Florida Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyers
Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida is a serious crime. Even in an ideal situation, a car accident can turn your world inside out. But when both drivers do not remain at the scene of an accident, your life can quickly become a waking nightmare. Between recovering from your injuries, dealing with insurance, and trying to resume your life, a hit-and-run accident can feel like too much to bear. Drivers who do not take responsibility for their actions should be punished.
If you have been seriously injured in a hit-and-run — or have lost a loved one — give the attorneys at Farah & Farah a call today. There are severe penalties for committing a hit-and-run. Additionally, you may be eligible for compensation in a civil suit!
A Florida car accident attorney can help you right these wrongs. Contact the hit-and-run professionals at Farah and Farah today for your free case review.
How a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
You may think: “What good will a hit-and-run settlement do now? It won’t change what happened.” While there is no turning back time, a personal injury lawsuit recovery can go a long way in alleviating the immediate burdens you may be facing. Obtaining hit-and-run compensation from the at-fault party can assist with many complications, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor’s fees
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Long-term therapy, both physical and mental
But you must act quickly after a car accident. The clock starts ticking on your claim the moments directly after your crash. Evidence begins to fade almost immediately, witness memories grow foggy, and official reports get filed away—to say nothing of the statute of limitations counting down or actually catching the coward who struck you in the first place. Don’t lose your opportunity for just and fair compensation.
How Many Hit-and-Runs Happen a Year in Florida?
Across Florida, there has been an uptick in hit-and-runs in recent years. Here are some relevant statistics to paint a vivid picture of how dangerous hit-and-runs are:
- Florida experiences 11 percent of the nation’s pedestrian accidents each year.
- Across the U.S., over 60 percent of hit-and-run fatalities are pedestrians or bicyclists.
- One out of five pedestrian deaths involve hit-and-run accidents.
- In 2012, there were 67,968 hit-and-run accidents in Florida.
- South Florida accounts for 1/3 of hit-and-run accidents in the Sunshine State
What Causes Hit & Run Accidents?
At-fault drivers flee accident scenes for numerous reasons. Self-preservation is commonly involved. According to a 2018 study by AAA, the average hit-and-run driver is male with a history of DUI and license suspension.
Drunk drivers’ impaired judgment alone is enough to motivate them to flee, but they can also be motivated by the fear of getting caught. Drinking and driving can land drunk drivers in jail, and they face long prison sentences for fatal car accidents or accidents involving severe injuries.
Some hit-and-run drivers may have been texting or otherwise distracted. Distracted driving in Florida doesn’t carry a jail sentence, but if a distracted driving accident results in a severe injury or death, the district attorney may charge the driver with some form of homicide. The driver could also face severe civil penalties. The fear of repercussions could motivate distracted drivers to flee.
Aside from self-preservation, at-fault drivers may also flee from panic or because they lack awareness of their legal duty to stop. No matter the reason for fleeing, leaving the scene of an accident is a crime.
What Happens After a Hit and Run Accident?
Every driver is legally obligated to stop after being involved in a car accident in Florida. You may not leave the accident scene until after you have assisted the other drivers as needed and exchanged information. When an at-fault driver flees the scene, collecting compensation for injuries becomes more complicated.
All accidents are traumatizing experiences that have severe repercussions. As horrible as accidents can be, they can feel much worse when someone damages you or your vehicle and forgo accountability.
What To Do Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Accident
The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run are crucial. Here are some guidelines about what you should do after a hit-and-run:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Call 911, or scream for help. Injured bicyclists or pedestrians may need to remain still while others help them. Do not move until a first responder treats your wounds.
- If you are in a vehicle and are able to drive, move out of the flow of traffic.
- Write down anything you can remember about the car, the driver, the make, or the license plate. These details can get lost quickly after an accident.
- Ask any witnesses if they saw or remember anything. Make sure you get their contact information.
- Use a cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene.
- Cooperate with the police and help them with their report.
- Visit a doctor as soon as possible to document your injuries.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
When someone else’s carelessness severely injures you, the damages recoverable in a car accident case can help you pay your medical bills, recoup your lost wages, and receive some justice for your pain and suffering. These damages include the following:
- Economic damages compensate for your monetary losses, including property damage, current medical expenses, ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earning capacity, domestic services, and other verifiable losses.
- Non-economic damages compensate for losses to your quality of life, including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of bodily functions, and similar losses.
- Punitive damages may be available in limited cases when you have clear and convincing evidence of deliberate misconduct or gross negligence by the defendant.
A punitive damages award punishes the defendant and deters others from committing similar acts. If the hit-and-run driver is caught, your case may qualify for punitive damages. Call our experienced Florida hit-and-run lawyers at (877) 245-6707 for a free case evaluation.
What if the Police Can’t Find the Driver?
Unfortunately, this is a sad fact of many hit-and-run cases. Sometimes, criminals simply get away with it. But it is most certainly not the end of the line for you or your family. You may face an uphill battle, but you have options that we can assist with.
The first avenue to explore is your own insurance policy. Florida personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage may cover your medical bills and hospital expenses in the case of a hit and run. Also, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may kick in to cover medical bills and other losses related to the collision. This coverage can help while the search continues for the guilty party.
Generally speaking, insurance in Florida will cover 60 percent of your lost wages and 4/5ths of medical bills up to $10,000. If your medical bills are over $10,000, you may be able to make up the remaining difference with a bodily injury claim.
Even if the police can’t find the perpetrator, hiring a qualified hit-and-run car accident lawyer can help you find the best path forward.
How Long Does a Hit-And-Run Accident Settlement Take?
Every car accident case is unique. How long it takes to settle a car accident case can vary from a few weeks to a few years. Hit-and-run claims have the added delay of attempting to find the driver. A police investigation will ensue. However, our attorneys will investigate as well while cooperating with law enforcement.
Contact a Florida Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorney at Farah & Farah
At Farah & Farah, we understand how devastating a personal injury or wrongful death caused by a negligent driver can be, especially if the at-fault party is still at large. We have had decades of experience helping victims in similar situations and are prepared to use every resource at our disposal.
The experienced legal team at Farah & Farah’s can help you evaluate your hit-and-run claim and pursue legal action. You may be entitled to financial coverage through your insurance company. Do not hesitate to contact Farah & Farah to discuss your options and to secure your rightful compensation.
For a no-cost consultation, call (877) 245-6707 or schedule your free case review now . at our nearest Florida Hit-and-Run law office. We have offices throughout the state, including in the following locations:
How a Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Can Help
How Many Hit-and-Runs Happen a Year in Florida?
What Causes Hit & Run Accidents?
What Happens After a Hit and Run Accident?
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
What if the Police Can’t Find the Driver?
How Long Does a Hit-And-Run Accident Settlement Take?
Contact a Florida Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorney at Farah & Farah
free case review
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