia Hit-and-Run

Document the scene immediately, look for witnesses and cameras, and report to police. In Georgia, leaving the scene is a crime under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270 — a misdemeanor (mandatory $300–$1,000 fine) for minor cases and a felony punishable by 1 to 5 years when the crash caused death or serious injury. If you hit a parked car, you must leave your info (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-271). If the fleeing driver is never found, your uninsured-motorist (UM) coverage usually pays.

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What should I do in the first 10 minutes?

1. Don't chase the driver. It's dangerous, and it can turn you into a hazard or a suspect.
2. Photograph everything: the damage, your car's position, paint transfer, debris, and the surrounding area.
3. Look for witnesses and get names and phone numbers.
4. Scan for cameras: nearby businesses, doorbell cams, traffic cameras, and dashcams in parked cars.
5. Write down anything you saw — partial plate, car color, make, model, direction of travel.

When should I report it to the police?

Report as soon as you can, ideally the same day. For a struck parked car, a prompt police report creates the official record your insurer will ask for. And if you have a partial plate or a camera lead, the sooner police have it, the better the odds of identifying the driver.

What's the timeline that protects my claim?

That camera step is time-sensitive — many security systems overwrite footage within a few days, so ask businesses to preserve it right away.

Who pays if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

Usually your own uninsured-motorist (UM) coverage, because an unidentified driver is treated like an uninsured one. This is the moment UM coverage earns its keep. Be ready to show your insurer the police report and your scene documentation — the stronger your record, the smoother the claim.

What are MY duties if I'm the one who hits a parked car?

Georgia takes this seriously. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-271, if you strike an unattended vehicle you must stop and either locate the owner or leave a written note with your name and address in a conspicuous place on the struck vehicle. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor — up to a $1,000 fine, up to 12 months, or both. Leaving a note isn't optional courtesy; it's the law, and skipping it is itself a hit-and-run.

What are the penalties for the driver who fled?

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, a driver who knowingly leaves the scene faces:

• Felony, 1 to 5 years in prison if the crash was the direct cause of death or serious injury.
• Misdemeanor with a mandatory $300–$1,000 fine (which can't be suspended or probated), and/or up to 12 months, for lesser injuries or damage to an occupied vehicle.

Those penalties, plus possible license suspension, are why identifying the driver matters — and why your photos, witnesses, and camera leads are so valuable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is hit and run a felony in Georgia? It can be. Leaving the scene of a crash that caused death or serious injury is a felony punishable by 1 to 5 years (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270). Minor cases are misdemeanors.

Do I have to leave a note if I hit a parked car? Yes. Georgia law requires you to locate the owner or leave your information (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-271); driving off can be charged as a misdemeanor.

Will my insurance go up if I use UM coverage for a hit-and-run? Policies vary. A not-at-fault UM claim is treated differently than an at-fault claim — check with your insurer.

What if I only have a partial plate? Give it to police anyway. Combined with a car color, make, and location, a partial plate can be enough to identify the driver.

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Related Georgia Guides

• [What happens if you don't report a Georgia crash?](/georgia/failure-to-report-penalties/)
• [Car accident without insurance in Georgia](/georgia/accident-without-insurance/)
• [How to document a Georgia car accident](/georgia/document-accident-checklist/)

Sources

• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270 (duty to stop; hit-and-run penalties — misdemeanor and felony)
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-271 (striking an unattended vehicle)
• O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11 (uninsured motorist coverage)

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about Georgia law as of the last updated date. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not account for the specific facts of your situation. Penalties and coverage rules vary with the facts and change over time. Confirm your situation with a licensed Georgia attorney.