Hit & Run Accident Lawyers Serving Miramar

When it comes to hit-and-run accidents in Miramar, Florida, you should care for two major reasons. First, it's illegal to leave the scene of an accident without stopping to secure your information and that of any other involved parties.

Second, if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages or medical costs related to the incident—but only if you file a claim with the proper authorities.

Knowing how to navigate a hit-and-run claims process in Florida can help protect you legally and financially. Here are some key things to remember:

  • You have up to four years from the accident to file a claim with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
  • All information related to an accident must be included in an affidavit filed within ten days of the accident (if minor injuries are sustained) or 30 days (if serious injuries are sustained).
  • You must inform your insurance company immediately so they can start processing your claim as soon as possible.
  • If there is no suspect identified in relation to the hit-and-run incident, then there is still recourse—you may be able to seek uninsured motorist coverage from your insurance company.

By understanding these key points about hit-and-run claims in Florida, you can ensure that any legal or financial losses become manageable through secure compensation processes.

What If the Other Driver in A Hit and Run Accident Was Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol?

If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, and the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can be difficult to prove fault. However, as the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to have your damages covered by your insurance policy if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

If you cannot identify the driver but suspect they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, it is important to document as much evidence as possible.

This includes taking photos of any damage at the scene, obtaining witness statements, and obtaining video footage from nearby surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident. This information can help build your case against an unidentified driver for damages.

Can I Be Sued If I Was Involved in A Hit and Run Accident?

Yes, if you are found to be at fault in a hit-and-run accident, you can be sued for damages the other party sustained. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, that insurance may cover your liability. However, it is important to note that no matter how much coverage you may have, there are limits to what your policy will pay out.

You can also be criminally charged if law enforcement can identify the driver at fault in a hit-and-run accident. Depending on the state and circumstances of the accident, criminal charges could include leaving the scene of an accident with property damage or injury, driving without a license or registration, criminal negligence, reckless driving and more.

To reduce your chances of being held liable for damages or criminal charges in a hit-and-run claim in Florida, it is important to take proactive steps to demonstrate your innocence or responsibility for the accident as soon as possible.

Can A Hit and Run Accident Affect My Driving Record?

You might be wondering if a hit-and-run accident can affect your driving record. The answer is yes, it can. In Florida, any hit-and-run accident resulting in property damage or injury will stay on your driving record for three to five years, depending on the severity of the incident.

Additionally, if you're cited for leaving the scene of an accident or negligent driving connected to a hit and run, these citations can also affect your driving record. For example, a DUI charge from a hit-and-run incident would stay on your record for seventy-five years. Needless to say, this is something you should take seriously.

Any hit-and-run incident that results in injury or death could lead to criminal charges such as vehicular homicide or manslaughter. These charges carry very strict penalties—including jail time—so it's important to speak with an attorney before making decisions or filing a claim.

What Should I Do If I Hit a Parked Car and There Is No One Around?

If you have hit a parked car and no one else is around, you are considered to be in a hit-and-run situation. In this case, the best thing to do is to stop and call the police. By law, you are required to stay at the scene until they arrive. If you leave, it's considered a crime. This being said, it's always best to stay until help arrives, even if no one else is around or you don't think the damage was too severe.

When talking with law enforcement, provide as much detail as possible about the accident and the car you hit. Include information such as:

  • Make and model of your car
  • Color of your car
  • Registration number of your car
  • What happened leading up to the accident
  • A description of any identifiable features or damages on the other vehicle

Even if there is no one else around at the time of impact, it's important that you file a report with the police so they can investigate further who might have been involved in this incident before filing a claim with your insurance provider. This will ensure that any claims that are subsequently made are legitimate and also make sure that liability can be established.

What Is the Penalty for Leaving the Scene of a Hit and Run Accident?

If you are found guilty of leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident, the penalties you will face depend on the severity of the damage caused. In Florida, a hit-and-run accident is classified as either felony or misdemeanor, depending on whether the accident resulted in serious bodily harm or death.

If your hit-and-run results in only property damage, you’ll likely face penalties for a misdemeanor offense. These may include:

  • A fine of up to $500
  • Imprisonment for up to 60 days
  • Suspension of your driver’s license for up to a year
  • Restitution if there were any damages caused by the accident

However, if someone is injured or killed as a result of your hit-and-run, then you could be charged with a third-degree felony or even worse. Penalties for this can include:

  • A mandatory minimum penalty of 4 years in prison
  • Fines up to $5,000
  • Permanent loss of driver’s license
  • Restitution if there were any damages caused by the accident
What Evidence Can I Gather After a Hit and Run Accident?

In the unfortunate circumstance that you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, there is evidence that you can still gather. As soon as possible after the accident, try to get as much information as you can about the other vehicle.

License plate
If you remember the vehicle's license plate number, that is valuable information that can help in your case. You should also take note of the state in which it was registered.

Witnesses
If there were any nearby witnesses at the time of the accident, make sure to get their contact information to call upon them for testimony if needed. This will help prove your case and offer a reliable account of what happened during the accident.

Surveillance footage
Most businesses have security cameras, so if anyone was nearby who may have caught something on tape, it would be beneficial to your case. You should also ask for any traffic surveillance footage from nearby intersections or cameras on traffic light poles. Any connections between physical evidence and video evidence can help fortify your case even further.

Photos Taking pictures of what occurred immediately after an accident is very important in helping build your insurance claim and the case against a driver who left you behind at the scene. These photos should include damage done to each car involved and any other objects or surfaces (such as a telephone pole or tree) damaged in the crash.

Can I Still Receive Compensation If I Don't Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage in A Hit and Run Accident?

You may still be able to receive compensation in a hit-and-run accident if you don't have uninsured motorist coverage. In Florida, like most states, hit-and-run accidents are treated as uninsured motorist coverage cases. That means if the other driver is not found and you don't have uninsured motorist coverage, you may still be able to receive compensation from your own insurance company.

The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the type of policy you have and the specific circumstances of your accident. Generally speaking, a personal injury protection (PIP) policy will cover most medical expenses related to the accident without regard for who is at fault, while a liability policy covers property damage and certain bodily injuries for which someone else is responsible.

Depending on the extent of your injuries and losses sustained as a result of the accident, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against the other party or their insurer for pain and suffering damages or lost wages.

No matter what type of insurance coverage you have or what kind of compensation you seek, it's important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you explore all options available under Florida law. A knowledgeable attorney can ensure all deadlines are met and all paperwork is completed correctly, so your claim has the best chance of success.

What Is the Difference Between a Hit and Run Accident and A Failure to Stop Accident?

You probably already know the basics: if you’re involved in a Florida hit-and-run accident, it means that you were involved in an accident and the other person left the scene. But did you know there’s a difference between a hit-and-run accident and a failure to stop?

Hit and Run
A hit-and-run is when the person who caused the accident does not stop or render aid. This could mean anything from driving away without exchanging information to leaving after crashing into your vehicle without offering assistance.

Failure to Stop
Failure to stop is when the driver of an involved vehicle doesn't exchange information as legally required. While this is technically against the law, there are often extenuating circumstances in which this can happen; for instance, if someone doesn't realize they hit your car or if they don't have their license with them at the time of the collision.

One important step after being involved in any car accident is to obtain as much information as possible about all parties involved, but it's especially important if you believe you were involved in a hit-and-run or failure-to-stop situation. Knowing who was responsible can give you peace of mind moving forward with a claim.

What Is the Best Way to Avoid a Hit and Run Accident?

The best way to avoid a hit-and-run accident is to prevent it from happening in the first place. To do that, you need to be mindful and aware of your surroundings while operating a vehicle. Here are a few tips:

  • Be vigilant - Don't let distractions like texting or talking on the phone get in the way of your driving. Keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to other drivers and vehicles around you.
  • Know the laws - Familiarize yourself with local laws and speed limits to ensure you drive responsibly and not endangering anyone involved.
  • Be prepared for a potential hit and run - If you’re ever involved in an accident, it’s important to stay calm, call 911, take pictures of any damages or injuries, get contact information from any witnesses, and report the incident as soon as possible.

With these tips in mind, you can help keep yourself safe on the roads while also protecting your rights if involved in an unfortunate hit-and-run accident – even in Florida, where there are considerable legal risks associated with driving without insurance or without paying for damages caused by other parties.

How Long Do I Have to File a Hit and Run Claim?

If you’re considering filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida, you generally have two years from the accident date to file your claim. This time frame applies to cases where the cause of action is based on bodily injury or property damage, like when you sue a driver for medical expenses or vehicle damage.

It’s important to remember that if a party is found guilty of a hit and run, they can still be held liable for damages even after the statute of limitations has expired. This means that even if two years are up, you can still sue the driver for a hit and run as long as they are convicted—so, make sure to cooperate with law enforcement as much as possible.

When filing a hit-and-run claim in Florida, there are a few points worth keeping in mind:

  • You must provide proof of the damages or injuries sustained from the accident.
  • It’s wise to cooperate with law enforcement whenever possible.
  • You have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim to preserve your rights.
What Should I Do If I Am the Victim of a Hit and Run Accident?

If you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident, the most important step you can take is to remain calm. No matter how frustrating or scary the incident may have been, keeping your cool is key to ensuring that you proceed in compliance with Florida traffic laws.

First and foremost, you'll need to move your vehicle out of harm's way if the accident didn't take place in a particularly safe spot. Once it is out of danger, immediately contact law enforcement so they can begin compiling evidence and filing a report on the incident.

When talking with law enforcement, be sure to provide them with as much detail as possible regarding what happened:

  • What was the make and model of the other vehicle?
  • What was its general color/appearance?
  • Was there any additional identifying information (license plate number, bumper stickers etc.) that could help locate the driver who fled?
  • What direction did they go when they left?
  • Did they leave any debris or cause any damage to your car during their departure?

Providing as many details as possible about what happened will give you a greater chance of recovering from damages. In addition, you should also check if anyone else witnessed the hit and run so that law enforcement can collect statements from them about what happened.

Contact Frankl Kominsky Hit And Run Lawyers Serving Miramar

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, the most important action you can take is to contact an experienced lawyer. Frankl Kominsky lawyers professional team is here to help so that you can get the best legal representation for your case. With decades of experience dealing with hit-and-run accidents, Frankl Kominsky's lawyers have a track record of success with these cases.

Our team is available to assist with the entire process and provide support when needed. We understand how stressful and draining a situation like this can be, so we strive to ensure our clients feel secure and well-informed throughout their cases. When it comes to our legal advice, no detail is too small or insignificant - making sure your case is heard in court and that justice is served.

The experienced lawyers at Frankl Kominsky Lawyers have the knowledge and resources to give you optimal legal representation. Call us today at (561) 800-8000 to see how we can help.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I have had experience in the past using other attorneys and law firms however the attorneys and staff at Frankl Kominsky are by far the best experience I have ever had. Thank you for everything this law firm has done. I recommend this law firm to everyone. By Bruce
★★★★★
This was an amazing injury law firm. Steven and his staff was available when I needed him and were always following up with me. I felt very fortunate that I found them. It is true that this law firm will never settle for less! I fully recommend this law firm to anyone that needs a hardworking and results oriented law firm. By Consuelo
★★★★★
Mr. Frankl came very highly recommended by two separate peers. I had a handful of lawyers to choose from and I chose him. He moved quick, no nonsense, and very effective. Before I knew it everything was handled and I had a serious burden lifted. If I ever have a problem again, I am going straight to him. It is that simple. By Kelly
★★★★★
I called Mr. Frankl and his firm about a motorcycle accident case and he helped me through the entire process. Mr. Frankl made me feel like my situation mattered to him and didn't treatment me like just another file in a file cabinet. He is smart, energetic and a true fighter. I am glad to call him my lawyer and I highly recommend Frankl Kominsky for your personal injury case. By A Personal Injury Client
★★★★★
Mr. Frankl was such an asset to have on my team while I picked up the pieces following an accident. Right from the beginning he assisted handling the insurance companies, rental car companies, auto body shops, police reports, it was incredible. His guidance allowed me to focus on the most important thing and that was my medical condition & recovery. Should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation do yourself a favor & trust this man & his expertise. By Damon