Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Coral Springs
As a Florida driver, it's important to understand why hit-and-run claims in Florida can be especially important. When someone drives away from an accident, they are leaving the scene and avoiding responsibility for their actions and potentially leaving other drivers at risk of additional harm or damage.
Hit-and-run accidents in Florida can have serious consequences for the driver, including criminal penalties and civil liability for damages. Filing a claim for a hit-and-run accident in Florida is an essential part of seeking justice in such cases, which is why it's important to understand the process before filing.
By understanding the details of a hit-and-run claim, you can be sure that you are taking the necessary steps to ensure justice is served. Here's what you should know:
- To file a hit-and-run claim in Florida, you must be able to prove that the other driver was responsible for the accident, and their identity must be known.
- You must be able to provide evidence that proves that you were injured as a result of the accident.
- You must determine what damages deserve compensation, such as medical bills or property damage.
- You must be familiar with state laws governing hit-and-run claims.
- You should seek legal advice from an experienced attorney if necessary.
With this knowledge of hit-and-run claims in Florida, you can take the necessary steps to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions—and protect yourself from additional harm or damage.
What Is a Hit and Run Accident?If you’ve been in a car accident where the driver that caused it left the scene without giving any information, you may be dealing with a hit-and-run. This is a serious crime but also complicates filing an insurance claim.
When filing a claim, make sure to include as much information as possible, such as your name and contact information, the vehicle make and model, its registration or insurance info (if available), photos or videos of the scene of the accident if you have them, and other relevant details.
Filing a hit-and-run claim can be tricky. That’s why it helps to look up the Florida statutes concerning hit and runs before starting your claim. Knowing what to expect and what may be available to you can help ensure that your claim is successful—and help you get all the compensation you deserve for any damages incurred from the accident.
What Should I Do If I Am Involved in A Hit and Run Accident?If you find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Florida, it's important to take the following steps to ensure that you can file a successful insurance claim:
- Immediately stop your vehicle, get out to check for any damage, and take pictures.
- Call 911, report the incident and ask for the police or highway patrol.
- Exchange information with other drivers or witnesses (such as their contact and insurance information). Ensure you write down details about the other driver's car (e.g., make, model, license plate number).
- Write down as many details about the incident as possible - even small details like the time and location are important.
- Contact your insurance provider to report the accident and inform them that it was a hit-and-run incident so they can assess your coverage options and provide any guidance you may need.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer if necessary if any serious injuries or damages are sustained in your hit-and-run claim.
Yes, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident in Florida. Under Florida law, it is a felony to leave the scene of an accident if there was an injury to another person or if there was property damage greater than $50; it is considered a misdemeanor if you leave the scene and there is no injury or property damage of less than $50.
Any time you are involved in an accident, you must stop at the scene and provide your name, contact information, and vehicle registration number to all other parties involved. If you fail to do this, you can be convicted of leaving the scene of an accident and face various punishments such as fines and even jail time.
Therefore, it is important to assess all circumstances before deciding whether or not to report a hit-and-run claim to avoid any possible legal repercussions. You should consider whether or not doing so will benefit you statutorily or whether it will place any members of your family at risk for civil liability. Additionally, consider the severity of any resulting damages before contacting law enforcement or filing a claim with your insurance company.
What Are the Penalties for A Hit and Run Accident?As a driver in Florida, you may wonder what the penalties are for a hit-and-run accident. After all, you don't want to make the same mistake twice — and understanding the consequences is an important step in avoiding them. Here are a few things to know about the penalties for hit and run in Florida:
Criminal fines
If convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, you could face criminal charges and fines up to $5,000. Depending on the severity of your offense, jail time may also be imposed.
License suspension
You may have your license suspended or revoked if found guilty of hit and run. In addition to this penalty, your insurance premiums could increase significantly due to increased risk factors. This can have long-term financial implications that should be considered before filing a claim.
You may also face personal liability if found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. The injured party has the right to pursue damages through civil lawsuits for any financial losses incurred due to medical expenses or lost wages associated with their injury caused by your negligence.
Ultimately, any charges related to hit-and-run accidents can have serious consequences that could stay with you for years. Be sure to check your state laws before considering filing a claim, as it is important that you understand all legal aspects before proceeding with any course of action.
Can I Sue the Driver Who Hit Me in A Hit and Run Accident?Yes, you can sue the driver who hit you in a hit-and-run accident in Florida. The first thing to do is to report the incident to the police. Once you have filed a police report, the next step will be determining if you have uninsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy covering hit-and-run accidents. This coverage will compensate for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, then you may be able to bring a claim against the driver who caused the hit-and-run accident. In this case, it is important to do your research thoroughly to know what evidence is needed to prove your case. You should consult with an attorney specializing in hit-and-run claims in Florida as soon as possible so your case can be properly evaluated and possibly filed.
How Can I Protect Myself from Hit and Run Accidents?Even if you take steps to protect yourself from hit-and-run accidents, such as making sure you have your license plate visible, some things are still out of your control. In Florida, you can't always rely on the other driver having insurance. That's why it's important to be prepared for a hit-and-run situation, just in case. So what can you do? Here are some tips for protecting yourself:
- Ensure your headlights and taillights are in good condition so other drivers can see you more easily.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night or when visibility is poor.
- Keep a record in your vehicle of any damage in case of a hit-and-run accident.
- Report the accident immediately and write down all details you remember, including license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and insurance information (when applicable).
- If possible, take photos or video recordings of the accident scene; this will help provide valuable evidence if needed later on.
- Do not admit fault to the other driver; leave that up to law enforcement or insurance companies to determine who is at fault.
- Contact an attorney specializing in hit-and-run cases; they’ll help ensure all questions have been answered and that all evidence has been properly collected before filing a claim.
Yes, you can report a hit-and-run accident after the fact, but acting fast is important. For starters, the statute of limitations for filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida is just two years, so if too much time has passed since the accident occurred, your chances of making a successful claim are greatly reduced.
Also, when reporting a hit-and-run accident after the fact, you have to be prepared to provide as many details as possible about the incident—you'll need to include information about the date, time and location of the accident, as well as any details about what happened before and after. The more information you can provide when filing your claim, the more likely you will succeed.
Finally, consider why you are filing for a hit-and-run claim after the fact: Did you know the other driver's identity in the accident? Did any witnesses provide details that can help with your claim? All these questions must be considered before filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I Am Involved in A Hit and Run Accident?Knowing when you need a lawyer is important for hit-and-run claims in Florida and throughout the U.S. Not every instance will require one, but there are some cases where it would be wise to hire one.
For starters, if there are serious or fatal injuries related to the incident or you’re facing criminal charges, it’s best to have a lawyer represent you in court. Additionally, if you don’t feel comfortable navigating the complex legal process on your own and don’t have the resources to do so—or find yourself needing an expert opinion—consulting with an attorney should be on your list of considerations.
In any case, here are some things that can help:
- Contacting an experienced lawyer who specialized in hit-and-run claims and accidents.
- Exploring all legal options available to you.
- Getting help with filing for claims.
- Seeking the compensation, you may be entitled to for damages caused by an accident.
- Protecting your rights under Florida law against the liable parties involved in your accident.
- Assessing any punitive damages that could go along with a hit-and-run accident.
- Addressing complex insurance issues that might arise out of a hit-and-run situation.
So, you witnessed a hit-and-run accident and don't know what to do? Don't worry; it's a common problem.
Here are a few steps you need to take:
- Make sure everyone involved is safe, including yourself.
- Call the police immediately and provide as much information as possible—the make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle in question, the approximate speed of the vehicle when it left the scene, any distinguishing characteristics of the driver or passengers, etc.
- Gather contact information from any other witnesses on the scene; they might be able to help with your case down the line.
- Take photos and/or video of the car and its license plate number (if possible). This can be helpful later if you need evidence that your claim is legitimate.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible; even if you think you're okay and don't have any visible injuries right now, it's important to get checked out in case something isn't immediately obvious or gets worse later on.
- Write down everything that happened: what happened before and after impact; where you were; who was present; etc., so you have an accurate record of the events for later use in your claim or lawsuit (if necessary). This can be useful when giving testimony at trial or settlement negotiations down the line.
Yes! You are entitled to compensation if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Florida. However, getting the compensation you deserve can be difficult since there is no at-fault party for you to file a claim against.
Underinsured Motorist CoverageIf you were not at fault for the accident and do not know who caused the accident, your insurance company may be able to step in and provide you with underinsured motorist coverage, which can help to cover your medical expenses and other damages.
Uninsured Motorist CoverageUninsured motorist coverage is similar to underinsured motorist coverage, but it applies when the driver responsible for the accident has no insurance or cannot be located after an accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage through your insurance policy, this can help to compensate you for any damages sustained in the hit-and-run accident.
Filing a Claim With Your Insurance CompanyWhen filing a claim with your insurance company, make sure that you have documentation of any medical expenses incurred due to the accident and evidence of any other losses that occurred due to the hit and run. This will help your insurance company assess how much compensation is owed to you.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?If you get in an accident with a hit-and-run driver, you may be looking for compensation for the damages to your vehicle or your medical bills. In these cases, you may want to consider getting uninsured motorist coverage (UMC).
UMC is an add-on to your car insurance policy that covers you if the driver responsible for an accident doesn't have any insurance of their own. This type of coverage is particularly useful for hit-and-run drivers because they often don't have insurance.
When filing a claim with UMC, it's important to remember a few key things:
- UMC will only cover losses sustained in an accident where the other driver cannot be identified.
- UMC will not cover pain and suffering or any other non-economic losses, such as damage to your vehicle or property.
- You must prove that the damages are partially due to the other driver's fault for coverage to kick in.
- Your insurer may require proof of financial responsibility from the other driver before they can pay on your behalf.
- Every state has its minimum requirements for UMC, so look into these before filing your claim.
Uninsured motorist coverage can be very helpful when dealing with a hit-and-run driver, as it can help provide some financial relief if you cannot identify who was responsible for the accident. Remember that each state has its own guidelines for coverage, so make sure you research before filing a claim with UMC.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Hit And Run Lawyers Serving Coral SpringsHave you been involved in a hit-and-run accident? If so, you need experienced legal representation right away. Frankl Kominsky lawyers serving Coral Springs specialize in hit-and-run cases and have an impressive track record of success. Our attorneys are seasoned professionals who have dedicated their careers to protecting the rights of people involved in auto accidents.
At Frankl Kominsky, we know how these types of cases can be complex and expensive. We strive to provide each client with personalized service that meets their needs. With a team of highly qualified attorneys and decades of experience, we can help you navigate the process from start to finish.
We understand how stressful a hit & run case can be, so we work hard to make the experience as easy for you as possible. We will handle all aspects of your case, including filing the necessary paperwork, collecting important evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing you in court if needed. Our attorneys will provide personalized advice throughout the process to ensure all decisions are made with your best interests in mind.
If you've been involved in a hit & run accident, don't wait any longer—contact Frankl Kominsky at (561) 800-8000 today to get the legal representation you need.