Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Miami Gardens
Hit-and-run accidents are becoming increasingly common in Miami Gardens, Florida, with over 2,000 reported in the last year alone. A hit-and-run occurs when someone runs into another person's vehicle and then flees the scene without leaving any contact information or taking responsibility for their actions. In such cases, it's important to know what steps you need to take to ensure you can file a successful claim.
In Florida, victims of hit-and-run accidents are legally entitled to seek compensation from their insurance company for medical bills or property damage resulting from the accident. However, successfully filing a claim can be complex and involves several steps.
It's important to understand these steps so that you can maximize your chances of getting the coverage that you deserve. Knowing how to file a hit-and-run claim will also help you better protect your rights as an accident victim if you ever face such an incident in Miami Gardens.
What Should I Do If I Am Involved in A Hit-and-Run Accident?If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, the most important thing you can do is stay calm and remain at the scene. Even if you are not physically injured, trying to get as much information as possible is important. If possible, get the license plate number of the other car and take pictures or videos of the scene. If there are any witnesses, try to get their contact information.
If you can find out who was driving the other car, it is best to file a police report. In Florida, all drivers must stop after an accident with property damage or injury. Failing to do so is considered a hit-and-run offense and will result in penalties such as fines, jail time, or even license suspension.
Contact your insurance company immediately if you have received property damage from a hit-and-run accident. Your insurance provider will be able to provide more information about what kind of claim you should file for the damages caused by the incident. In some cases, uninsured motorist coverage may cover your costs if you cannot identify who was responsible for the crash.
How Can I Identify the Other Driver in A Hit-and-Run Accident?When you're involved in a hit-and-run accident, it can be difficult to identify the other driver. Luckily, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success in filing a claim.
Talk to WitnessesIf you have any witness testimonies from people who saw the accident take place, reach out and get their information. Witnesses could provide key details such as the make and model of the vehicle that fled the scene and its license plate number.
Check Surveillance FootageIn many cases, surveillance footage may be available if the accident occurred near business establishments or private residences. Take a trip around the area and ask if anyone has a video of what happened. This could give you valuable information about the other driver, such as their physical description or what they were wearing at the time of the incident.
Contact Law EnforcementIf all else fails, contact law enforcement authorities in your area who may have knowledge of similar hit-and-run accidents or be able to track down leads on any suspects. Doing this ensures that your case is thoroughly investigated and that all possible evidence is collected for your claim.
Who Should I Contact After a Hit-and-run Accident?If you've been in a hit-and-run accident, you may be wondering who to contact—especially if the other driver has fled the scene. The first step is to immediately contact the police so they can start looking for the other driver. Even if you don't think any damage occurred, it's important to call the police so they can document what happened—which will help when filing an insurance claim later on.
If you can, provide as much detail as possible about the other car, like their license plate number or the make and model of the car, along with a description of the driver if you remember one.
You should also contact your insurance company next; they'll be able to provide advice and will likely assist in helping you file your claim. They may even have resources to help locate the other driver, such as private investigators or special tracking services.
Finally, get in touch with a lawyer experienced in hit-and-run cases—they'll be able to advise you on how best to proceed, given your particular circumstances. An experienced lawyer will also be able to tell you if any additional steps need to be taken before filing an insurance claim or filing suit against the other driver involved in the accident.
When Should I Call the Police After a Hit-and-run Accident?It's important to know when to report a hit-and-run accident in Florida. First, if there has been any property damage or injury to anyone, you must call the police immediately. You must also file a report with the police if you weren't present when the accident occurred but believe it is related to your vehicle.
For an insurance company to investigate a hit-and-run accident claim in Florida, it needs to be reported within 24 hours of when it occurred. The sooner you call the police after an accident, the better chance there is of finding out who was responsible for causing the damage.
If no one witnessed the hit-and-run incident and you don't have any other information that could lead to identifying who was driving, you still need to report it. This will help establish that you had nothing to do with causing the damages and weren't negligent in leaving your car unattended at the time of the accident.
When filing your report with the police, include as much detail as possible about what happened and the damage your vehicle sustained. To help make sure that all details are noted correctly in the report, bring pictures of your car before and after its repair so that these can be included for reference.
What Information Should I Gather at The Scene of a Hit-and-run Accident?If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may wonder what information you should gather to file a successful claim. Gathering the right information at the scene can be critical to filing and resolving your claim.
The most important thing to do is to call 911 as soon as possible, as this will help to ensure that an accurate police report is filed for your accident. Additionally, there are certain pieces of information that you should also collect at the scene. This includes:
- The license plate number of the other vehicle (if possible)
- A description of the other vehicle, including make, model, and color
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Photos or videos of the scene and any damages sustained in the accident
- Your medical records related to the accident, if any
Gathering this information at the scene will help ensure your claim is properly evaluated. It is also important to remember that all claims must be reported to your insurance company within a certain time frame (typically 24-48 hours) after an accident has occurred, so it is essential to act quickly.
How Can Eyewitnesses Help My Hit-and-run Accident Claim?If you're the victim of a hit-and-run, one way to help your case is to find eyewitnesses. If you could get someone's information at the accident scene, they can help you with your claim by providing an account of what happened.
In some cases, it might even be possible for the eyewitness to provide you with a description of the driver or the vehicle's license plate number that caused the accident. Having such details can go a long way in helping prove your case.
Here are some things to consider when working with eyewitnesses:
- Ask them if they will provide a statement or write down their account of what happened.
- Ensure they note any details about the driver or vehicle — such as how they were dressed, physical details, and any other unique characteristics they may have noticed in passing.
- Remind them that providing an accurate account is important and that their testimony could help make your case stronger.
- Make sure you thank them for their time and effort — it's always appreciated!
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident and the other driver is eventually found, knowing how to proceed with the insurance claim is important.
The first thing to do is to contact your insurance company and notify them that the other driver has been identified. Deciding how to proceed with the claim can be complicated, as you may have different options depending on your policy. Here are some tips that may help:
- Keep records of all conversations and correspondence related to your claim.
- Ask questions about what types of coverage you have and double-check your policy documents to understand exactly what the coverage includes.
- Consider whether it's possible that you or your insurance company might be able to settle out-of-court with the other driver or their insurer before resorting to litigation.
- Consult with a lawyer, if necessary, who can provide advice on how best to proceed in court and explain any potential legal issues or implications.
It's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident, even if you don't think you're hurt. That's because certain types of injuries, including internal bleeding and whiplash, may not immediately be apparent. Additionally, some symptoms may not appear until days or weeks later.
When you seek medical assistance immediately, you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to help you heal quickly and protect your legal rights in case of a lawsuit. It's also important to keep records of all doctor visits and treatments related to your injury to document any claims or lawsuits properly.
Another benefit of seeking medical attention is that it can help prove that the accident caused your injury. It's important to note that most states have statutes of limitations for filing claims related to hit-and-run accidents, so it is best to file for compensation as soon as possible after seeking medical attention.
How Can I Pay for Medical Bills After a Hit-and-run Accident?If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Florida, you may have a few options when it comes to paying for medical bills. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to make a claim against your insurance policy or file an uninsured motorist claim with the at-fault driver's insurer—if they can be identified.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) InsuranceThe state of Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage of at least $10,000. This coverage can help pay your medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, dental treatment, X-rays, and other treatments related to the accident up to the limits of your policy.
Uninsured Motorist CoverageUninsured motorist coverage is also required in Florida for all drivers. If you have this type of coverage and can identify the driver who caused your injuries, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim with their insurance company to recover medical expenses.
Out-of-Pocket CostsIf you cannot identify the driver who caused your injury or if the cost of your medical bills exceeds the limits of your own PIP or uninsured motorist coverage, you may be responsible for any additional costs out of pocket. It is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney if this is the case so you can review all available options for recovering compensation for your injuries.
What Damages Can I Recover in A Hit-and-run Accident Claim?If you've been in a hit-and-run accident, what kind of damages can you recover? There are several types. Depending on the severity of your accident, linked to your individual state's laws and regulations, damages can include:
- Medical expenses: Whether it's medical bills for physical injuries or even emotional distress, these costs can be included in a hit-and-run claim.
- Property damage: It doesn't just stop at medical bills; if you've been in a hit-and-run accident and sustained property damage (like damage to your car), you may be eligible for property damage compensation. This can also include items like lost wages or income.
- Pain and suffering: If the accident has left you with physical discomfort or emotional distress, these can also fall under "pain and suffering" damages.
It's worth noting that each state has its laws regarding personal injury damages—so even if you have grounds for a valid claim, by law, you may be eligible for certain damages in Florida but not in other states. That said, don't hesitate to talk to an experienced attorney about the kind of compensation available to you from a successful hit-and-run claim filed in Florida.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Hit-and-run Accident Claim in Florida?When filing a hit-and-run accident claim in Florida, you'll first want to know the statute of limitations.
Generally, in Florida, the statute of limitations for a car accident is two years. However, if you're filing a hit-and-run claim with your insurance company, they may require you to file sooner. It's important to note that this timeline may differ depending on your policy and provider — so be sure to check with them before filing a claim.
If you're looking to file a lawsuit against another driver after the two-year period has expired, you cannot, as this two-year timeline applies in different ways when filing personal injury claims.
In cases such as these (when the other driver cannot be found or identified), you may still have options for compensation through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — so make sure to check with your policy provider or lawyer for details on what's available in these cases.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers - Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Miami GardensFor experienced advocacy and reliable legal counsel after a hit-and-run accident in Florida, look no further than Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers. Our law firm is committed to providing you with experienced legal representation. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured victims pursue their rightful compensation, and we understand the stress you are under after experiencing a hit-and-run accident.
If you want to talk with one of our knowledgeable attorneys about your options for filing a claim, don't hesitate to call us at (561) 800-8000. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions. A few of the issues we can help you navigate include the following:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
- Gathering proof of damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Representing your interests in court if necessary
You don't have to go through this alone. Trust the experienced team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers - Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Miami Gardens at (561) 800-8000 to guide you through this process and help ensure you receive a fair settlement for all applicable damages related to your hit-and-run accident in Florida.