Fort Lauderdale Hit and Run Accident Lawyers

If you were the victim in a hit and run car accident, this can make you feel even more overwhelmed than any other type of car accident. You may be left confused as to what your rights are and what your next moves should be. Car accident lawyers can walk you through the process, helping ensure that you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve after suffering from the consequences of a hit and run car accident. This article will help you understand hit and run car accidents and how to ensure that you improve your outcomes.

Why Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident

It’s really hard to determine what’s in someone’s mind when they leave the scene of a car accident. However, there are some answers that are common when asked why they left the scene of an accident. These reasons include:

• The driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The driver didn’t have insurance.
• The driver was not legally allowed to drive due to a suspended or non-valid license or because they didn’t have a license.
• The driver was experiencing road rage.
• The driver didn’t know there was a collision.
• The driver was scared about going to jail.

The problem is that none of these are valid reasons or excuses for leaving the scene of a car accident. This only makes matters worse. Not only does this leave both drivers with uncertainty about what is going to happen next, but this can also cause you to face criminal charges and legal claims that can be worse than if you just stayed on the scene of the accident. Even if the driver was not found, a victim can still get help pursuing compensation.

What Happens if a Driver Leaves the Scene of an Accident?

In Florida, it is a crime to leave the scene of a car accident that causes property damage, injuries, or death. If a driver leaves the scene of a car accident where there was any type of damage or injury, they could face criminal charges. If the car accident resulted in death, the driver could face felony charges. Drivers who were involved in a car accident must stay on the scene and do the following:

• Provide their vehicle registration, address, and full name to the other driver and the police officer.
• If the other driver requests, they must show their license or permit.
• Offer “reasonable assistance” to any person who was injured in the car accident, including offering to call emergency services.

In some cases, a police officer will not come to the scene of the car accident. If this happens, it is the responsibility of one of the drivers to report the car accident to the police by going to the nearest station.

What to Do if You Were in a Hit and Run Accident

It’s very normal to be confused about what you should do next after a hit and run car accident and how you can get extremely overwhelmed about this situation. The good news is that there are things that you can do immediately after your accident that could help you get the compensation that you deserve. The first thing that you need to do after you were a victim of a hit and run car accident is to remain on the scene and call emergency services. You should do what you can to help others who are injured, but you should wait patiently for help to come. Try to remember any characteristics of the car that hit you as you possibly can to help the police identify the other driver or car. If there are witnesses, try to get as much information as you can from them including any contact information so that you can be contacted later by police or your lawyer. Do not leave the scene, if possible, until the police officer tells you that you can. Remember, never go after the other driver as much as you want to. You need to be as calm as possible and chasing after the driver can make matters worse for you.

You do not have to feel so hopeless when it comes to your hit and run claim. Just because the other driver decided to ignore their responsibilities, both legally and as a human being, that doesn’t mean that there is no hope for you. The other driver is still out there and with enough information and cooperation from you and any witnesses, the police can find the other driver. Once they catch the driver, they will not only face criminal charges, you can also file a claim against them. With the right car accident lawyer, you can get the compensation that you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other punitive damages that were as a result of their actions.

You should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your hit and run accident. These are complex cases, far more complicated than other types of car accidents. This can be especially difficult if your insurance denies your claim or even accuses you of fraud. A car accident lawyer that has a lot of experience in this area can be a great help to you as you navigate this difficult and stressful case.

Hit and Run Accidents as a Pedestrian

Hit and run car accidents can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians, who get the full brunt of the impact during a car accident. In the best-case scenario, the pedestrian-only has some bruising or a broken bone. In the worst-case scenario, this can cause the death of the pedestrian. No matter what, these cases still require the driver to stay on the scene of the accident.

Hit and Run Accident Claims

In Florida, this is considered a no-fault insurance state. This may seem like a negative, but this can be a good thing in cases of hit and runs. This means that your insurance can cover your claims even if the police don’t find the other driver. However, if you don’t have insurance you can end up having a more difficult time getting the recovery that you deserve. If the police can catch the other driver, you will get the compensation that you deserve with the help of a local car accident lawyer.

If someone died in the hit and run accident, there can be a John Doe lawsuit filed which is directed towards the unknown driver. In these cases, if the victim didn’t have insurance or was underinsured, this can get them compensation as long as it doesn’t exceed the limits of the policy holder’s plan. This type of lawsuit is important because it helps the victim or their surviving family to get a lawsuit without risking losing the missing statute of limitations. If the statute of limitations passes, then the driver cannot be sued if they are eventually caught.

There are a few ways to recover from a hit and run accident. You can go through your PIP policy or the UM/IM coverage. When recovering damages from the PIP policy, you are required to have at least $10,000 in coverage. If you suffered from injuries and sought out treatment within 14 days of the accident, PIP covers:

• 80% of the medical expenses, up to the limit of the policy.
• 60% of your lost wages or income.
• $5,000 for death benefits.

If your damages exceed the policy limit, a car accident attorney can help you out.

You are not required to have UM/IM insurance, but car insurance companies are required to have this option. If you do have this coverage, you can seek out additional compensation from your insurance company. If the other driver has been discovered by the police, you can also sue them for damages. You have options and a personal injury lawyer that specializes in car accidents can be the best asset to you.

 

 

Car accident lawyers are essential in ensuring that you get the best possible outcome for your case. They will take a close look at your case, helping you see what options you have available to you. In addition to any evidence that you have for your case, including pictures of the accident and your injuries as well as a police report, the legal team will search out additional evidence to make your case stronger. They will negotiate with the car insurance company to try getting you the best outcomes for your case. While the goal is to settle out of court, a car accident lawyer should be ready and willing to fight for you at trial if needed.

Our team of Fort Lauderdale personal injury car lawyers will work hard for you. We offer a free legal consultation, which means you can get valuable information at no risk to you. If you turn to us for your hit and run car accident claim, our team will fight for you with your best interests at heart. Hit and run accidents can be complex cases, but the right team can help you get the compensation that you deserve. If you were in a hit and run accident, contact us today to see how we can help you.