Atlanta Reckless Driving & Hit & Run Defense Lawyer

A Former Atlanta Prosecutor Now Fighting for the Accused

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious criminal offense in Georgia, and Atlanta law enforcement is skilled at locating drivers who left. Investigators use surveillance footage, witness accounts, and vehicle registration records, and they often identify suspects within days. At the Law Office of Matthew T. McNally, you’ll work directly with a former Assistant District Attorney who now defends the criminally accused throughout Atlanta and the surrounding metro area. He has personally built the same kinds of cases the state may now bring against you, and he uses that inside knowledge to construct defenses aimed at pursuing a favorable resolution to your charges. If you’ve been charged or know investigators are looking for you, don’t wait to get counsel in your corner.

Contact the Law Office of Matthew T. McNally today for a free initial consultation with an Atlanta hit and run defense attorney who has nearly 20 years of experience.

What Georgia Law Requires After an Accident

Under O.C.G.A. 40-6-270, any driver involved in an accident must stop at or return to the scene, provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number, show their driver’s license upon request, and render reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging transport to a physician or hospital. If an injured person is unconscious or unable to communicate, the driver must make every reasonable effort to contact emergency medical services and local law enforcement. The statute applies when:

• The accident caused injury to another person
• The accident resulted in the death of another person
• The accident resulted in damage to a vehicle driven or attended by another person

O.C.G.A. 40-6-272 separately covers striking an unattended vehicle: if the owner can’t be located, the driver must leave written notice with identifying and insurance information on the vehicle.

Potential Penalties for Hit & Run

Penalties depend on the severity of the accident. A first offense involving property damage or non-serious injury is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of $300 to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail. A second offense within five years raises the fine floor to $600. If the accident proximately caused death or serious injury, the charge becomes a felony with 1 to 5 years of imprisonment. A conviction also triggers a mandatory 12-month driver’s license suspension under O.C.G.A. 40-5-54, though early reinstatement may be available after 120 days upon completing a Risk Reduction Program. The injured party can also pursue civil damages independently of the criminal case.

When DUI & Hit & Run Charges Come Together

Drunk driving is often assumed to be the reason a driver left an accident scene. In reality, drivers leave because they’re uninsured, carrying unlawful items, driving on a suspended license, or simply overwhelmed by fear and panic in the immediate aftermath of a collision. When DUI and hit and run charges are brought together, the legal consequences compound and generally exceed what either charge would carry alone. Law enforcement routinely assumes impairment when a driver leaves the scene and investigates accordingly.

Atlanta-area units are trained to locate drivers involved in hit and run incidents. If investigators call or show up at your door, don’t answer their questions without an attorney present. Statements made at that stage can significantly harm your defense.

Your Rights After a Hit & Run Charge in Atlanta

These rights apply from the moment of first law enforcement contact, including phone calls and visits days after the accident.

• The Right to Remain Silent: You aren’t obligated to answer law enforcement questions without your attorney present. This applies at the scene, during a BOLO stop, and when investigators contact you afterward. A BOLO stop based on vehicle description alone is not a positive identification of the driver, and that distinction matters.
• The Right to Legal Representation: You have the right to an attorney to represent you and guide you through the process. Statements obtained in violation of Miranda can’t be used against you.
• The Right to a Fair Trial: You’re entitled to have your case evaluated by an impartial judge or jury, including the right to challenge surveillance footage, witness identifications, and vehicle damage analysis.
• The Right to Challenge Unlawful Searches: Evidence obtained through an unlawful search or seizure may be inadmissible and subject to a motion to suppress.
• The Right to Appeal: If you’re convicted, you have the right to appeal and seek review by a higher court.

Why a Former Atlanta Prosecutor Is the Right Defense Attorney for This Charge

Matthew McNally served as an Assistant District Attorney before turning to criminal defense. He knows how prosecutors gather and present evidence in Atlanta hit and run cases because he’s done it himself. That experience directly shapes how he builds defenses: he knows where the state’s case is strong, where it’s vulnerable, and how to press those weaknesses on behalf of his clients.

Matthew personally handles every case, with thousands of hours of courtroom experience and established relationships throughout the Atlanta criminal justice system. No case is passed off to another attorney. We also offer flexible payment plans, including zero-down financing with no interest for six months, so quality representation is more accessible when you need it most.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Call our firm to speak with an Atlanta hit and run defense attorney who has been on the other side of this fight.