Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Boca Raton
No matter where you live, car accidents can have a majorly damaging impact on our lives. But when it comes to a hit-and-run accident in Boca Raton, FL? The stakes are even higher.
After all, if someone hits your car and leaves the scene without leaving contact information or taking responsibility for the accident, you're essentially left out in the cold. That's why knowing the steps you should take before filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida is important.
Understanding how to navigate this tricky situation is critical to protect your rights and get the compensation you need for any losses incurred—not just car damage but also medical expenses related to injuries sustained by you or your passengers. Knowing how to file a hit-and-run claim in Florida will give you peace of mind and help ensure you don't end up with financial losses because of someone else's negligence.
What Should I Bring To My First Meeting With A Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer?If you've suffered an injury from a hit-and-run accident in Florida and decided to pursue legal action, your next step is to meet with a lawyer. Before your first meeting, it's important to gather all relevant documents and evidence to help prove your claim.
You'll need to bring the following items with you:
- A police report of the incident,
- Medical records, including diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis
- Any photos or video evidence of the incident
- Witness statements, if available
- Proof of any wages lost due to the accident
- Vehicle repair bills, if applicable
- Documentation of any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as transportation costs
- A list of all documents related to your insurance coverage (including uninsured motorist coverage)
By presenting all of this information upfront, you'll be able to give your lawyer a clear idea of what you're dealing with, and they can begin planning an effective course of action for pursuing legal action in your case.
How Can I Request A Police Report For A Hit-And-Run Accident?If you need a police report for a hit-and-run accident, you can call your local law enforcement agency or contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The police report will contain important information about the accident, including the date, time, location, and other details that can help you file a claim.
When you make your request, be sure to provide as much information as possible so that they can accurately locate the report. This includes:
- Date and time of the incident
- The location of the incident
- Description of any vehicles involved
- Name(s) of any witnesses
- Your name and contact information
Once you have requested a copy of the report, it can take up to 10 business days for them to process it. If you need it sooner, there may be an expedited service fee that you will need to pay. Once you have received your police report, keeping a copy for your records is important in case it is needed during the claim process.
What information should I provide to my hit-and-run accident lawyer?If you decide to pursue a hit-and-run accident claim in Florida, it's important to gather as much information and evidence as you can before meeting with a hit-and-run accident lawyer. To determine if your claim is viable, the lawyer is going to need key information, such as:
- Contact and insurance information for the driver of the other car
- Witness contact details, if available
- Police report number
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Any medical bills related to the incident
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Proof of lost wages, if applicable
- Any documents related to property damage
- Your insurance information, including your policy number
This readily available information will help your lawyer quickly assess your case and start filing the claim. It may also be helpful to bring copies of any emails or letters sent between you and the insurance company regarding your hit-and-run accident claim in Florida.
How Can I Pay For A Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer?So you're considering filing a hit-and-run accident claim in Florida and need to know what to do next. One of the most important things to consider is how you will pay for a hit-and-run accident lawyer.
Fortunately, a few options are available when it comes to paying for your legal representation. Here are a few common methods:
- Private Pay: This option allows you to pay your attorney's fees out of pocket. You can pay in full or set up an installment plan if necessary.
- Contingency Fee Arrangement: Under this arrangement, your lawyer takes on the legal case without any upfront payment from you but will receive a portion of any settlement or award as payment for their services.
- Legal Financing: This option lets you borrow money against your legal case to finance hiring an attorney and other related expenses.
- Legal Aid: If you meet certain income requirements, this option may be free or at reduced rates through organizations like Legal Aid of Florida and The Florida Bar Foundation's Lawyer Referral Service.
Whichever method you choose, make sure that it is suitable for your financial situation and allows you to get the representation you need for your hit-and-run claim in Florida.
What Is The Contingency Fee Agreement For Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyers?Before filing a lawsuit, you must understand the contingency fee agreement with your hit-and-run accident lawyer. This means that your attorney will not receive payment until your case is won and you receive compensation from the at-fault driver.
The contingency percentage usually ranges from 33% to 50%, depending on the agreement between you and your attorney. The amount may also depend on which state you live in. In Florida, for example, personal injury lawyers typically charge between 30%-50% for their services in a hit-and-run accident claim.
Once the court awards damages and payments to you, the lawyer will take their percentage from that sum awarded by the court. It's important to understand these details before making any decisions or signing any paperwork, as these details can help you plan accordingly if you win your case.
What Questions Should I Ask A Hit-And-Run Accident Lawyer During The Initial Consultation?Before filing your hit-and-run accident claim in Florida, contact an experienced attorney for a consultation. During your initial consultation, there are several questions you should ask the lawyer before you decide whether to move forward with legal representation:
- How much experience do you have handling hit-and-run cases? It's important to determine if the attorney has the expertise to handle your case.
- What is the process for filing a claim in Florida? Knowing what to expect during the claims process helps you understand what will be required of you throughout the case.
- Do I have to go to court? Sometimes, a settlement may be reached outside of court, but it's important to understand which option is best for your case.
- What is my legal responsibility in this situation? An experienced attorney can help explain any legal obligations or potential liabilities arising from this accident claim.
- How long will it take before I receive a settlement? Understanding an estimated timeline can help set expectations and provide peace of mind.
- What expenses can be included in my settlement? It's important to understand which damages may be included when calculating a settlement amount, such as medical costs or lost wages due to missed work days resulting from an injury sustained in an accident caused by a negligent or hit-and-run driver.
You'll want to be prepared when you meet with a hit-and-run accident lawyer for the first time. Being organized and having the right documents can help you get the best possible outcome from your case. To prepare for your meeting, you should:
- Organize all of your documents related to the accident, including police reports, medical records, bills, witnesses' contact information, repair estimates for any damaged property, photos of the accident scene, insurance policies, and any other relevant information.
- Write down a detailed account of what happened during the hit-and-run incident and any related conversations.
- Take notes on any conversations you have with insurance companies or other parties involved in the case.
- Collect all relevant information about yourself, such as your driver's license number, address, phone number, vehicle registration number, etc.
- Prepare a detailed list of questions to ask your attorney about filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida.
Being prepared will help ensure your attorney has all the facts they need to handle your case properly. It will also ensure you understand each step of the process to manage your expectations during this difficult time better.
Who Can File A Hit-And-Run Accident Claim In Florida?You must be the injured party in the accident or a representative of the injured party, such as a parent or legal guardian. You must take certain steps to receive compensation for damages resulting from the accident.
First, you must report the accident to your insurance company and provide information on the driver (if known). If you are filing a claim with the other driver's insurance company and they deny it, then you can file a claim with your own insurance company. Also, if you don't know who hit you or if they are uninsured, then you can file an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance company.
Second, if another party is identified as being at fault for damages resulting from the hit-and-run accident, that person must be named a defendant in your lawsuit. In addition, all parties involved in the accident will be contacted by their respective insurers for further investigation into what happened.
Finally, it is important to remember that no matter who is found at fault for the hit-and-run accident, all parties must cooperate with their respective insurers throughout the claims process. This will help ensure that everyone gets fair compensation for any damage caused by the incident.
What Evidence Do I Need To Gather For My Hit-And-Run Accident Claim?If you've been in a hit-and-run accident, you'll need to gather certain pieces of evidence to file a successful claim. Here are some of the most important things you should keep handy when filing your hit-and-run accident claim in Florida:
- Police report: A police report is essential when filing a hit-and-run accident claim. This will provide the details of the incident, including any information on the other vehicle and driver. Make sure to get a copy of the police report as soon as possible after the accident happens.
- Photos/videos: If possible, try to document the scene of the accident by taking photos and videos. This can help strengthen your case if there is any dispute about the fault.
- Witnesses: Having witness testimonies can be very helpful in establishing fault in a hit-and-run case. If any witnesses were present at the time of the accident, make sure to get their contact information so that they can be called upon if necessary.
- Medical reports: In addition to physical evidence, it's also important to have medical reports documenting any injuries resulting from the incident. These reports can be used to prove damages, such as pain and suffering resulting from your injuries.
- Insurance information: Make sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after your accident happens. They will be able to assist you with filing a claim and help you through the process so that you don't have to worry about it alone.
When you've been in a hit-and-run accident, it's important to document the scene of the incident. Taking pictures of the damage, the license plate, and any other identifying details can be a crucial factor in proving your case and receiving compensation from your insurance company.
Developing evidence to support your claim is especially important in hit-and-run cases because you may not know who was behind the wheel of the other vehicle. Any photos or videos of the accident can help investigators identify the driver and build your case.
Pictures are also a good way to keep a record of all parties involved, including witnesses—information that could be essential in receiving financial compensation for any medical bills or damages incurred during the accident.
In summary, documenting pictures after a hit-and-run accident can help you not only prove you were involved in an incident but also ensure that you get just compensation for any medical bills or damages incurred.
How Can I Prove My Damages in A Hit-and-run Accident Claim?If you've been in a hit-and-run accident, you may wonder how to prove your damages. After all, no one was around to witness the accident, and the other driver has disappeared!
Fortunately, Florida recognizes the difficulty of recovering compensation for hit-and-run accidents without an identified responsible party and provides several methods for victims to gain compensation. Here are some steps to take before filing a hit-and-run claim:
- Take pictures at the scene of the accident. If possible, get pictures from all angles and any relevant details about the other vehicle involved in the accident. You should also take pictures of any damage to your vehicle or property.
- Get contact information from anyone who might have witnessed what happened. Eyewitnesses can provide important information about what occurred in a hit-and-run accident should it come down to an insurance dispute.
- Gather documents like your medical and car repair bills that document damages incurred due to the accident. This evidence could be crucial in assessing how much money is owed and proving that you were injured or sustained losses due to another driver's negligence or intentional actions.
- Keep a detailed log of any medications taken and doctor visits connected with treatment for injuries suffered at the time of the crash is also important for driving home your claims for compensation later on if necessary
Having this evidence—or at least attempting to collect it—will go a long way toward proving damages when filing a claim for a hit-and-run accident in Florida.
What Should I Avoid Doing After A Hit-And-Run Accident?If you're involved in a hit-and-run accident in Florida, it's important to know what to do—and what not to do. Here's what you should avoid doing:
- Leaving the scene: Leaving the scene of the accident can be a serious legal violation. Even if you weren't at fault, you must stay until law enforcement arrives and take down your information.
- Not calling the police: Calling 911 is essential immediately after any accident. It is especially important after a hit-and-run, as your first step should be notifying the authorities so they can send out an officer to assess the scene and file an official report.
- Not exchanging information: Unless it puts you in danger, you are expected to exchange information with other drivers involved in the accident, including their name and phone number, insurance policy number, driver's license number, license plate number, and make/model/year of their vehicle. Write this information down or take a picture with your phone.
- Not collecting evidence: If you can safely do so at the scene of a hit-and-run accident (or afterward), take pictures or videos showing any damage to your car or any evidence that may help identify who was driving the other car involved in the accident. This includes damaged vehicles or property nearby — even shattered glass on the ground — that could be connected to the driver who left without providing their information or waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
If you're in Boca Raton and you've been involved in a hit-and-run, contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers - Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Boca Raton immediately. We are available 24/7 to answer any questions and help during this difficult time. We have years of experience dealing with hit-and-run accidents, so we know exactly what needs to be done to get you the compensation you deserve.
When you need help with a hit-and-run accident in Boca Raton, Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers is here for you. Contact us at (561) 800-8000 for a free consultation.